I’m sick. It doesn’t happen very often, and this cold is really making me feel cruddy. I am craving foods that give my insides a cuddle that only a warm, fuzzy blanket on a cold day can bring. Since my throat is pretty raw, and talking has become an issue, my first love has been tea.
When I was growing up, my mom would whip up a batch of Russian Tea mix in the fall. I loved coming inside from playing in the snow, and smelling the orange and spicy aroma of this tea. I still make a batch every fall, just to make sure I am prepared for the cold, snowy days of winter.
The ingredient list is pretty simple:
I have modified the recipe that is listed in our church cookbook, but that is the beauty of this recipe. You can tweak it to suit your taste.
Russian Tea Mix
2 cups Tang powdered orange drink (this works much better than orange Kool-aid)
1 1/2 cups sugar (I omit the sugar – this is sweet enough without it)
3/4 cup unsweetened lemon flavored instant tea
1/3 cup powdered lemonade (I use a couple packets of True Lemon instead)
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
Mix all ingredients…or, if you are like me, put all ingredients into a food processor and pulse until all particles are the same size. I prefer everything to be well mixed, and the same size so everything dissolves evenly. Store in an airtight container. Add 2 tablespoons of tea mix to an 8 ounce mug of boiling water.
Lately, I’ve been adding a splash of cranberry juice to my tea. If it’s before bed, I may add a splash of Prairie Vodka as well. It is my form of NyQuil.
What are some of your favorite comfort foods that you crave when not feeling well? Share your recipes, if you’d like. I’d love to try them!
