Chai Tea

Chai Tea

Tea drinkers and non-tea drinkers all love this steamy, spicy beverage. I myself am a huge fan of tea. It's good fro my health and my happiness. It's perfect for relaxing at night, for cozying up to a book, waking up in the morning and it's also very good for stomach problems. When I was with my grandma on Christmas she was showing me all of her options of tea because she knows how much I love it. When I saw Chai I knew I had never tried it, but she told me it was delicious. The first time I took a sip My whole body tingled and all of my insides instantly warmed up. You know that feeling when you get after drinking hot choclate after a huge snowball fight? Yeah! That's what it was like!

When I found this recipe to my favorite tea I had to try it! It added a few different elements to it to add some sweetness and creaminess I hadn't never tasted before. This recipe is sure to put a smile on your face. And, if you're like me it'll take you back to a breezy Christmas evening with you wonderful grandma. Enjoy!

Ingrediants

1) loose Chai tea leaves

2)loose oolang tea leaves

3)ground cinnamon

4)Cinnamon sticks

5)pure cane sugar

6)brown sugar

7)half and half or choice of cream

8)milk

9)honey

10)water

Directions

Boil a small pan of water. While the water is boiling mix the Chai and Oolang leaves together ina small bowl along with pure cane sugar and the ground cinnamon. When the water is ready fill up a mug half full! You need room for the milk and other toppings so don't over fill it! Fill a small tea strainer will the tea leaves and set it in your mug. The more leaves, the stronger the tea! Make sure to cover the top so that it stays hot! Let it sit fro about 2-3 minutes. Come back and add a small amount of milk and Half and Half to the tea. Put in as much as you like! It's more of a personal preference. You may add brown sugar and honey if you'd like! When that's all finished you may also add a cinnamon stick or two for presentation! Now... drink up!

Sloppy Joe and Mac&Cheese Casserole

Sloppy Mac Casserole

Forget the buns and the messes, but don't forget the fun! This casserole has the easy and tasty feeling of mac& Cheese and Sloppy Joes. Both meals that kids love. When  I think casserole, I think easy delicious meal that my mom has prepared for the family or for thanksgiving. It's a perfect meal or side dish for a family feast. This casserole holds all the messy childhood memories in one. And you don't have to be a kid to love it. Who doesn't love new, unique foods for the family to try together? 

This casserole is great for parties and family night dinners. Sometimes families don't get to sit down and eat together. my family doesn't everybody is on the go 24/7 all week. Sometimes all you need is great dish to gather the family around the table for a nice conversation around a great meal!

3 tablespoons dark brown sugar
3 tablespoons red wine vinegar3 tablespoons Worcestershire sauceOne 15-ounce can tomato sauce2 tablespoons EVOO1 1/2 pounds ground beef (80-to-85-percent lean)Kosher salt and freshly ground pepper3 to 4 cloves garlic, finely chopped1 red bell pepper, seeded and finely chopped1 onion, finely chopped1 cup beef broth12 ounces elbow macaroni with ridges2 cups shredded yellow Cheddar1/2 cup chopped crisp deli-style dill pickles

Directions

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.

Combine the brown sugar, vinegar, Worcestershire sauce and tomato sauce in a small bowl. Heat the EVOO in a large skillet or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add the beef and cook until well browned. Season with salt and lots of pepper. Add the garlic, bell peppers and onions and cook, stirring, for 5 minutes. Pour the tomato mixture over the beef, add the beef broth and stir until well combined. Simmer until thickened, 5 to 10 minutes.

Meanwhile, cook the macaroni in a large pot of salted boiling water until not quite tender, about 5 minutes. Drain and add to the sauce. Pour the mixture into a casserole dish and top with the cheese.

Bake until the casserole is bubbling and the top is browned. Top with the pickles and serve from the dish.

Cook's Note: The unbaked casserole can be covered and refrigerated for a make-ahead meal. Bring to room temperature and bake as directed before serving.

Ground Beef Pasta

Cold days and snow. Chilling wind and icy eyelashes. Most people like winter. It comes along with many beautiful and fun things such as hot chocolate and snowball fights, long nights and warming fires, fuzzy socks and heavy blankets, movies and pretty scarves and mittens, sledding and ice skating, not to mention christmas time. What most people don't enjoy is being freezing cold until they can't move their bodies. That's never fun. That's why i have this delicious and steamy meal for those cold wintery nights. You'll feel cozy and warm within your first bite. The meat and vegetables give you comfort, while the pasta and sauce make add texture and popping flavors! 

Remember when you were young and the frigid weather would sometimes give you a cold? You'd come home with a runny nose and cold ears. Most children will remember coming home to a mother or grandmother with some sort of warm soup or stew to help with that nasty bug. This is a perfect dish to serve to your children or grandchildren if they have a or cold or even just to serve on a chilly night.

You will Need

2 lbs ground beef
1 onion, chopped
3 carrots, chopped
4 stalks celery, chopped
2 (28 ounce) cans diced tomatoes, undrained
1 (16 ounce) can red kidney beans, drained
1 (16 ounce) can white kidney beans, drained
3 (10 ounce) cans beef stock
3 teaspoons oregano
2 teaspoons pepper
5 teaspoons parsley
1 teaspoon Tabasco sauce 
1 (20 ounce) jar spaghetti sauce

Directions:
Throw the brown beef in a skillet. Drain the fat from beef and add it to crock pot with everything except pasta.
Cook on low  for 7-8 hours or on high for 4-5 hours. During the last 30 min on high or 1 hour on low, add pasta and stir and mix to your liking.

Double Chocolate Banana Bread

Double Chocolate Banana Bread

Chocolate, chocolate and more chocolate. Chocolate can either be something delicious and sweet that your sweet tooth cries for, or it can be the greatest gift to your belly. Sometimes chocolate can turn your mood around. Food in general can sometimes make you a happy person. Would you like to be a happy person? I like to be happy and most people do as well. Chocolate is a happy food. It's a calming sweetness for any sadness or craving. Chocolate bars, chocolate cake, chocolate chips, chocolate ice cream, chocolate syrup, chocolate cookies... is your mouth watering yet? It should be! Now, all you need is a partner for your yummy chocolate! How about.... bananas?! Think so? Me too! This double chocolate banana bread is great for any sweet tooth relief.

Once you try this there's no going back! You'll want it breakfast, lunch, dinner, dessert and everything in between! Remember if you ever need a mood lifting treat, this one if for you. It's perfect for parties, luncheons, a night a home with the family or even cute little gifts! Let the double chocolateyness fill up your tummy and fill up your mood!

You will need

1 cup all purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt
2 tablespoons cocoa powder
1/2 cup (8 tablespoons) soft unsalted butter
1/2 cup sugar
1 large egg
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 cup mashed banana (about 2 medium bananas)
1/2 cup sour cream
1 cup mini chocolate chips

Directions

Preheat the oven to 350°F. Lightly grease a loaf pan and set aside. In your choice of sized bowl, combine the flour, baking soda, salt, and cocoa and set that aside too. In a separate bowl, beat the butter and sugar until light and creamy. Beat in the egg, then stir in the vanilla, banana, and sour cream. Carefully, mix in the dry ingredients and chocolate chips until well incorporated. Pour the batter into the pan and bake for 55 to 60 minutes, or take a toothpick or knife and poke the bread to see if it comes out clean. If it does, then it is ready to go! Cool the bread in the pan for 10 minutes, then turn out onto a rack for it to cool off completely.