And now my question: if you were a caffeinated drink what would you be?
you can guess I would be Chinese or Indian black tea, it’s because of my ‘black’ character, my mom used to tell me that. my dark thoughts couldn’t be invisible to her, dark music, dark sense of humor… I love it!
McMenamins is having a cider week in Oregon in the middle of ice and snow apocalypse. It’s not that bad actually. I have seen much worse. Just keep in mind, this too shall pass.
Come check it out if you are anywhere close. If not, stay at home under the blanket drinking hot tea. This is what I’m doing today.
They also offer food and tea of great variety and quality. We saw a few other people drinking / eating out. Makes you feel like there are people out there, good feeling to be honest.
During this snow/ice weather conditions we are lucky to be within walking distance from the stores and cool cafes. The ones that are not closed on MLK day, I still have a dream…
We still have Christmas tree up celebrating January cold and snow this winter season. How are you feeling about the weather? What are you guys up to? Any projects / fun activities planned this week?
Have you ever made tacos at home? How was the outcome? What do you drink with them? What’s the best sauce? You have to play Mariachi when you eat your tacos.
I tried to do it at home a few times, fish tacos are my favorite kind. I will share the ingredients with you in case you get inspired to make them for yourself and your loved ones. Sauce is also important, maybe even the most important if you ask me.
Ingredients for Best Fish Taco Sauce:
For the fish taco sauce, all you need is sour cream, mayo, lime juice, garlic powder and sriracha. The sriracha gives it a little kick of spice so you can add more or less based on your preference. This taco sauce is essentially a lime crema – the perfect blend of tanginess and heat (print the recipe below).
How to Make Fish Tacos:
1. Line a large baking sheet with parchment or silicone liner. In a small dish, stir together seasonings: 1/2 tsp cumin, 1/2 tsp cayenne pepper, 1 tsp salt and 1/4 tsp black pepper and evenly sprinkle the seasoning mix over both sides of tilapia.
2. Lightly drizzle fish with olive oil and top each piece with a dot of butter. Baked at 375˚F for 20-25 min. If you want it to get a little browned around the edges, you can broil for 3-5 minutes at the end if desired.
3. Combine all the Taco sauce ingredients: 1/2 cup sour cream, 1/3 cup Mayo, 2 Tbsp lime juice (from 1 medium lime), 1 tsp garlic powder, 1 tsp Sriracha sauce, or to taste in a medium bowl or a large measuring cup and whisk together until well blended. It’s really fun and feels like dining out to serve the sauce in a squeeze bottle like this one.
4. To serve the tacos, toast quickly toast the corn tortillas on a large dry skillet or griddle over medium/high heat.
5. To assemble: start with the fish then add remaining ingredients finishing off with a generous sprinkle of cotija cheese and finally that awesome taco sauce! Serve with a fresh lime wedge to squeeze extra lime juice over tacos. (from Natashaskitchen.com)
BEST DRINKS TO PAIR WITH TACOS:
Beer
Lager would be the usual go-to but Breddos has their own full-flavoured 5.4% version, Zirkus from Magic Rock, which they describe as a ‘tropical lager’. Absolutely delicious and perfect with the food.
Margaritas
You can’t beat the classic kind in my book. Spot on!
Mezcal
Hand in hand with the taco boom there has been an accompanying growth in the popularity of mezcal the more artisanal form of tequila. Both taquerias have extensive lists
Aguas frescas
I drank a tepache at El Pastor which is described as ‘lightly fermented pineapple juice with spices. Refreshing and not too sweet. Not necessarily alcohol-free but very low. Here’s how to make it at home.
Sauvignon Blanc (with fish)
Generally chimes in well with the citrussy vibe of Mexican food
Dry rosé
Better than a red IMHO. Breddos stocks the Domaine des Triennes rosé from Provence which I really like. ( Matchingfoodandwine.com )
Aguas Frescas
In Conclusion
For the best taco eating experience you have to share tacos with your good friends and people you love, it always make them taste better and last longer as your memories will not fade away quickly. Play good music and enjoy good food, life is too short anyway.
Today is international tea day, as a tea addict I can’t miss the opportunity to ramble about my favorite drink. Tea has been the most highly regarded type of religion in my family dating back to late seventies, early nineties. Tea hunting has been and still is one of the biggest priorities for our clan in modern days. The ritual of tea drinking is a bonding experience promoting meditation, reflection and collaboration.
Why drink tea?
Tea is a beverage made from the Camellia synesis plant. Tea is the world’s most consumed drink, after water. It is believed that tea originated in northeast India, north Myanmar and southwest China, but the exact place where the plant first grew is not known. Tea has been with us for a long time. There is evidence that tea was consumed in China 5,000 years ago.
Tea production and processing constitutes a main source of livelihoods for millions of families in developing countries and is the main means of subsistence for millions of poor families, who live in a number of least developed countries.
The tea industry is a main source of income and export revenues for some of the poorest countries and, as a labour-intensive sector, provides jobs, especially in remote and economically disadvantaged areas. Tea can play a significant role in rural development, poverty reduction and food security in developing countries, being one of the most important cash crops.
Tea consumption can bring health benefits and wellness due to the beverage’s anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and weight loss effects. It also has cultural significance in many societies. (taken from UN.org)
International Tea Day
Re-emphasizing the call from the Intergovernmental Group on Tea to direct greater efforts towards expanding demand, particularly in tea-producing countries, where per capita consumption is relatively low, and supporting efforts to address the declining per capita consumption in traditional importing countries, the General Assembly decided to designate 21 May as International Tea Day.
The Day will promote and foster collective actions to implement activities in favor of the sustainable production and consumption of tea and raise awareness of its importance in fighting hunger and poverty.
How to Celebrate International Tea Day
If you’re a lover of tea, then do some research about some of your favorite companies. Try looking up tea brands that support fair trade, and possibly switch to those brands to make a difference in the way you buy products such as tea. Use the hashtag #internationalteaday to help recognize it as an official holiday and educate others about the tea industry if you’re interested.
You could also use International Tea Day to try a variety of tea you have never had before. Matcha, for example, is highly popular as of late. You need to shop with care, though! The first thing you need to take a look at is how the Matcha has been produced and sourced.
You need to ensure that all veins and stalks have been removed so that there is not any bitterness and only the finest leaves should be used. Secondly, the color of the matcha powder is a significant factor. The greener the color is, the better. This is because the leaves are forced to overproduce chlorophyll because Matcha is shade-grown, which causes the vibrant green shade.
If the Matcha is yellow or brown in color, this is a sign that the leaves have not been properly shaded or that branches and stalks have been included. The price is the third factor to consider. Like most things, if you want quality, you can expect to pay a little bit more.
If something seems too good to be true, the chances are that it is. The feel of Matcha is also important. It should be a fine powder that is very silky. Last but not least, the taste is obviously a crucial attribute when it comes to quality. It should have a clean and naturally sweet taste.
Why not make some delicious baked green tea treats on International Tea Day and have a bake sale to raise money and awareness regarding working conditions in the tea industry? Green tea recipes are available in their abundance. People are actively searching for different ways to enjoy green tea. While green tea is delicious when simply mixed with hot water, there is nothing wrong with switching it up from time to time, especially on International Tea Day!
An easy and delicious recipe is Matcha Meringue Kisses. To make this you will need Matcha, sugar, egg whites, and powdered sugar. Begin by sifting together the Matcha and the powder sugar, and then whip the egg whites until they have soft peaks. Gradually add the sugar and whip until stiff peaks. Gently fold the Matcha into this mixture and then transfer to a pastry bag. Pipe the mixture into small kisses onto a baking tray and then bake for around an hour.
Or, why not make Green Tea Donuts? For this, you need green tea, honey, melted butter, milk, egg, salt, baking powder, sugar, and cake flour. You whisk the green tea, salt, baking powder, sugar, and flour. Add the honey, melted butter, milk, and egg, and then whisk. Use a pastry bag to pipe the batter into the mould. Then, simply bake the donuts for eight minutes. You can make your own glaze to go on the top – chocolate goes well!
Other delicious baked treats to try include green tea muffins, brownies and shortbread! (Taken from Daysoftheyear.com)
Health benefits of tea
Multiple scientific studies have found evidence that drinking tea can be highly effective in warding off some serious health conditions like obesity, cancer, and dehydration. Tea contains antioxidants which are helpful in boosting the overall health of the body.
4 health benefits of tea:
Risks of heart diseases are reduced – key arteries are widened and blood flow is improved.
Keeps the body hydrated – some scientists believe that drinking tea is nearly as useful as drinking water.
Strengthens the teeth – tea also contains fluoride and prevents tooth decay.
Boosts memory power – tea (green tea) strengthens memory cells and provide protection against Alzheimer’s and dementia. (Taken from Teafolly.com)
Tea production and its Goals for the UN
Tea production and processing contributes to the following goals:
Moreover, there is an urgent need to raise public awareness of the importance of tea for rural development and sustainable livelihoods and to improve the tea value chain to contribute to the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
What are the most famous teas?
OOLONG TEA
Oolong tea is one of the popular types in Japan, Taiwan, and China. When it comes to its taste and color, we find it a cross between green and black tea. It’s made through a partial fermentation (30% to 70%) and then drying it up. Another common technique used to make Oolong is baking.
Strange it may seem, but it is true. Oolong gives a wide range of taste and aroma that most of its sub-categories do not possess. We can find the proof when tasting Big Red Robe and Ti Kwan Yin. Both are Oolong teas, yet offer vastly different flavors.
BLACK TEA
The most consumed type of tea which completes the breakfast of the western morning. It’s produced after full oxidation (fermentation), allowing the leaves to evaporate the water and absorb oxygen from the air, thus becoming withered and dried.
The output product is black and dark brown, resulting in a pronounced flavor and rich taste. Black tea, once prepared, adopts amber color and provides pleasing taste with a refreshing aroma. Among its sub-categories, Darjeeling and English Breakfast teas are very popular.
GREEN TEA
A lighter taste with a reduced amount of caffeine is produced in the cup of a green tea. Green tea turns pale green or light golden in color once prepared. The process of its preparation is based on preservation: the leaves are prevented from oxidation and kept under rapid heating (with fire) to preserve its “greenness”.
After picking the leaves, they are withered and dried, skipping the process of oxidation. The preparation of green tea is rather easier as it only requires steeping the green leaves for a few minutes at a lower temperature.
WHITE TEA
White tea is made with the simplest way of picking and gently drying until they are done. As the white tea goes through a minimalistic process, the output product is sometimes slightly oxidized, which is accidental, rather than intentional. White teas are liked mostly in China only. (Taken from Teafolly.com)
What’s your favorite kind of tea? Do you add sugar or anything else in your beverage? How often do you drink tea? Is it a communal activity? Have you ever been a part of tea ceremony? Do you go to high tea parties? I have never been and need to hear about it all from the horse’s mouth. I want to go to one. Let’s have some tea now! Cheers
When you get sick you want to know what to eat if you are hungry at all. Fingers crossed, you are. I haven’t been sick like this for years, but luckily my appetite hasn’t left me, which usually means I am alive, I am sort of surprised I got to have it so bad this time. I hope to get back on track soon. Wish me luck! But let me tell you what to eat when you or your loved one gets sick. I am sure you are dying to know.
Chicken soup with broccoli. It’s very easy to make, it takes maybe 30 min. You need chicken broth with chicken, 2 potatoes chopped, 1 carrot chopped, 2-3 celery stems chopped, an onion chopped (optional), menudo spice (optional), jalapenos (optional). After 20 min boiling it, add 1 crown of broccoli chopped, it’s ready in 10 min. Add salt and fenugreek seeds if you want. Serve with or without sour cream.
Oatmeal with raisins and nuts. Cook oatmeal with salt, raisins and nuts, when ready add butter and banana. Serve cold or hot. Add a bit of cinnamon if you like. I like it with apples and flax seed.
Salmon with salad greens. Cook salmon on the frying pan, 3 min on one side, turn, 3 min on the other side. You can use another kind of fish, I recommend Dorado if it’s available where you live.
If you can’t eat anything, drink teas and infusions with honey and lemon. I make black tea with ginger and lemon, I add sugar. You can make green tea with ginger and honey as well. Drink lots of water.
Easy carbs, like sweet potato or quinoa, are highly recommended in case of being sick due to a viral infection or common cold. If you crave something sweet, try to eat fresh or dried fruits instead of sugary things. I personally love mochi, you probably know that they are made of bean paste. Beans, beans, magical fruit… The more you eat, the more you toot, the more you toot, the better you feel, so eat your beans with every meal. (not my poem, by the way)
Salads are good for you when nothing looks appealing at all. I have a few recipes of “winter” salads such as My Version of Vinegret and My Version of Olivier Salad. Check them out and see if you are inspired to cook any of those. They are mostly easy to cook if you have the right ingredients. I have also posted Lentil Soup recipe and Vegetarian Borsht to die for. I hope you get better soon instead of dying. Please be well and stay motivated!
Share some things you eat when you are sick. Sharing is caring after all.
Why I quit my job 