Steeping in the New Year with TeaTinis...

Wishing everybody a happy, healthy & fun 2010...

Boulder Blues Martini

Yields: 4, 5 oz servings

Ingredients:

• 8 oz Vodka
• 2 TBS BOULDER BLUES, to make tea concentrate, chilled*
• 2 oz Lemon Juice
• ½ TBS agave
• Strawberry and/or lemon slice for garnish

Preparation:

*How to make BOULDER BLUES concentrate:

1. Place 2 TBS of BOULDER BLUES green tea leaves in a 4 ounce measuring cup. Bring 3 ounces of water to boil and cool water for 3 minutes, bringing water temperature down to about 175°. Pour hot water over tea leaves and steep for 3 minutes. Strain out tea leaves and add enough ice to yield 8 ounces of tea. Tea Tip: Reserve tea leaves for re-steeping.
2. Pour ½ of all ingredients in a mixing glass. Add ice, shake to mix, strain into 2 martini glasses and garnish with strawberry and/or lemon. Repeat to yield 2 more servings.

Cheers...

MILKY COCONUT OOLONG BOUILLABAISSE

A perfect pair...

MILKY COCONUT OOLONG, a smooth and creamy oolong blended with roasted coconut...

BOUILLABAISSE, a provencal seafood stew with mussels, clams, scallops, shrimp & calamari...

MILKY COCONUT OOLONG BOUILLABAISSE

Yields: 4 servings

Ingredients:

1 qt fish stock

2 TBS MILKY COCONUT OONLONG

2 TBS olive oil

1 yellow onion, sliced

2 cups leeks, finely sliced

1 tsp garlic, chopped

1/4 tsp fennel seed

1 lb shrimp, shelled & deveined

8 clams

12 mussels

8 scallops

1 lb calamari

8 oz diced tomatoes, drained

1 cup white wine

1 bay leaf

1/4 tsp dried thyme

2 TBS parsley

salt & pepper to taste

Preparation:

1. Bring fish stock to a boil. Add the MILKY COCONUT OOLONG and steep for 5-6 minutes. Strain the tea leaves and reserve tea stock.
2. Heat oil in a straight side saute pan. Add the onions, leeks, garlic and fennel seed and sweat until soften.
3. Add shrimp, calamari & scallops, cover & cook for 2-3 minutes. 
4. Add clams & mussels. Cover and cook for 2-3 minutes. 
   
5. Add tomato, tea stock, wine, bay leaf, thyme & salt & pepper. Cover and bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer for 15 minutes until clams & mussels open.
6. To serve, place equal parts of mussels, clams, shrimp, scallops, calamari and broth in 4 bowls. Garnish with parsley and serve with crostini & rouille.

Teas the Season & Croc It Up: Local Holiday Gift Shopping...

Our neighbor, Crocs, is having their annual warehouse sale at Twin Peaks Mall and The Tea Spot will be there showcasing all their new products, sampling tea and offering daily specials. If you're in the area, it will be more than worth your while to stop by and stock up on holiday presents for friends and family. 

Located on the west side of Twin Peaks Mall:

Dec 10th - 14th: 10am - 7pm

Dec 17th - 20th: 10am - 7pm

Looking forward to seeing you there!!!