A Spot of Tea For Dessert? Three Great Recipes!

Tea is a very healthy, popular beverage in many cultures, yet few people realize that it can also be used to prepare other foods, including tasty sweets that are sure to impress any guest. Tea is more than a delicious drink, it has been used for centuries to treat everything from tummy aches to stress. Tea is the ultimate antioxidant elixir, as versatile as it is guiltless. If you are looking for an exotic way to broaden your culinary repertoire, give these tasty tea-infused treats a try.

Tea and Lemon Ice

For a light and refreshing treat, try this recipe from Hungry Monster, which combines the fresh flavor of lemon with the rich flavor of Golden Moon lapsang souchong tea.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup (prepared and cooled) of your preferred tea
• 2 lemons
• 1 cup sugar
• 1 cup water
• 1 egg white
• 6 tbs carbonated water

Directions:

• Peel the lemons, avoiding the bitter pith, and squeeze the juice (set the juice aside).
• Mix sugar, water, and lemon rind in a saucepan. Bring to boil until the sugar is dissolved. Leave it to cool.
• Beat the egg white lightly with the carbonated water.
• Mix in the rest of the ingredients with a whisk.
• Freeze the mixture and transfer to the fridge about a half hour before serving it.

Maple Rice Chai Pudding

Available courtesy of Organic Athlete, this recipe yields a creamy, wholesome rice pudding. The dessert serves six people and requires 10 minutes of prep time, followed by 30 minutes of cooking.

Ingredients:

• 2 tea bags, Indian chai-spiced tea of your choice
• 2/3 cup almond milk
• 1 TB arrowroot powder, dissolved in 3 TB water
• 2 cups cooked brown rice
• 4 TB pure maple syrup, grade B
• 2 TB coconut butter
• 2 tsp cinnamon, ground
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• pinch of salt
• fresh pecans or almonds, chopped, for garnish

Directions:

• Combine almond milk and tea bags over medium-low heat in a medium saucepan. Warm gently, and cook 6-7 minutes. Remove tea bags, squeezing gently to release tea flavor.
• Mix in dissolved arrowroot powder.
• Add brown rice and other remaining ingredients, stirring well to combine.
• Increase to medium-high heat, bringing the mixture to a light boil. Stir frequently to prevent rice from sticking to bottom of pan.
• Continue cooking until liquid has reduced (about 8-10 minutes).
• Garnish with chopped fresh pecans or almonds.
• Serve warm or chilled.

Green Tea Ice Cream

This recipe, courtesy of Foodista, makes a scrumptious green tea ice cream, the perfect addition to any summer gathering.

Ingredients:

• 1 tbs vanilla extract
• 1 1/4 cups heavy whipping cream
• 1/4 cup caster sugar
• 2 egg yolks
• 1 1/4 cups milk
• 1 tbs sugar
• 2 tbs water
• 2 tbs green tea leaves

Directions:

• Boil water. Add sugar and dry leaves. Soak for 10 to 12 minutes.
• Bring milk to a boil and pour over the tea. Let stand five minutes.
• In a separate bowl, combine caster sugar and egg yolks. Beat for three minutes.
• Strain the milk mixture into the caster sugar and yolk mixture, whisking continuously.
• In a saucepan, heat the mixture until it thickens, stirring continuously. Remove from heat. Refrigerate at least four hours.
• Whip heavy cream and fold into tax mixture. Add vanilla extract.
• Pour into ice cream machine. Churn until frozen. Freeze at least one hour.