My Crazy Kitchen

Love makes the world go round. We all know that. And what better way to express love than through food. Anyone can do this, because food prepared with love always tastes wonderful.

My wee Scottish mother knows this. My late brother-in-law, Rick used to call her “Saint Helen of Port Colborne”. She (with my father) continues to welcome people into her home with offers of food and “a cup of tea”. She’s not impressed by money or status, she’s “well-grounded”.

When my five sisters and I were growing up, my mother always knew how to stretch a meal, prepared for eight into enough for nine or ten or more at the drop of a hat. Many evenings were spent at the kitchen table with friends and/or family who had just “dropped by for a cup of tea”. Children were welcome to sit and listen, or join in, on the discussion.

Tea was such a social connecter in our household. A cup of tea meant time to sit and “chat”. “Would you like a cup of tea” was like the word “Aloha” in Hawaiian. This phrase translated into so many meanings, like, “Would you like to talk about what’s upsetting you”, “Is there anything you need to tell me”, “How was your date” or simply “I love you enough to take a moment to talk”.

As I got older and met new friends, I was shocked to find out some of them didn’t drink tea. How can this be? What did they do when they needed to have a talk? Thankfully my initiation into University residence was made easier by two friendly, tea-totalers (was that redundant?).

My personal, long-time favorite is Small Pleasures Maple Tea. Simply put, it’s just a good solid cup of tea with just a touch of Maple. On a good day, I surreptitiously combine that with a few truffles away from the watchful eyes of my children. Chocolat Classique Original French Truffles are my favorite.

A Good Strong Cup of Homemade Iced Tea (recipe compliments of my wee Scottish Mother)

4-5 Regular or Flavoured Tea Bags*

1/3 cup of Real Lemon or fresh lemon juice

¼ cup sugar or to taste

6-8 cups water

1-2 trays of ice cubes.

*Small Pleasures Mango Tea combines fabulously with Lemon.

In a medium saucepan ¾ filled with water, drop in the tea bags and bring to a boil. Allow the water to boil for 3 to 4 minutes;

Take the pot off the stove and allow it to cool to room temperature;

Fill a drink pitcher with ice cubes and pour the boiled tea (at room temperature) into the pitcher;

Fill the pot with cold water and pour the water into the pitcher to fill it up;

Add the lemon juice and sugar and;

Stir and Enjoy!

My crazy kitchen becomes somewhat more manageable when I’m armed with a good cup of tea.

Be good to yourself!

Phyllis