Suited to a Tea

Hope you like Blackberries. Now that I have a ton of them, you’ll see them here at DoughMessTic a lot. Yesterday Seven and I picked a colander full, and I decided to make tea with them. Not just tea, but Blackberry Mint Tea. I’m sure there are other tea recipes out there, but I just did my own thing and got a pretty tasty result…very flavorful and refreshing, and much better the day after making it.

Blackberry Mint Tea
makes 2 Quarts

3 cups fresh blackberries
3 Family Size Tea Bags
3/4 cups sugar
6-7 large mint leaves
Water

Boil water and prepare tea as usual. Add sugar to hot tea, making sure to stir until sugar isdissolved. Tear mint leaves and add to hot tea. Allow to steep for 10-15 minutes. In the meantime, juice the blackberries and strain the seeds. Strain the tea into a pitcher, removing the mint leaves. Add blackberry juice to prepared tea, add enough water to reach the 2 quart line, mix thoroughly, and enjoy.

I am not much of a tea person, but my husband really enjoyed this. It adds a flavor in a very summery way – and if garnished with fresh berries and mint leaves, this tea would really make a statement at your next cookout or party!

Since posting about sorbet yesterday,

I never realized how many people out there are living without an Ice Cream Maker! I got a ton of emails asking what kind I use/recommend. Well, I LOVE mine. It’s a Cuisinart, and it’s fab. Is it Professional? No, but I don’t need one that makes 14 gallons at a time. I think the best featureof this one is that it will make 2 flavors at the same time…which means…let’s say you made a big batch of vanilla custard and now you want to churn it into ice cream. But the kiddies want to add Reese’s Cups and chocolate syrup, and YOU really had cookie dough in mind. Well, It will let you do both! Or, You can make a batch of Blackberry Sorbet and Peach Sorbet at the same time. Whatever you can think of, you can make.

The 2 canisters hold about a quart each. I keep mine in the freezer at all times, just in case the mood to make gelato strikes. I have had nothing but good luck with this machine, and I have had it for going on 5 years now. Best part is, it’s very affordable, and Amazon has it on a huge sale with free shipping. If you have any specific questions about it, just email me and I’ll help you out!

Day 14 Rundown: Spent Zero. Two full weeks down. I can’t believe it! We’re half finished!

Breakfast: I had a piece of buttered milk bread. Seven had a fruit cup, a piece of bologna, and a little bit of zucchini bread.

Lunch: I packed Jon a lunch he could haul and not have to keep cold – he was working in the field. He had a fruit cup, 2 mini candy bars, 2 packs of those snack crackers I bought on Monday, and another Tuna Pack. I skipped lunch. Seven had leftover green beans and macaroni, as well as a piece of bread. He snacked in the afternoon on a pack of crackers and a couple of marshmallows.

Dinner: Sauteed chicken with fresh Peach & Apple Salsa, Zucchini “Pizza” made from more leftover hamburger, cheese, peppers and tomoatoes, green beans, and corn on the cob. As I type this, a box mix pan of brownies is in the oven. i screwed around with it, as per usual, adding chocolate syrup and chips. It smells good.

14 Days to Go, $77.74 left to spend.