Thursday, May 7, 2009

Thirsty Thursdays: Impending Death Edition

Perhaps you've guessed by my absence - both on my blog and yours - that all is not well in Divaland. True enough ... the Diva is, indeed, unwell. I don't get sick often, but when I do - I get really sick. I don't do things half-way. Like I always say, anything worth doing is worth doing right.

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
Place the water, cinnamon, ginger, peppercorns, cloves, cardamom and nutmeg in a sauce pan, cover and bring to a boil over high heat. Reduce heat to low and simmer for 15 minutes.

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:

Anonymous said...

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. :)

pixelgal said...

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,

Unknown said...

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!

The Diva on a Diet said...

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? ;)

Tracy said...

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.

The Diva on a Diet said...

Tracy - never mind me ... how are *you* feeling? Any baby yet?!? You've been on my mind all week. :)

Tracy said...

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.

Christo Gonzales said...

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!

The Wino said...

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!

Anonymous said...

Can I add booze to this tea?

Hope you feel better. I like Tracy's Tom Yum soup recco - smart advice!

deb said...

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!

Astra Libris said...

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...

Anonymous said...

I hope the delicious tea will help and you will be feeling better soon!

stephchows said...

MMMM gotta love tea! Hope you are feeling better!! And too freakin funny about the "real" housewives LOL totally had me rolling :)

The Vintage Kitten said...

Get well soon Diva! X

words...words...words... said...

I have the nagging feeling that with a name like "Magical Healing Tea", you're leaving out an ingredient ;)

Hope you feel better soon!

Daily Spud said...

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.

Carol said...

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

Daniel said...

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

Tangled Noodle said...

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!

The Messy Baker said...

Hope you feel better soon. This tea sounds wonderful. Perhaps a splash of vodka will knock those germs out of your system?