Gingerbread Love!

I have to say i am obssessed a bit with Gingerbread at the moment! Yum Yum Yum!!! I whipped up a batch over the weekend and what gloriousness awaited me when i popped one in my mouth..... a burst of ginger and mixed spiced in a buttery cookie! Twas delicious! I will post the recipe and pictures in the days to come but in the mean time i have been inspired by all things Gingerbread..... Enjoy

Read the story behind this gingerbread house

Check out these amazing gingerbread houses!!!

I hope your christmas preparations are going well...... if you need any last minute christmas gifts be sure to check out the Simply Tea Website!

Visit Us At: The Simply Tea Shop ~ "For The Love Of Tea" ~

Tea Time Range Instore Now!

 Just a quick update to let you know that our Tea Time range is in store now!

Tiered Cake Stand

 

Tea Time Caddy Tin

Tea Time Tray

Get your orders in before the 20th of December to receive them in time for Christmas!

Be sure to visit THE SIMPLY TEASHOP for some unique Christmas presents! We can do up hampers and gift packs to order simply email us on: orders@thesimplyteashop.com.au with your requests!

Visit Us At: The Simply Tea Shop ~ "For The Love Of Tea" ~

Christmas Shortbread

I love Christmas time as i get to pull out all my favourite Christmas recipes that i can only whip up at this time of year.... think rocky road, rum balls, white chocolate, cranberry & pistachio balls, boozy fruit cake and these buttery melt-in-your-mouth shortbread biscuits. 

These delectable shortbread slices are really easy to make and would also make great gifts, wrapped in  cellophane with a little bow or in a cute gift box.... if any are left after they have come out of the oven.They are a little irresistible really!!

Imagine a fun filled afternoon, sitting back and relaxing with friends or family, enjoying the breeze from the wind (or air conditioner). The tribe is feeling a bit peckish and need a afternoon christmas time snack.... pull these delectable treats out for them...... You won't have any left!

Christmas Shortbread

{ Download & Print Recipe }

Ingredients:

125g Butter, Room Temperature
60g Icing Sugar
60g Rice Flour
125g Plain Flour
Pinch Salt
Sugar for sprinkling.

Method:

1.    Preheat oven to 180 -200 Degrees.
2.    Add softened butter to a mixing bowl and sift dry ingredients over the top. Mix with hands until combined and a dough forms. Knead together until combined.
3.    On a pizza tray place non-stick baking paper and place dough which has been rolled into a ball onto tray.
4.    With a rolling pin roll out dough to about 1cm thick keeping a circular shape. Pinch edges to create a scalloped edge. Prick dough all over with a fork and then sprinkle sugar on top.
5.    Cut the dough into small even slices and place into preheated oven. Cooke for about 30 minutes or until golden brown. Cut through the lines you previously made while the shortbread is still hot and soft. Let it cool before removing from tray.
6.    Enjoy!!!

Simply Tea Match

These gorgeous little slices of shortbread have a rich buttery flavour and would generally match with most teas. If it's hot where you live i would go for a nice glass of Iced Tea using one of our delicious Fruit Infusions: Berry Licious or Turkish Apple.

Turkish Apple.... $7.00/100g

Turkish apple is  a beautifully sweet and tangy drink, just like sweet apple. Drink hot or cold as served in Turkish Bazaars.

To make Turkish Apple Iced Tea simply add 1 tablespoon of  Turkish Apple to 3 tablespoons of warm water. Dissolve  in the warm water and add 1 cup of cold water. 
Add a few sprigs of mint, a wedge of lime and some ice cubes!

You can also make this into a punch by using lemonade instead of water and add some tinned crushed fruit!

Berry Licious..... $12.00/100g

Berry Licious is a high grade fruit infusion of exquisite ingredients; blackcurrant, strawberry, blackberry, bilberry, elderberry, hibiscus blossoms and rose hip. 

To make iced tea using simply infuse 1 tablespoon of Berry Licious to 1 cup of  warm water until the desired strength is reached. Add 1 tablespoon of Sugar per cup of water used. Refridgerate (or add ice cubes) until cold. 

Why not be a little bit naughty and make an adult iced tea with the addition of white rum!

You can purchase either of these tea's in our online Teashop

Visit Us At: The Simply Tea Shop ~ "For The Love Of Tea" ~

17 Days Until Christmas.....

Image From Here

The days are slowly flicking down as christmas draws closer!

How are your christmas prepartions going?

What is on the menu for your christmas day breakfasts/lunches & dinners?

Would love to hear about them.....

Visit Us At: The Simply Tea Shop ~ "For The Love Of Tea" ~

Getting In the Spirit Of Christmas

 It is officially 25 days until christmas.... eek! Doesn't that make your heart race a little and little beads of sweat appear on your forehead as your mind runs through the numerous tasks to be done, presents to buy, decorations to put up, crowds to fight , things to bake, presents to wrap.... and the list goes on! Why does christmas always have to be so complicated and stressful? Every year i think "let's make is less complicated" but as the days rush by it just doesn't seem to happen! Do you ever think like this? What do you do to make christmas less complicated?

These little Mini Chocolate Puddings are really easy to make and fuss free which is great for the busy lead up to christmas! Make sure you add them to your Christmas Recipe List!

{Downloand & Print Recipe}

Mini Choc Christmas Puddings

Ingredients:

700g plum pudding (or fruit cake)
250g dark eating chocolate, melted
1/2 cup brandy/ or rum *optional (i only put 1-2 tablespoons)
1/2 cup icing sugar
200g white chocolate melts
green/red lollies, cut to resemble berries and leaves

Method:
1. Crumble pudding/or cake into a large bowl. Stir in melted dark chocolate, icing sugar, and alcohol.
2. Roll level tablespoons of mixture into balls, place on tray, cover, refridgerate until firm.
3. Melt white chocolate in small heatproof bowl over small saucepan of simmering water. Cool chocolate 10 min. Drizzle over puddings to form "custard"; decorate with lollies.

Simply Tea Match

I would recommend drinking our Chai Tea with theses gorgeous little Chocolate Puddings. The chai is a strong base of India teas, blended with rich warm spices; cinnamon, cloves, cardamon and ginger. The  spices in the chai tea will blend nicely with the "pudding" flavours in these little morsels. You can purchase our Chai Tea for $11.00/100g or a sample bag for $2.00.

ORDER NOW

For a unique christmas gift idea why not make some of these little mini christmas puddings in a gift pack with a packet of Simply Tea's Chai Tea? Or another flavour in our range?

Simply Tea also does gift hampers and gift packs for all occasions.... especially christmas!

For all enquiries email: info@thesimplyteashop.com.au

Happy Sipping............

Visit Us At: The Simply Tea Shop ~ "For The Love Of Tea" ~

Tea Time Fun!!.... Check It Out

I can't believe how the week has flown. Time flies when you're having fun...... well it still flies when your not! I looked at my last post and i cannot believe that i haven't posted in anything for over a week. My bad! I have been a bit slack all round really this week... i haven't done up a recipe for the week or taken any photos, or baked BUT I do have some exciting news... well on the scale of excitement (1 being boring - 10 being out of this world) the news is probably 5 but it's still great news for you my Simply Tea lovers!

Introducing Our "Tea Time" Range

 COMING SOON!!

I finally found some cute new products worthy of adding to our Simply Tea Store.

They are the cutest additions ever if i don't say so myself!

 First we have our "Tea Time" 3 Tiered Cake Stand. (RRP $28.00)

This would be perfect for those entertainers out there - you can whip this little cutie out and pop all your little baked items on it! Great for any occasion - especially those "High Tea's"! I can see cute little macaroons, jam drop biscuits, mini lamingtons, scones and pikelets piled up high on these cake stands!

 Second we have our Medium Tea Time Melamine Tray. (RRP $12.00)

 I thought these tray's were perfect for those times when you want to pop your favourite pot of tea and teacup, a few of those yummy fresh baked biccies on it and plop it next to your while your sit back in your favourite recliner curled up with your favourite book! What more could you want?? Well i am sure there are a million other great uses for these fantastic trays!

 Lastly these adorable Tea Time Tea Caddy's (50g) (RRP $10.00)

Who wouldn't want to store your favourite tea in these adorable Tea Caddy Tins? What about christmas present ideas? Wouldn't the whole collection make a great gift or even one item paired with a packet of one of our great 37 Flavours of Tea?

These little additions are on there way with the post man as we speak! So if you would like to place "Pre Orders" for christmas gifts etc be sure to email me at.

info@thesimplyteashop.com.au

Keep an eye out on our website as i add these cuties and hopefully some new products as the new year proceeds!

I would love to hear any suggestions of things that you may like added to our store or something in particular your chasing?

Happy Sipping!!

Visit Us At: The Simply Tea Shop ~ "For The Love Of Tea" ~

31 Days & Counting Down!

Can you believe that it is 31 Days until Christmas... EEK! The craziness begins... well it probably started back in october when the crazy stores started putting out there christmas decorations and playing christmas carols already!  I like christmas day, being with family, enjoying a meal together, relaxing and opening presents but the lead up to the day is downright insane. The rushes at the stores, the high expectation for the day, the Chrisco ads.... oh don't get me started on them! HA Anyway i do like christmas not just the days leading up to it! I have tried to abstain from thinking about christmas until the 1st of December but that just wasn't possible... to be truly organized for the day i think you need to give your mind some advanced notice for the incoming madness!

Cute Christmas "Tea" Print

I love this cute tea cabinet!

These christmas inspired macaroons are so cute!

What things do you love and hate about christmas time?

Visit Us At: The Simply Tea Shop ~ "For The Love Of Tea" ~

Crazy Teapots!

I love to collect teapots... sifting through op shops, antique stores, garage sales etc to look for those different and unusual teapots! They all have there own character each speaking it's own story.... whether they are quirky, pretty, taky or just plain funny! Here are a few that i found that i thought had some interesting character to them!

 Wouldn't want to slip while pouring this teapot... ouch!

I'll just whip up an apron while the tea is brewing??

A Pot of Mr Ed anyone?

Is this a teapot or a toaster?

Surf the web while you wait for your tea to brew!

This teapot takes "Tea for Two" to a whole new level!

For the artist... who needs to "critic" something!

Hands up and no one will get steamed!

The buzzzzzing behive of tea!

Picnic and Tea in the park!

For all those UFO believers out there!!

Which one is your favourite, why?..... i think the cactus teapot has some "extreme" character! :-)

Visit Us At: The Simply Tea Shop ~ "For The Love Of Tea" ~

Flavours Of Summer... Hummingbird Cake

Summer Summer Glorious Summer.... WHERE ARE YOU!!! Is that how you are feeling at the moment? I know i am! It feels like Old Man Winter has kept his wintry claws into this spring season with "cool" temperatures and rainy skies lingering on and i am hoping he will be blown away for good by the time summer comes along! I want to eat ice cream and summer fruits, go for a swim and lie in the sun! Wear nice flowy dresses and thongs and have BBQ outside listening to the crickets sing in the background!

I decided to whip up the hummingbird cake after my previous recipe alterations to the original cake recipe due to failure of the proper ingredients! The Ripe sweet passionfruit, tart pineapple and banana are some of my favourite summer fruits which give this cake a BIG taste of summer! SO whip it up this weekend (or even today) to sink your teeth into this deliciously soft cake bursting full of summer fun & flavour!

{Download & Print Recipe}

Summer Lovin` Hummingbird Cake

 Ingredients:
450g Crushed Pineapple in Syrup
1 Cup Plain Flour
½ Cup Self Raising Flour
½ Tsp Bicarb Soda
½ Tsp Cinnamon
½ Tsp Ground Ginger
1 Cup Brown Sugar
½ Cup Desiccated Coconut
1 Cup Mashed Banana (2 x Large)
2 Eggs, Beaten Lightly
¾ Cup Vegetable Oil

Passionfruit Icing:
3 x Passionfruit
2 – 2 ½ cups Icing Sugar, sifted
1 Tbsp Butter
1 Tsp Vanilla
3 Tbsp Lemon Juice

Method:
1.    Preheat oven to 180 Degrees, Line 20cm Cake tin or Slice Tin
2.    Drain pineapple – keep ¼ cup of the liquid.
3.    Sift Flours, soda, spices and add sugar into a large bowl.
4.    Stir in pineapple, reserved pineapple juice, coconut, banana, egg and oil; pour into prepared tin.
5.    Bake cake for about 40 min or until a skewer comes out clean.
6.    Icing: Sift icing sugar into a bowl and add remaining ingredients. Stir to combine. Ice cake once cool.

Simply Tea Suggestions

Since this is a summer inspired post i think i should stay on the theme with a tea suggestion to go with this beautiful cake! I think the best tea to accompany a cake like this would be our "Turkish Apple" fruit infusion. This tea can be served hot or cold but i would suggest serving it as an iced tea on a nice hot day with a slice of this hummingbird cake. The turkish apple fruit infusion is a beautifully sweet and tangy drink, just like sweet apple. Be sure to add a handful of mint leaves and some lime wedges to the iced tea to make it pure summer in a cup! You can purchase our Turkish Apple for $7.00/100g or a sample bag for $2.00

ORDER NOW

What are you waiting to do when summer comes???

Happy Sipping!

Visit Us At: The Simply Tea Shop ~ "For The Love Of Tea" ~

Sneek Peak For Next Week's Recipe!

I thought I would show you a sneak peak of next weeks recipe.... a delicious and summery Hummingbird Cake! Full of yummy summery flavours such as pineapple, banana and passionfruit! Yummo.....

So keep an eye out for the full recipe and lots more goodies coming up next week!

Have a great weekend!

Happy Sipping.....



Visit Us At: The Simply Tea Shop ~ "For The Love Of Tea" ~

Wacky Tea...

Where is the weirdest place you have had a cup of tea?? In the bath.... in the shower or maybe on the toilet! Hmmm! I found some cute "Tea" inspired photo's that made me think of weird places to drink tea? Maybe at a concernt... while your in the mosh pit! Now that wouldn't be so fun if it's piping hot! What about in space...in a space shuttle now that would be interesting drinking!

From Here

What about in a record store?? 

Image from HERE

Or with a giant  mice and a teddy bear?

Image HERE

 maybe with a strange tatooed girl??

Image HERE

What about with frankenstein? Now that would be interesting!

Image from HERE

Or with your favourite stuffed animal?

Image From HERE

 Or maybe somewhere not so weird but wonderful... FRANCE!!! Yes please

Wherever or with whoever... Tea is a universal drink..... So why not make yourself a cup today!
How's your week been so far?

 Happy Sipping

Visit Us At: The Simply Tea Shop ~ "For The Love Of Tea" ~