Iced Chai Latte

Sorry about my momentary hiatus this week. I wish I had a hectic schedule to complain about but honestly I just wasn't feeling the inspiration. 

Anyways, I'm back (mostly) and I wanted to share one of my favorite summer (actually year round... lezbehonest) treats: Iced Chai Lattes.  Naturally, I started loving these back in highschool (many, many moons ago) from Starbucks, but as I got older my tastebuds changed and the intensity of the sugar in their chai just became unbearable. (I've heard you can order them differently but I do not have the patience for that.) 

I eventually found an adequate replacement that was definitely not too sweet (in fact they make one that  is intentionally "slightly sweet" from this brand Oregon Chai. I originally tried their regular flavor after working at a local cafe that used this for their chai drinks and loved it way more than the Starbucks version, but while I was living in Davis for college I was in a local version of Whole Foods and stumbled upon their slightly sweet version and fell even more in love. 

Needless to say I am a total convert and I don't think that I could ever, ever buy another iced chai from Starbucks again since I've been able to make these at home. I swear if you try it this way you too will be forever converted!

(Also on a random and totally unrelated note, I realize how this is totally free advertising for whatever company that is printed on my pint glass. I am not even remotely affiliated with them and this post has nothing to do with them and appears on my blog purely out of coincidence.) 

Strawberry Bruschetta and Mint Iced Tea

My family loves to entertain. I have to admit living at home mostly stinks, but it can be really fun to make food for all the family friends that come over. Sunday nights I can count on a big dinner and lots of people and I usually take charge of appetizers and sides.

This weekend one of our family friends decided to bring ingredients for strawberry bruschetta (which I was originally skeptical about) that actually turned out great and was extremely simple to put together (and I actually highly recommend if you're throwing a dinner party and want an easy app). It was sweet, savory and totally delicious. I only wish I had grabbed the exact proportions for the recipe.

(It mixed cream and bleu cheese on toasted baguette with fresh strawberries and chopped chives).

On top of the easy h'orderves, I love to help my family provide cocktails, or refreshments that would otherwise not be included during dinner. Lately I have been really into making iced mint tea, which is a year round favorite hot or cold.


(To make a pitcher: Steep 4-5 mint tea bags in 1 cup boiled water. Remove bags, set aside (compost, reuse for another batch, or toss) add 1tsp of honey or agave mix and then add water and ice to taste.)