This week was heavy on traditional publishing tasks and business side of things. We needed a merchandising contract. We needed a lawyer to look it over. We had some IP questions regarding the audio books. We did some writing.
I’m a bear of very little brain at the moment.
I decided to bundle all of the recipes from the blog into a small cookbook. Surprisingly, we posted quite a bit over the years and people kept losing the recipes as the posts are archived.
Posts are archived and deleted for a reason. They become obsolete or we might have said something that now isn’t accurate because situation changes. When the posts are gone, it’s because we want them gone. Anyway, a cookbook would preserve the recipes in a single convenient place.
Unfortunately I’ve discovered that I’m terrible at food photography. Things I can do: make delicious food. Things I cannot do: photograph it.
I’m not sure if the cookbook will have pictures. I will try my best. I’m testing every recipe to make sure I can include actual ingredient quantities rather than a dash of this and a pinch of that.
On the plus side, I have been approved for a purchase of a massive air fryer. We will probably charge a couple of bucks for the cookbook to recoup editing and production costs, and the air fryer came in handy. This particular model has a shallow and wide basket. I stuffed 24 drumettes into it. It took a while for them to crisp because of the mayo coating, but Gordon, as the official sampler, pronounced them delicious.
I do not understand the deep air frier baskets. Nothing crisps for me in those.
Today might be pork carnitas day. I’m not sure.
Someone asked about my favorite tea. As you probably know by now, my blood is 78% tea water. I used to lean heavily into oolongs, but now I mostly drink black tea. Since we established that I take terrible food pictures, I will be stealing images from Harney & Sons. All teas will be linked below.
All teas were consumed without milk or lemon, although sometimes Splenda was added. We receive no compensation from the tea providers below and these are not affiliate links.
Russian Country
To no one’s surprised at all, this is my go to. My first cup of tea in the morning is usually Russian Country. It’s a smoky tea, strong flavor, blended from several tea varieties. It’s probably an acquired taste, but it reminds me of my childhood.
Harney & Sons: Russian Country tea.
Celebration
This is a milder black tea, and the lighter flavor lets the other ingredients shine: it has apricots, blue cornflowers, hazelnut, plum, and cinnamon. I will be honest, I can neither smell nor taste cinnamon in this, and I don’t miss it. This tea smells amazing, its taste is complex, and it makes you think of fruity desert.
Harney & Sons: Celebration tea.
Valentine’s Day
This smells amazing. The vanilla is strong and there are hints of chocolate. This is another milder tea with chocolate nibs and rose petals, and it’s Chinese black tea base allows those flavors to come through. Gordon bought this in bulk for me and I drink it when I want a treat during the day.
Harney & Sons: Valentine’s Day Tea.
Vanilla Comoro
Vanilla Comoro is a decaffeinated tea, and it is amazing. It tastes rich, with a strong hint of vanilla, and if you would like an evening or late afternoon tea without the caffeine spike, this is an excellent choice. I drink massive quantities of this and restock frequently.
Harney & Sons: Vanilla Comoro.
Vahdam Spiced Turmeric
The last tea on my list is an herbal tisane. When my primary doctor looked at my latest blood results, she saw some inflammation markers and she suggested turmeric to lower it. Not in a pill or supplement form. Apparently, turmeric is the latest “miracle” fad. Supplements are very loosely regulated in US and some people became sick taking them.
My doctor was very clear: turmeric consumption had to come in a way of actually consuming the spice itself, and this tea was my answer. It is spicy and strong, with turmeric, lemongrass, and ginger, and I honestly thought I would hate it, but instead I look forward to it.
It is a very acquired taste; however, so I would recommend sample size to try it out. It does help with inflammation, but I also drink a lot of it.
Vahdam: Turmeric Spiced Herbal Tea.
I am now going to brew myself a cup from this selection, check on my friend, and then dive back into work. we have some fun stuff coming down the pipeline, but too early to talk about it. More to come.
Will definitely be ordering again soon!
The tea list sounds amazing, especially the Celebration one. I might have to try it soon. I’ve also been trying to take better care of my health and found SheMed’s blogs. That provides me simple tips, kind of like how your tea notes make things easy to follow. Thanks for sharing your thoughts.
great idea with the cook book. could i make the request that it will be able to be used internationally? so with grams and generally available foods.
Hey Ilona,
I recommend trying authentic Ayurvedic tea, as it serves both as a natural remedy and a preventive measure.
Hope this will help.
Recipe
1 cup water
1-inch fresh turmeric root (sliced) or ½ teaspoon turmeric powder
¼ teaspoon black pepper (for better absorption)
½ inch fresh ginger (sliced), optional
1 teaspoon ghee (optional, supports digestion)
Honey or jaggery to taste (added only when tea is lukewarm, optional)
Juice of ½ lemon (optional, for flavor and increased detox benefits)
If it’s ok to recommend a different tea creator, I would recommend Desert Sage Natural
https://www.desertsagenatural.com/
She has an amazing array of teas, and she will create a special mixture based on what you need.
Yes! I love H&S Vanilla Comoro tea. It’s great for a last thing in the evening treat. Now I need to try Celebration. And thanks for the idea of a cookbook!
My fathers doctor told him too, to take turmeric, but he should Consume it with black pepper. The Combination does the trick.
Thank you for the teas. I‘m a tea drinker, too. The only smokey tea i tried so far, was at fortnumes and Mason in London during a breakfast tea.
Yeah, I was told black pepper and a bit of some kind of fat for best absorption. I use just a tad amount of coconut oil.
I would love to have some alternatives for some american “staples” like certain bbq sauces. Maybe some sort of dictionary at the end?
And, while we talk about food, Mod R did a nice post about an innkeeper themed arrangement of foods a while back. I found a red fleshed food! There exist serveral sorts of mostly red apples like Redlove, Baya Marisa, Rosette.
what a great idea to have a cookbook! love the tea recs too
that turmeric tea looks quite interesting with all the other things added in (big big cardamom fan!!) and adding in some natural immune booster along with all the pill forms sounds like a great idea plus something to add to the 100 or so teas I’ve already got
As someone who is lucky enough to have read an arc of Maggie….
You might need to start preparing for Cookbook, Volume 2. Everyone is going to want to try [redacted character’s] pastries and sambocades.
I came to the air fryer game late. I was skeptical since I hate it when I buy kitchen stuff I don’t end up using (looking at you, InstaPot), but I am now an enthusiastic convert.
I have the dual basket Ninja which allows me to cook larger quantities of one thing, or two completely different foods at different temps for different times. You can enter the times and temps and it will cook them so that both foods finish at the same time – it’s wonderful. I find it very easy to clean and use it almost daily.
I like cook books with pictures. It helps to know what something should look like when done. The photo of the chicken needs different lighting. The plate in the background looks shadowy light blue-grey instead of bright white. The lighting is too cool tone and dim. Look for warm tone and brighter light(s). Or take the photo outdoors an hour before sunset to get a nice golden glow (golden hour).
Thanks for the tea info. I ordered the tumeric for my daughter and she already got it, drank it and loves it! Ill try some too. I will read your cookbook. Pics or no.
Damn, your post made me realise how much I miss black tea. I love it, but my stomach thinks otherwise, categorizing it under ‘poison that must be ejected at first possible opportunity’. Will definitely be giving that herbal tisane a try though, it sounds lovely!
Mmmm. I love tea but am so so picky, and at the moment avoiding caffeine due to breastfeeding. Thank you for tea recommendations!
Long time reader from Singapore! We use a fair bit of turmeric in cooking. How about turmeric in chicken noodle soup (mee Soto/Soto ayam), tumeric fried chicken or turmeric rice with raisins?
I love tea. It’s all I drink. Mostly hot tea. Another author recommended Twinings 1706 black tea and that is now my absolute favorite. I also enjoy Harney & Sons Milky Oolong and Victoria London Fog.
Eeeek! So excited for the cookbook! I lost the Rugelach recipe from KD and my husband is pouting 🙁
Could you add your teas in the cookbook?
Just what you like, I know I’m gonna lose this blog post
This is a terrible long shot, but here goes! Back around 1999 my roommate’s older sister was dating a Russian American guy whose Russian grandmother gifted everyone mason jars of homemade “Russian tea.” It was an obvious mix with tasty spices in it, including cinnamon and possibly star anise? Not as sure about the latter. Sadly, I don’t remember much else. It was the first tea I ever enjoyed until I encountered Indian chai tea some seven years later. Would you have any idea what this might have been? I know it’s a huge area, and I have no idea where they were from. Just thought I’d try.
I understand your love of Russian Country, LOL. May I recommend the following? I shop at English Tea Store online, but there other suppliers I am sure. I always buy the 16 oz bags, I go through a LOT of tea, just like you.
Scottish Breakfast is quite strong. I found it when I was travelling in Scotland – where I would Love to return… if you like Scotch, you might like this. I am a great lover of good scotch!
Lapsang Souchang – very smoky. An aquired taste, but if you like smoky, you might like it.
the cookbook will be amazing – thank you in advance!
I echo the request for a way to highlight from whence each recipe originated be it by character, book, or frINNday panel review
I literally just bought the Harney and Sons Provence tea and it is delightful
Yay!
I am among those who have asked which tea(s) you most enjoy and appreciate the thoughtful answer. I will continue to enjoy the very restful images of tea y’all include with your blog posts and add a gentle scent with my imagination.
Thank you!