Russian (Friendship) Tea Update

It is the day after a beautiful Easter. It snowed!

Adrian decided to play with our “Rotten” tea recipe so we did not need to use Tang and also to use less sugar. This is what he came up with.

Instant Mocha Mix

Mark and Katie gave us this recipe. Everyone likes as is, but I prefer it with whipping cream to make it creamer and thicker.

Experiment with different powdered creamers and omitting or swapping the spices.

Chunky Apple Muffins

I am not exactly sure when I was given this recipe, but I know it is from my mom. These muffins are a great when you went apple picking and picked a lot more apples than you thought.

Egg Nog

At a Christmas party this year, one of my children tried store bought egg nog. He was so disappointed that it was nothing like this recipe that Allan has been making us for years. He was sure to request that Daddy make some “real” egg nog soon.

I know that some people prefer alcohol in egg nog, but I think it is non essential! Using freshly grated nutmeg is the best, but use powder if that is what you have.

If you are concerned about eating raw eggs, either buy pasteurized eggs, or look online on how to make them yourself.

Wishing Cookies

Aunt Bonnie made us these cookies for the first time nine years ago. She told us that “if you break them into three pieces without talking, your wish comes true”. It has never been proven, since my kids can’t stop talking long enough to break a cookie into three pieces 🙂

Hot Cross Buns

Oma gave this recipe to Mark many years ago after she made them for Easter dinner and he really enjoyed them and wanted to make more. Her original recipe did not call for most of the spices, but we prefer them with it.

Elephant Ears

I learned how to make elephant ears in high school cooking class.  But I never made them again until after we went to the fair in 2009.

The kids all wanted elephant ears and we were on a tight budget. I told them that we could make elephant ears at home.  So we researched recipes and made  them.

We often make them after the fair now.

“Rotten Tea”

Grandma Reble's Recipe
Grandma Reble’s Recipe

Many years ago, my friend Charlotte,  shared this tea with me on the way to school.  I thought it was great and she gave me the recipe for “friendship tea.”  I made it a few times and forgot about it.

Years later, I was given the recipe for “Russian Tea” from Mom McGuire.  We played with the recipe and made it in a variety of ways.  Adrian has always enjoyed it.  He thought it was called “Rotten Tea” and that is what we call it at home more often than not.

Saffron Rolls

Whenever we go to Calumet, Michigan, Daddy stops to buy us saffron bread or saffron rolls.  Often he buys extra and brings some home to freeze until Easter.  My rolls are not quite as pretty as the ones he buys, but they sure taste great!

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