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Hot Apple Chai-der (Chai Cider)

By Jen, on November 21st, 2011%

Warm up with a mug of Hot Apple Chai-der, a mix of apple cider and chai tea.

I love apple cider, but drinking it straight can get a little too sweet for me. Diluting the cider with water cuts calories. Steeping it with spices and black tea adds flavor. I don’t add sweetener because I enjoy tart drinks. If you like a touch of sweetness use a natural sweetener like pure maple syrup or honey.

Hot Apple Chai-der (Chai Cider)
1 1/2 cups water
1 cup apple cider
1 cinnamon stick
1 teaspoon crystallized ginger
5 whole black peppercorns
2 green cardamom pods, crushed
2 English breakfast black tea bags

In a medium saucepan combine water, apple cider, cinnamon stick, ginger, peppercorns and cardamom. Heat over medium heat until just beginning to boil. Reduce heat; simmer gently for 5 minutes. Remove cider mixture from heat. Add tea bags; steep for 3 minutes then remove tea bags. Strain cider mixture; discard spices. Serve in mugs.

Makes 2 servings (2 cups total)

Tip: Be sure to crush the cardamom pods to release the fragrant seeds.

Product Links:
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Matcha Blueberry Smoothies

By Jen, on October 18th, 2011%

I like to keep my smoothies clean and simple. When you start with great ingredients like fresh almond milk, ripe banana and sweet blueberries you don’t need to add much else. But, a sprinkling of brilliant green matcha tea powder is a great boost. (vegan, dairy-free recipe)

Matcha Blueberry Smoothies
1 cup unsweetened almond milk or soymilk
1 medium banana, sliced
1 cup frozen blueberries
1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon matcha tea powder

Add almond milk, banana, blueberries and matcha tea powder to blender container. Cover and blend until smooth. Pour into 2 glasses.

Makes 2 servings (about 2 1/4 cups total)

Tip: Matcha is powdered whole leaf Japanese green tea. Adding too much matcha tea can result in a bitter flavor. Start with a small amount of matcha and adjust according to taste.

More Smoothie Recipes:
Berry Tea Smoothies
Mango Coconut Water Smoothies
Creamy Strawberry Almond Smoothies

Product Link:
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Cold Press Coffee: MIY (make-it-yourself)

By Jen, on September 4th, 2011%

From the recipe archives, first posted August 2010. Updated with new photos and a recipe for vegan Vietnamese iced coffee. -Jen

Once you discover how easy it is to make cold press coffee, you’ll always make-it-yourself. All it takes is 2 ingredients…and some patience.

Here are a few secrets for making cold brewed coffee:

  • Start with fresh whole coffee beans. A medium or dark roast is best for cold brewing.
  • Grind the coffee beans into medium-fine grounds.
  • Brew in the refrigerator at least 24 hours.
  • Double filter the coffee. Use a French press as the first filter, and a cone coffee filter system (such as a Melitta) as the second filter.

Cold Press Coffee
Ingredients:
1/2 cup medium or dark roast whole coffee beans
2 cups fresh cold water
Equipment:
Coffee grinder
French press
Cone coffee filter

Place coffee beans in coffee grinder. Grind coffee beans into medium-fine grounds. Add ground coffee to French press carafe. Stir water into coffee grounds. Insert French press cover and depress plunger just enough to submerge coffee grounds fully in water. Cold brew in the refrigerator for 24 hours. To strain, depress the French press plunger completely to trap coffee grounds. Strain again by pouring brewed coffee through a cone coffee filter. Cold brewed coffee is strong. Serve over ice and add water to taste.

Makes 1 1/2 cups

Tip: To make a vegan version of vietnamese-style iced coffee, add 1 tablespoon each coconut milk and almond milk to a glass. Stir in 1/2 to 1 teaspoon pure maple syrup, depending on your preference for sweetness. Add 3/4 cup cold press coffee, stir vigorously. Add ice and enjoy.

Bodum Chambord Coffee Press

Melitta U S A Inc 640007 Perfect Brew Filter Cone

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Cucumber Watermelon Juice

By Jen, on August 14th, 2011%

My fridge is overflowing with fresh fruits and veggies. It’s my fault. I can’t leave the farmers market without a full bag…or four. Good thing I have a killer blender. One way to quickly use up produce is to make fresh fruit juice. Simply add prepped fruits and veggies to a blender and whirl them into juice.

Here’s a simple juice recipe using cucumber, watermelon, lemon and basil. Since watermelon and cucumber are so juicy, there’s no need to add water to make juice. Adding ice makes the juice good and cold.

Cucumber Watermelon Juice
2 cups seedless watermelon chunks
1 small cucumber, peeled and seeded (about 3/4 cup sliced)
Juice from 1/2 of a fresh lemon
3 fresh basil leaves
1 cup ice cubes
Natural sweetener, if needed

Add watermelon, cucumber, lemon juice and basil to blender container. Cover and blend until smooth. Add ice cubes; cover and blend until smooth. Sweeten to taste. Pour into glasses.

Makes 2 servings (about 2 cups)

Tip: You can substitute fresh mint for the basil.

Recipe Links:
Watermelon Cucumber Salad
Good and Green Smoothies

Product Link:
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