Sweet Spiced Tea Food

SHAAH CADAYS (SOMALI SPICED TEA WITH MILK)

Steps:

• Crush the ginger with the bottom of a heavy pot or the blunt edge of a knife and set aside. Place the cinnamon, cardamom, cloves, and peppercorns in a mortar and crush with a pestle until coarsely ground (or crush on a countertop or on a cutting board with the bottom of a heavy pot). Transfer the spices to a medium saucepan set over medium heat and cook, stirring, until very fragrant, about 1 minute. Add the ginger, water, tea, and sugar and increase the heat to high. Once bubbles form around the edge, immediately reduce the heat to low and let the mixture simmer for 5 minutes. Stir in the milk and let it cook for just 1 minute to warm the milk, then turn off the heat. Strain through a fine-mesh sieve into a teapot, pitcher, or straight into tea mugs. Serve immediately while hot and add more sugar to taste if you'd like.

SPICED TEA MIX

Steps:

• Combine iced tea mix, orange flavored drink mix, ground cinnamon, and ground cloves. Store in an airtight container.
• To serve, stir 1 1/2 teaspoon mix into 1 cup hot water.

SWEET ICED PEACH TEA

Steps:

• Make the tea in a 3 or 4 quart pitcher (or iced tea pot). Set aside.
• Pour peaches and water into a blender.
• Blend on high speed until well blended.
• Add sugar and blend for a few more seconds.
• Add more water until there is 1 quart.
• Blend for a few seconds-- pulse.
• Pour this mixture into the pitcher of tea and stir until well mixed.
• Chill before serving.
• Serve over ice or warm up for a hot drink.

SOMALI TEA

Steps:

• Boil desired amount of water in tea pot. Add tea bags using a good tea to water ratio.
• Smash green cardamom pods* and add to tea. (I couldn't add this to the list for some reason).
• Then add grated ginger and 1 cinnamon stick
• Let steep for about 10-15 minutes in pot.
• Serve with milk and sugar to taste.

ETHIOPIAN SPICE TEA

Steps:

• Stir all ground spices together in a small bowl.
• Bring water to a boil. Add 1/8 teaspoon spice mixture and ginger and simmer 4 minutes. Pour tea through a fine sieve lined with a coffee filter or paper towel in a cup.

SPICED TEA MIX

Steps:

• Mix all ingredients in a large bowl and stir with a wooden spoon until all of the ingredients are well blended.
• Store the mix in an air-tight container.
• When ready to serve, place 3 teaspoons of the mix in a coffee mug and add 1 cup of hot water. Stir with a whole cinnamon stick, and serve while hot.
• NOTE: Measurements are approximate; adjust ingredient amounts to suit your taste preferences.
• GIFT-GIVING TIP - This is a wonderful treat that is suitable for gift-giving. Place about 1 1/2 cups of the mix in a decorative glass jar, a strong cellophane bag, or a pretty holiday tin. Tie a festive holiday ribbon around the neck of the jar (or top of the bag), or secure a pretty bow to the top of the tin. For special touch, attach 3 or 4 cinnamon sticks to the ribbon. Be sure to add a label to the package with instructions to place 3 teaspoons of the spiced tea mix to a coffee mug and add 1 cup hot water.

SPICED ICED TEA

Steps:

• Pour boiling water into a heat-proof pitcher. Add the tea bags, cinnamon, cloves and sugar substitute; steep tea for 15 minutes., Discard the tea bags, cinnamon and cloves. Pour tea over ice in glasses; garnish with mint and lemon.