7.18.2012

back in the usa/the perfect summer drink

I just came back from a 2-week vacation in Beirut! I can't wait to share some of what I did and saw, but for now I wanted to write about how I spent part of my Tuesday. Monday I was at my parents' then with the bf, so I didn't escape back to my little studio until yesterday.


Nothing is better than coming home to a tidy apartment with the sun shining through the blinds :)

Since I'd been away I just got to open my June Glossybox yesterday, so I'll do a quick overview of that soon. I spent the day relaxing, running a few errands, and whipping up lunch. The latest issue of Bazaar, an iPad with a summery screen saver + Plants vs. Zombies, and my sunglasses (as well as my wallet to pay for the aforementioned errands) were really all I needed to get me through the morning.


For lunch I made cheese and jalepeƱo quesadillas with salsa on the side, which were yummy and just greasy enough to satisfy my constant junk food craving. I also made some plum & thyme iced tea from a recipe I found on Pinterest, which is DELICIOUS. The recipe is from Real Simple (here, reproduced below with my comments), and it's amazing for a nice summer afternoon.


You'll need:
2 tea bags (black or herbal, I used Lipton)
2 tablespoons honey
2 plums, sliced
8 sprigs fresh thyme

Directions:
1. In a large saucepan, bring 3 cups water to a boil. Remove from heat, add the tea bags, and let steep for 10 minutes (a quick tip: take a chopstick and wrap the string of the tea bags around it several times, then rest it across the saucepan. It prevents the string slipping into the saucepan so you don't have to go around digging for it later or end up with soggy bits of paper floating around). Discard the bags and allow the tea to cool to room temperature.

2. Stir in the honey, plums, and thyme. Transfer to a pitcher and refrigerate until cool, about 1 1/2 hours. Serve over ice.

They also recommend stirring in 1/2 a cup of bourbon right before serving if you want to turn it into a cocktail. I had it sans alcohol, but I'll probably try it as a cocktail soon! I served it (to myself, haha) in a mason jar with a striped paper straw.

If you're entertaining or want to make it a bit fancier, you can cut bite-size bits of plum, stick those in an ice cube tray, and pour some tea over them to make tea-ice cubes. That way the tea won't get watered down by melting ice, especially if you're drinking it outside in the oppressive heat.* I consider a meal that didn't come out of a freezer box a huge accomplishment so I didn't go that far, but I definitely will next time I have a few friends over!

*Can I just say that it was in the 60s and 70s in London when I was there for layovers. Damn you Brits and your amazing weather.