My Cooking Spot

When Girl Meets Kitchen



Southern Sweet Tea

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When I moved to North Carolina, sweet tea was a bit of a foreign concept to me. For one, I don’t really enjoy the taste of any tea (I know, shameful). Two, my parents have always had unsweetened tea, which is apparently like drinking decaf coffee to any coffee connoisseur. So I can vividly remember the first time my mom and I were in North Carolina visiting my future college and when the waitress asked her sweet or unsweet, she burst out laughing because she forgot that was a thing here.

Anyways, I digress. I’ve never had an issue not liking tea even though I am in the south. The problem came when I married a guy from Virginia. When my best friend would come to visit, she’d always bring a large mason jar of sweet tea. Finally I decided it was time to ask for her prized recipe. She graciously offered to share it with me and let me share it with y’all!

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$75 Sephora Gift Card Giveaway

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illistyle June Group Giveaway - $75 Sephora Gift Card - illistyle.com

We know that getting ready for summer means more than buying a new swim suit and beach towels, but also new darker foundation, quality sunscreen, and (if you are like me) a good fake tanner too! So the friends of illistyle have partnered together to offer a $75 Sephora gift card to one lucky reader so you can stock up on those summer beauty essentials! Simply use the rafflecopter widget below.
a Rafflecopter giveaway

Broiled Asparagus

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I’ve never been a huge fan of asparagus. In fact, if I told my mom that I voluntarily made asparagus, she’d respond with “who are you?!” I was an extremely picky eater as a child but as I’ve gotten older my taste buds have changed so much and I love all of the new foods I am discovering. Asparagus is one of them!

broiled-asparagus

It helps that this recipe is so incredibly easy. I had originally planned on baking the asparagus when my friend recommended broiling it. I wasn’t quite sure how it would turn out but man oh man, it was delicious. The prep time took maybe 5 minutes and the cook time is less than 10 depending on the thickness of the stalks.

broiled-asparagus-garlic

Asparagus is one of those side dishes that perfectly accompanies so many meals. This particular asparagus was paired with a goat cheese risotto recipe that I whipped up. But it could go well with salmon, chicken, beef, more veggies, anything! Asparagus has so much natural flavor that you almost don’t need a lot of ingredients to make a great side dish. A drizzle of olive oil, a handful of minced garlic, and generous sea salt and cracked black pepper is really all you need. [Read more…]

Genuine Authentic Homemade Chai Tea

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I am at it again. I am notorious for finding a food, beverage, or snack that I love, but then I read the ingredients and its all over.  When I want to indulge in something tasty I want it to have real ingredients.
Why does the FDA add natural flavors, high fructose corn syrup, and artificial colors to so many of our foods?… thats for another post, but for now, sip on this authentic Indian chai tea.
This is nothing like the sugary, super spicy, or the ones that don’t even taste like chai. This is the r.e.a.l deal.
This tasty organic//gluten free// authentic chai tea comes from real herbs and spices that will make you slip out of your shoes and snuggle up to a good book and probably finish the whole batch (at least I did) ~Enjoy!
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Genuine Authentic Homemade Chai

Ingredients

  • 5 cups of water
  • 2'' inch of sliced ginger
  • 10 cardamom pods smashed
  • 8 whole black peppercorns
  • 6 cloves
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons fennel seed
  • 2 star anise
  • 1 cinnamon stick
  • 1 slice of an orange
  • 9 earl grey tea bags (I use Paromi coconut almond black tea)
  • 1 cup almond milk
  • 1/2 cup milk (could substitute another nut milk to make completely dairy free)
  • 1/4 cup organic unrefined brown sugar cubes
  • 2 Tablespoons of honey

Instructions

  1. Place the cardamom in a mortar and pestle and give it a good smash to break the pods open
  2. Place all the spices into a mesh bag or wrap up in cheese cloth
  3. Bring the water with the mesh bag of spices to a boil// let boil for about 10 min
  4. Add the orange slice, tea bags, sugar, honey and milk to the pot and bring back to a boil, then turn the heat off and let sit for 5 min.
  5. Ladle into a cup, sip slowly and enjoy.
http://mycookingspot.com/genuine-authentic-homemade-chai-tea/