I started getting sick on Monday night and, naturally, by Tuesday I'd convinced myself I was dying of Swine Flu. I'm nothing if not a world class hypochondriac. Fortunately, that's not the case and reports of my death have been greatly exaggerated ... by me. I will recover indeed, but suffice it to say there's been precious little going on in my kitchen this week. I haven't had the energy to cook and I'm not hungry either. Feh.
And, obviously, I haven't had any scrumptious new cocktails. Its been nothing but water, tea and ginger ale for me ... all sipped between countless hours of inane reality television. Is it just me or is "The Real Housewives of New York City" the most offensive show on the planet? Ugh. I got your "real housewife" right here. She's on my living room couch; decked out in her leopard skin pajamas, box of tissues and a bowl of Tylenol by her side. She's me. *I* am a real housewife of New York City! But I digress ...
Because I'm committed to ensuring that Thirsty Thursdays will go on in some fashion or other, I did revive long enough to mix myself up something tasty. Sans, booze this time, but no reason you can't dump some into your own brew when making this for yourself. I'll include the boozy option for those so inclined.
Magical Healing Tea:
- 4 1/2 cups of water
- 1 whole cinnamon stick
- 1 or 2 inch piece of fresh ginger, peeled
- 12 whole black pepper corns
- 1/2 tsp. ground cloves
- 1/2 tsp. ground cardamom
- generous grating of fresh nutmeg
- 4 good quality black tea bags - I use Barry's Irish Tea
- some honey to taste
- milk, optional
- booze - such as brandy, Irish whiskey, B&B, or even scotch, optional
- lemon, if desired
Remove the cover, add the tea bags and allow to simmer, very gently, for 5 more minutes. Strain the liquid into four mugs, or tea cups, add some honey and milk to taste and serve. If desired, you may replace the milk with any of the above boozy options and serve the spiced tea as a hot toddy. Personally, I'm partial to the brandy or Irish whiskey, but do as you see fit.
If you're going the boozy route, omit the milk and opt for a lovely slice of lemon to go with. Serve and enjoy, repeat as necessary!
As written, this recipe will serve four and it is more or less my homemade version of chai. Its good with or without the booze and with the added punch of fresh ginger - guaranteed to cure what ever ails you. I hope you'll try it!
I also hope to be back to business as usual next week ... meaning we'll be getting our drink on for real come Thursday.
So, what's your go to beverage when you're under the weather? Sickly Diva wants to know.
Bon appetit!
21 comments:
Being sick is so not fun! :( Glad your Thursday norm is still going full force though. You'll let nothing stop you! Sip sip sip and rest up. :)
Ginger ale is a good staple to have in the house in case of such emergencies. And hot soup, whatever kind, with pastina. And a good big hunk of Mama Diva hugs! Hope the healing vibes I sent are doing the job.
Love you,
Of course, nothing sucks as much as being sick. But take it from a Real Housewife in Staffordshire... milk it. Thats what i do ;). You should hear me, "oh honey... im sick.... get me this... buy me that... rub my back... i need ice cream..."
Lol, hey isnt it funny that even though you are sick you still are stirring up alcoholic brews? Even in your Diva tea??? :)
Feel better soon!
Thanks, peeps! I think I'm finally on the road to recovery, but taking it easy for the rest of this week. Sick sucks! :(
You're right, Duo, I'll stop at nothing to make sure my readers enjoy themselves. LOL
Pixelgal - I need pastina!!!
HH - Oh, I'm milking it alright ... that's what Divas do best, eh? ;)
I hope you'll be feeling better soon, Diva. When I am sick, I always get an order of Tom Yum (Hot and Sour Thai Soup). It always seems to help.
Tracy - never mind me ... how are *you* feeling? Any baby yet?!? You've been on my mind all week. :)
No baby yet, but it could be any day now (I'm due this Saturday). As much as I am not looking forward to hours of shear and utterly torturous pain, I certainly do not want to be late -- you know how I love to be early to everything ;) I'll be sure to send you an email once she arrives.
sounds like you caught what I had - I hope you kick it sooner than I did...I learned a trick from an old mexican curandera (witch doctor) boil up a red onion in some water - strain the water and add honey - drink it - it sounds gross but it doesnt taste gross and it works!
Sorry to hear you are sick, that is one way to diet...
My hispanic friends here in arizona swear by drinking Taquilla, to cure everything...I have not tried it, maybe you can get back to me on that. Get well soon!
Can I add booze to this tea?
Hope you feel better. I like Tracy's Tom Yum soup recco - smart advice!
I'm a chicken soup gal when under the weather but my mom would have definitely added some booze to your creation - hse called it a hot toddy and always whipped one up to beat a cold!
Glad you are on the mend!
I am so sorry you've been under the weather! Poor you! Sending you big get-well hugs...
I am so impressed that you had the energy to post this gorgeous tea recipe! I love chai, and your homemade version sounds absolutely scrumptious... Very soothing and healing indeed! When I'm sick I love hot tea... It's the best comfort...
I hope the delicious tea will help and you will be feeling better soon!
MMMM gotta love tea! Hope you are feeling better!! And too freakin funny about the "real" housewives LOL totally had me rolling :)
Get well soon Diva! X
I have the nagging feeling that with a name like "Magical Healing Tea", you're leaving out an ingredient ;)
Hope you feel better soon!
Oh Diva - mine's a hot whiskey when I'm poorly (it's the stuff that makes you sick when you're well and well when you're sick!). I like the fact that you used Barry's tea bags for your spicy tea - quality stuff indeed - I hope it's helping you on the road to recovery. Just you mind yourself now and get well soon.
Feel better soon {{{hugs}}} We even get the Real Housewife of NYC all the way over here. But I don't watch it, out of protest for you! LOL
You are one dedicated blogger--I KNEW I could count on you for an interesting alcoholic beverage no matter how sick you were! :)
Feel better soon.
Dan
Casual Kitchen
I do hope you're feeling better (since I'm late again to this post!)
With that said, since I'm hale and hearty for the time being, booze is definitely not optional; it's going in there, with an extra shot for good measure!
Hope you feel better soon. This tea sounds wonderful. Perhaps a splash of vodka will knock those germs out of your system?
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