Lime & Mint Iced Tea

This recipe was inspired by the mojitos I made a couple of weekends ago, which were delicious but for a non-alcoholic and much healthier version, check this out: lime & mint iced green tea. I'm amazed at my own creativity. 

I used jasmine green tea because I was also trying to recreate the amazing iced tea I had at Ping Pong a few weeks ago, but also because it is my favourite kind of green tea. For a mintier flavour, use peppermint tea, or green tea with mint. You can use just about anything for this, actually. I love iced tea any time of year, but it's especially good for the warmer months.

Recipe for Lime & Mint Iced Tea

Makes about 6 glasses

Ingredients:

• 4 limes
• 4 tbsp sweet freedom (or sugar)
• One packet of fresh mint, (or about 40 leaves)
• Three teabags of your choice – I used jasmine green tea
• Ice
• Water

Method:

1. Put your teabags in a jug and let the tea steep in boiling water for a few minutes. Because I used green tea I didn't want to leave it in too long because it can leave a bitter taste. So I left mine in for two minutes. Then put it in the fridge to cool. Add some ice to speed up the cooling process.

3. While the tea is cooling, juice the four limes, wash the mint and put it all in another jug. Bash it all up with a wooden spoon – this will release the mint oils.

4. Add the sugar or sweet freedom and mix it all together. Pour this into another jug in which you'd like to serve your tea and add some ice.

5. Add the cooled tea and garnish with extra mint leaves and lime wedges.

6. Pour and serve with even more ice and mint. Healthy, delicious, refreshing and perfect for these beautifully light evenings we're getting. I am definitely making this when I finally get round to having my first barbeque of the year.

Do you think you'll have a go at making this? It's really easy and sooo yummy. Lime and mint just work together. What's your go to recipe for iced tea? Let me know in the comment box below or tweet me @hello_flower – I am loving iced tea at the moment and would love to know all your recommendations.

Winter Comforts - Chocolate & Banana Crumble

The other day I was thinking about puddings. I love pudding. I have it every day, whether it be in the form of a cookie and a cup of tea or a bowl of ice cream, I have this need to finish a meal with something sweet. I might have a problem. Anyway, for some reason I thought of this chocolate and banana crumble. Out of all the crumble combinations, this one has to be my favourite. I asked my mum for the recipe, because, seriously guys, it is amazing, and you have to try it too.


It tastes like barbequed bananas with melted chocolate stuffed inside the skins, with the added comfort of everyone's favourite crumble topping. A perfect taste of summer as we head further into winter. Plus, it's quick and cheap to make. No time consuming peeling of fruit or hefty chopping involved, this is the easiest and, in my opinion, nicest crumble to eat during the colder months. It even tastes good cold. My mum couldn't find the recipe anywhere so she estimated the quantities and it all turned out OK. 

 

I pinched the recipe for the crumble topping from Delia's Complete Illustrated Cookery Course book, which you can purchase here.

Recipe for Chocolate & Banana Crumble.

Serves 6.

Ingredients - for the filling:

• Juice of half a lemon. 
• Four bananas. 
• 200g dark chocolate. 
• Two tablespoons of demerara sugar.

For the crumble topping:

• 100g plain flour
• 35g butter
• 35g soft brown sugar

Method:

1. Preheat your oven to 180°C. Roughly chop the chocolate with a sharp knife or one of these fancy things that I found in my mum's kitchen drawer. I have no idea what it's called but it does the job brilliantly.

2. Put the chopped chocolate to one side in a bowl, and peel and chop the bananas.

3. Spread out the bananas into an ovenproof dish. Pour the lemon juice and the demerara sugar over them. 

4. Mix it all together so all the bananas are covered well in the sugar and lemon.

5. Add the chocolate and mix in with the bananas.

6. Now to make the crumble topping - bung everything into one bowl and rub together with your fingers. Or if you're lazy use a food processor, but I find this takes up more time and more washing up.

7. Sprinkle the topping over the bananas and chocolate and spread evenly with a fork.

8. Pop into the oven for about half an hour - keep an eye on it - and when it's browning slightly on the top it's done and ready to eat. Serve with a glass of milk. YUMMAY.

Will you try your hand at this recipe? Let me know in the comment box below or tweet me @hello_flower. I'd love to see photos if you do decide to make it.