Tocha Taters

Tocha means Happy Tea

And I received 6 lovely canisters of very happy tea indeed.

The fact that Tocha Organic Tea is certified organic, pure, and blended to support a holistic lifestyle, is just the tip of the iceberg of reasons why I have fallen in love with this tea. Their philosophy not only encompasses your wellness, in mind and body (based on a belief that food and medicine come from the same source), but maintains a responsibility to mother nature and the earth as a whole.

Drinking tea is a very soothing experience in general, but after reading the story behind Tocha Tea, a sense of peace and wellness found it's way into my cup.

But I don't want to just tell you how good your cup of tea will be. Or how good you'll feel drinking it. That's your own personal experience to discover. I want to share an unusual tea experience,

Through food.

Through one of my favorite foods, to be more precise.

Let me introduce you to tea seasoned potatoes.

Yes, I used Tocha Green Defense Tea as a seasoning. Once ground up, the tea became a wonderful rub that added a subtle, slightly earthy flavor to my potatoes. I chose the Green Defense Tea based on its aroma. I wanted something that wasn't too floral or sweet. If I were using it in a dessert, such as cupcakes or something of that sort, floral would be perfect. What I needed was something more savory.

My recipe is lose in measurements and only uses a few ingredients, but I'll give you some guidelines. The rest is up to you, based on taste.

Tocha Taters

4 or 5 potatoes
2 or 3 bags of Tocha Green Defense Tea
1 or 2 tablespoons of oil (I used duck fat)
Salt and pepper

Preheat the oven to 375' F. Spray a cookie sheet with cooking spray or line with parchment paper. I roasted mine in a cast iron skillet.

Remove the tea from the bags and place in a small food processor or spice-designated coffee grinder. Pulse and grind until the tea becomes a fine powder.

Cut the potatoes into chunks and place in a medium bowl. Pour the oil over the potatoes and toss until coated. Sprinkle desired amount the ground tea, tossing to coat evenly. Season with salt and pepper to taste.

Roast for about 30 - 45 minutes, or until golden brown and tender. Serve hot.

 And there you have it. Delicious and unusual potatoes seasoned with a a tea that is just as beautiful inside as it is outside.

I was not compensated for this post,  All opinions are my own.

Ginger Peach Tea Sangria and a WINNER!

Let me start off by congratulating Mary from Midnite Baker for winning the Tate's Bake Shop Gift Basket Giveaway...WOOO HOOO!!! Congrats Mary! I hope you enjoy it :)

Just so you know, I love their first cookbook, Tate's Bake Shop Cookbook so much that I personally ordered the Baking with Friends Cookbook, using the 20% discount code: mom13 which is good through 5/12/13

Don't hesitate to use the discount code yourself, on any purchases made between now and 5/12/13. Mother's day is coming up fast.

You know what else is coming up fast? Summer. Its just around the corner. Gardens are happening. Which leads us to food. Some of you may not know, but I plant a small city garden just about every spring. I'd love to have a winter garden too but when I leave for work, it's dark. When I get home from work, it's dark. We don't get much rain in Los Angeles. Do you know how hard it is to water a garden in the dark? Me neither. Cuz I've never done it. Which is why I've never had a winter garden. I'd have to water the damn thing in the dark.

Which brings me to my other issue. During the winter, I get a lot of weeds in my garden area. It's a lot of work pulling those weeds and getting the dirt ready for precious little baby plants that will feed us throughout the summer season and often times into the fall (and early winter).

Not long ago, it was time to tackle those weeds. It's hard work. Back breaking. Neck sweating. Arm fatiguing. Thirst inducing. Hard work.

Ice tea is a great thirst quencher.

If you happen to have a really good, special ice tea waiting for you...it could be very motivating.

Or it could be very distracting....

On this particularly warm day, I had big plans.

But silly me threw together a nice batch of Ginger Peach Tea Sangria with some very soothing, cooling, enticing flavors. As I sat in my little corner of the backyard, sipping this refreshing drink....I contemplated those weeds....and figured...well, whether the glass is half empty or half full...the weeds are still there.

And can wait as I plan my attack for another day.

Eventually I got to those weeds pulled. But not that day.

I was too busy enjoying my drink.

Ginger Peach Tea Sangria

5 cups strong tea (I used Ginger Peach Tea, 6 cups of water to 12 tea bags...heated and steeped)
1 750ml bottle dry Riesling (save the bottle)
1 750ml bottle Pinot Grigio (save the bottle)
1 cup simple syrup (heat 1 cup water with 1 cup sugar until sugar dissolves)
1/2 cup orange liquor
1/2 cup brandy
2 cups club soda
Lime size chunk of fresh, peeled ginger

Combine all of the ingredients and allow to sit, refrigerated, over night. Spoon out the ginger and pour the sangria into the saved bottles (plus one or 2 more) using a funnel.

If you really like ginger....take that chunk of sangria soaked ginger and squeeze the liquid right into the bottles...and see what happens.....

Shall I say.....

This Sangria is Wicked Good!