Febuary Tea Corner

 February is the Month of love!

Colder weather outside encourages people to cuddle up
and enjoy a warm drinks on the inside.

You may like something spicy when it comes in to tea.
You can make a cup of spicy Chai to warm you up.

 To make that perfect cup of Spice tea!
 Items you’ll need on hand include:
* 24 ounces water
* Tea (loose Darjeeling is a favorite, but you may use any type of tea bag)
* Tea pot and a tea strainer
* Milk
* Sugar or honey
* Spices such as cinnamon, ginger, vanilla, cloves, anise or nutmeg. cardamom, ginger, cinnamon, vanilla bean, cloves, black peppercorns, anise, all spice, bay leaves, almond or nutmeg
Bring 24 ounces of water to a boil in a pot. Turn down the heat and place the tea into the water to steep for five minutes. Add the solid spices, but be sure to test the tea to ensure the tea isn’t too strong. Stir the tea and put a lid on the pot.
 Leave the tea on low heat for about 15 minutes.
Strain the tea and then add sugar or honey, and milk to taste.

Here's a recipe from Queen Victoria's kitchen at Balmoral:

Queen Victoria Balmoral Shortbread

Ingredients:
1 cup softened butter
1/2 cup sugar
2 & 1/2 cups flour
Place the softened butter and sugar in a bowl and cream together with a mixer. Sieve in the flour and using the fingertips gently work the flour into the butter mixture, adding flour a little at a time to make a soft dough.
Take small pieces of the dough and roll out thinly. Take a glass, or cookie cutter about 3-3 & 1/2" in diameter, and cut out the dough until all is used. Prick the surface of each shortbread cookie with a fork so they bake evenly.
Put the cookies on a greased baking tray and bake at 350 degrees for 12-15 minutes. Do not let edges get brown. Oven times may vary, so it's best to do a test cookie first.