So, let me say first and foremost. I am up at 4:30 am yet again! I'm not really sure what's causing my awful sleeping patterns. I really believe I need to start my diet again (not really a diet just a healthier way of life which I will be starting yet again on 9/29; my first day of culinary school.) I mean don't get me wrong I still have a treat here and there just not as much! IT KEEPS ME ASLEEP AT NIGHT!! Well anyways, I figured since I'm up and I'm indulging in one of my favorite good for you treats then we may as well talk about it! TEA! That's right, tea. With out tea and broccoli my world would probably collapse. Although I love tea, I'm not about going in the realm of crazy teas. I'll drink the occasional green tea or berry blossom or when I am stressed chamomile but all in all black tea is where I'm at. I drink decaf black with milk and a little sugar. I probably drink like 6 big cups a day too! Tea is filled with anti-oxidants and has actually been said to help you live longer. I say the perfect cup of black tea is brewed in anywhere between 3-5 minutes. Green, oolong and white tea take about 2-3 minutes. Herbal teas are same as black 3-5 minutes. Now you're suppose to brew all tea at different temperatures too but I feel as though as long as you don't leave the tea brewing too long you're pretty set to go. I wish I could have more tea parties and little lunches. Maybe when I move. Well, I am going to try and head back to sleep, but not before a few little recipes. These are some delicious little tea time snacks.
Caramelized Onion and Dill Tea Sandwiches
1 Softball Size Sweet Onion or 2 medium, julienned very thin
One package of cream cheese at room temp (low fat is fine, never fat free though it's loaded with sugar!)
1 Tbsp chopped dill
salt and pepper to taste
1/2 English Cucumber, sliced thin
A loaf of soft white bread, (crusts removed please)
Place a saute pan over medium heat with a pad of butter and about a tbsp of olive oil. Add the onions and let caramelize until the color of a deep deep caramel. Be careful not to burn the onions you want a slow caramelization. (this makes the onions super sweet and in my opinion it's the best way to eat an onion) This process will take 20-30 minutes. Once caramelized, let cool. In a bowl blend together, onions, dill, salt, pepper and cream cheese with an electric mixer. (I use my pink stand mixer that I love dearly.) Spread cream cheese mixture onto half the slices of bread and top with sliced cucumber, then with other slice of bread. Cut the sandwiches on a diagonal and there you go! Delicious tea sandwiches.
P.s. Change it up use roasted red peppers or artichokes instead of cucumber, or use tarragon or basil instead of dill! Also its super fun to use cookie cutters to cut out the sandwiches so they are fun shapes!!!
Turkey Wrapped Asparagus
12 pieces of asparagus, woody ends trimmed.
6 thin slices of turkey (your favorite, I like the kind with the pepper on it)
Salt and Pepper
Olive oil
Preheat the oven to 375 degrees.
Place all the asparagus on a baking sheet drizzle ever so lightly with olive oil, salt and pepper. Roll around to coat. Take the take turkey and cut it in half (either length or width wise depending on the shape and size of your turkey if they are small slices I would use one per piece and up it to 12 slices of turkey) Wrap a slice of turkey around the asparagus using the turkey to seal on the other side. Place in the oven for about 10 minutes or until golden! yum!
Don't love turkey? Try ham, sliced chicken or even bacon! yum.
Hope you like them!
p.s. i didnt take the picture of the tea, though I wish I did.
