Warm Teas

About a year ago, I decided I was going to start buying teas at the grocery store. I have spent more countless minutes standing in front of the tea section in the store than probably anywhere else. I try to imagine all the flavors married together and how I think I would like them... as well as, what could I add to these to make them better? So far, most of the teas that I am crazy about are different flavors blended with green tea. I drink them at night before I go to bed, in the mornings if I'm feeling a little under the weather, or if the weather itself is a little down, I simply whip up my favorite tea and cuddle up on the couch with my cats.

The first tea that I became hooked on is Versana Mango Green Tea. 

I squirt a little bit of honey in here... Mmmmmmm, delicious! The mango is in fact not overpowering in the tea, so if you don't think you like mango flavor, give this a try. Also, this is a great starter tea for those that don't have a palette for lavender or any of the other more exotic flavored teas. That's why this was my favorite for the longest time. 

However, another tea has now become number one in my heart - Lipton Green Tea Superfruit Red Goji and Raspberry Tea. 

All I use to make this tea even more tasty, is add a little honey and some sugar. That's it! It's such an easy way to unwind after a long day if a glass of wine isn't exactly what can fix your problems - which very rarely can it not fix mine! 

I encourage all of you to go out and try a least one of these two, or if you have a more specific flavor you like, go stare up and down the tea aisle the next time you're at the store, and see just what you can find. As an added bonus to giving you a little more pep in your step, most of the teas you find have antioxidants, which is even more of a reason for you to go out, buy a box of flavored tea, come home, and get that mug out of the cabinet!

Another really good flavor that I have started growing to like is the Versana Lavender flavor. It's amazing with some honey and lemon, and it's a night time tea, so it really makes you unwind and get sleepy. My boyfriend even started drinking it to help him go to sleep!

A Taste of Blended Heaven

First of all, let me just be clear that I have never found a red wine that I can even come close to tolerating. Until I was at a friends' house one night. She pulled out a bottle of red wine called 'Apothic Red'. My first reaction to her when she asked if we would like a glass was, "Hell no. I hate red wine". She urged me to take a taste of hers, and when I did, I nearly fell off my chair. It was DELICIOUS! I could not believe I had finally found a red wine that I could actually buy and enjoy a glass of without gagging as it flushed down my esophagus.

Apothic Red is actually a blended red wine. Which means that it is a blend of different grapes in order to make the flavor more unique. The different flavors should accent each other and, in fact, sometimes white and red wines are mixed together. Apothic Red is a delicious blend of Syrah, Zinfandel, and Merlot. When this feathery liquid hits your mouth, your taste buds will erupt with tiny hints of mocha, chocolate, brown spice, and vanilla. Your nose will be immersed in flavors of rhubarb and black cherry. 

All of this information I got off of these two websites:

• Learn more about blended wines
• Apothic Red Website

Broccoli Casserole

This is a recipe that has been in my family for years. It's nothing too original, but I don't have a picture to post, and I know that everyone has a clue to as to what this looks like.

Ingredients:

• 2 PACKAGES COOKED BROCCOLI
• 2 TBSP BUTTER
• 2 TBSP FLOUR
• 2 CUPS MILK
• 3/4 CUPS GRATED AMERICAN CHEESE
• 1 TSP SALT
• 1 TSP DASHED PEPPER
• 1/4 CUP CHOPPED ALMONDS
• 4 SLICES CRUMBLED COOKED BACON

Directions:

1. Put broccoli in casserole dish. Sprinkle with almonds. Cover with cheese sauce (see below). Sprinkle with bread crumbs and crispy crumbled bacon.
2. Bake at 350 degrees for 20 minutes.

Cheese Sauce:

• Mix butter, flour, milk, grated American cheese, salt and pepper. Cook over low heat until all cheese is melted.  

Makin' Moves

OK, so it's been FOREVER since I have posted anything on here, but I figured that I will start it back up now that my life has calmed back down... somewhat.

I've recently started writing down all the recipes from Pinterest and some of my cook books down in my cook book that I have started. I've also decided that for Christmas and birthday presents, I would give a copy of the cook book to all my friends, but then that got me thinking... why just let my close friends in on the secret, when I can share them with others and make happy tummies EVERYWHERE?!

Be ready, because there are going to be lots of recipes coming your way!

Beside Table Idea

When I was shopping for my new apartment, I was dying to finally have a bedside table (considering I've never had one). I was shopping around one day and managed to find tons of crates all stacked up together intended for storage space for kids toys. It immediately clicked with me, especially since they were $10 each, that I would use these as my bedside tables!

I spray painted all four of them yellow and stacked two on either side of my bed. The bottom one was turned like the picture above and the top is turned upside down. This is an excellent way to add extra storage, plus it's so easy and affordable!

Teriyaki Apricot Chicken with Red Chard and Rice

I go to this little farmer's market every time I need some produce and I have always wanted to do something with chard or kale, but I just didn't know what. Today I went there and just decided to get a bunch, come home, and try and make up a recipe that incorporates this leafy green. I was already going to have chicken, so I figured I'd do something with that

 

                                           This is the Chili Paste I use.

 

This is Red Chard

Ingredients: (Based off of one serving)

• 3 Tbsp         Chicken broth
• 1 Tbsp         Teriyaki sauce
• 1 Tbsp         Apricot preserves
• 1 Tbsp         Ginger; grated
• 1/2 Tsp        Dijon mustard
• 1/4 Tsp        Fresh grown chili paste
• 1                  Shallot; minced/grated
• 1                  Whole chicken breast
• 1 lb              Red chard
• 2                  Strips of bacon

Directions:

1. First, add broth, teriyaki sauce, apricot preserves, ginger, dijon, chili paste, and shallot in a bowl and mix together to make the marinade.
2. Chop the chicken into same size pieces and add to marinade.
3. Drizzle a tbsp or two in a pan on medium heat. Slice the bacon and drop into the pan and cook until brown. While bacon is cooking, peel chard away from the stem and tear into pieces.
4. Add the chicken (with the sauce) into the pan with the bacon and let cook for about 3-5 minutes.
5. Add the chard and cover for about a minute. Uncover and stir to get all parts wilted. 

• I use Minute Rice, because it's easier and faster than cooking regular rice. This is how you make one serving of rice using Minute Rice:

1. While that's cooking, in another pan bring 1/2 cup of water to a boil. Add 1/2 cup of rice, cover, remove from heat, and wait 5 minutes. Uncover, fluff, and plate.
2. Cook the mixture until all the chicken is cooked, then place on top of rice, drizzling the sauce over top.

This was a really tasty dish and it's a type of Asian fusion comfort food. Hope you all enjoy!

Nutella Wrap

This is something I came up with when my boyfriend was wanting something to eat, but I had nothing in my pantry. I'm sure many people have done this before, but I'm also sure many people haven't thought of this either. It's ingenius, unbelievably good, and satisfies that sweet tooth on any budget. This is also perfect for those who are in dorm rooms.

Nutella Wrap:

• Nutella
• Tortillas (keep them in your fridge to last longer)

Directions:

1. Take your tortilla(s) and spread nutella over it leaving about a half an inch to an inch on the sides. Roll it up. To make it stick together, put a little nutella on the flap and stick it to the rest of the tortilla.
2. Put it in the microwave for 30 seconds! This part is important. If you do it longer than that, the tortilla becomes crunchy and the Nutella gets somewhat burned.
3. Done. It's so simple, so sweet, and so delicious. Enjoy!

You could easily add fruit to this as well. Some straw-, blue-, black-, or raspberries, kiwi or mango would be delicious.