November 18, 2011

Something New From Gramma Agoo....
                        AKA  MARY PELZEL

"CONFUSION WITH INFUSION"

Now where was your mind?  The balls that I have in mind are tea balls, also known as infusers.  Don't miss out on the wide variety of flavorful loose leaf teas from all over the world because you have a panic attack when the tea is not in a bag.  I can't count the times that someone has come up to me and said, "I just can't figure out how to make tea unless it is in a bag."*

Be brave.  Be adventuresome. Fill that infuser with tea of choice and let it slowly permeate the freshly boiled water in your teapot.  Some teas need more time to steep and fully release their fragrance and flavor.  Don't rush it.  Relax with a great cup of tea and enjoy it one sip at a time.    

Here's the skinny on how to brew a perfect cup of tea. 

1.  Use a teapot, preheating it by rinsing it out with hot water.  This keeps the tea hot during the brewing.
2.  Bring fresh cold tap water to a full rolling boil.  Water that has been reheated gives tea a flat taste; only boiled water can extract the full flavor and benefit from the leaves.
3.  Use one teaspoonful of tea or one teabag per cup (6 ounces) of water and pour the boiling water over the tea.  I fill an infuser 1/2 full and place it in my teapot.  Depending on the tea, this is usually good for two pots. 
4.  Brew 5 to 7 minutes.  Don't judge the strength of tea by its color.  It takes time for the leaves to unfold and release their flavor.  If you like tea less strong, add water after the brewing period. 

Teapots come in  almost any design imaginable.  Have fun choosing one that suits your personality.  My favorite is an F & F Alice in Wonderland - The Mad Hatter and the March Hair with the Door Mouse on the lid.  Find a tea cozy too.  Plop this little cloth hat over the pot to keep your tea warm as it steeps.

Properly made tea helps you feel relaxed and refreshed.  It gives a gentle lift, a feeling of well-being.  The pleasure and enjoyment you get from properly made tea explains why tea is the most popular drink in the world. 

Now, what should accompany this perfect cup of tea?  How about a perfect cookie - yum!  Or, better yet, let's make scones!  What I really want is one of each, so that's what we're having today.  What Mary wants - Mary gets!

COOKIE: FROSTED CRANBERRY DROP COOKIES

Ingredients:  1/2 cup butter (softened), 1 cup sugar, 3/4 cup packed brown sugar, 1/4 cup milk, 1 egg, 2 tablespoons orange juice, 3 cups all-purpose flour, 1 teaspoon baking powder, 1/2 teaspoon salt, 1/4 teaspoon baking soda, 2 1/2 cups fresh or frozen cranberries, 1 cup chopped walnuts.  FROSTING:  1/3 cup butter, 2 cups confectioners' sugar, 1 1/2 teaspoons pure vanilla (not imitation - never imitation), 2 to 4 tablespoons hot water.

MAKE IT: In a mixing bowl, cream butter and sugars.  Add milk, egg and orange juice; mix well.  Combine the flour, baking powder, salt and baking soda; add to the creamed mixture and mix well.  Stir in cranberries and nuts.  Drop by tablespoonfuls 2 inches apart onto greased baking sheets.  Bake at 350 degrees for  12-15 minutes or until golden brown.  Cool on wire racks.  For frosting, heat the butter in a saucepan over low heat until golden brown, about 5 minutes.  Cool for 2 minutes; transfer to a small mixing bowl.  Add sugar and vanilla.  Beat in water,  1 tablespoon at a time, until frosting reaches desired consistency.  Frost the cookies.  Yield:  about 5 dozen. 

*Once in awhile I get caught using a tea bag - busted!  Using a tea bag is not criminal.  I'm just encouraging the use of loose leaf tea.  Branch out, broaden the scope and welcome yourself to the world of teas.

Well, I've run off at the mouth and don't have room for the scone recipe.  Next issue will contain not only the scone recipe, but also a lesson on vanilla  (unless I forget and do something else).

As always, I welcome your questions and comments.  If you have cooking questions, send them to me.  If I don't have the answer, I'll find someone who does. 

Mary

marysplace1st@yahoo.com
www.marysplacegifts.com
509-658-1057

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