Having a “Boston Tea Party”
Here are Some Fourth of July Recipes
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The Boston Tea Party was about unfair taxation on tea. Tea was a main staple in the colonies until then. Many colonials looked for other alternatives to their beloved tea. The colonials tried to make tea out of blueberry, rhubarb and other herb leaves to replace their favorite drink. Coffee was the replacement. Tea has never regained the popularity of the American palate until recent years.
To honor our forefathers, I am going to provide you with a menu with tea as an ingredient in the recipe. I hope you enjoy!
In keeping with the red, white and blue theme, I have several drink options you may consider offering.
Tea Spiked Watermelon
Cut a hole in the top of the watermelon, wide and deep enough to insert a funnel. Pour in as much tea syrup through the funnel as can be absorbed (1/2 to 1 cup). Remove the funnel and replace the watermelon plug. Let sit for 4 hours.
Again, pour in as much tea syrup as can be absorbed. Repeat the process until all the tea syrup has been absorbed. (The watermelon flesh gradually will absorb all the tea syrup.) Refrigerate until well chilled. When ready to serve you can make watermelon tea slushes by cutting the watermelon in half and scoop out the flesh.
White Mint Tea
Bring 4 cups water to a boil. Pour hot boiling water over white tea and mint. Steep tea and mint sprigs in a pitcher for about 3 to 4 minutes. Remove tea and mint from pitcher. Stir in sugar, lemon and orange juice until well mixed. Add the remaining 4 cups cold water. Serve with ice and garnishes.
Blueberry Tea Granita
Blend all ingredients together in a food processor or blender. Pour onto rimmed baking sheet and spread evenly. Cover with foil and freeze at least 2 hours. Remove from freezer and break up with a fork. Garnish with mint. Serves 4
A Fourth of July Boston Tea Party would not be complete without Iced Tea Lemonade
Orange Spiced or Lemon Tea Glaze
(for chicken or ribs)
Mix in a small sauce pan over low heat. Use as a glaze over grilled chicken or ribs
Homemade Red, White and Blue Tea Ice Cream
In a small saucepan, combine 1/2 cup of the milk (set the rest of the milk aside for later use) and 7 teaspoons of loose leaf tea of your choice into cold milk. Cook over medium heat. Do not boil.
Remove from heat and let steep for 5 minutes. Strain out the tea.
In a small mixing bowl, combine the eggs and add the milk/tea mixture. Add the sugar, remaining milk, and heavy cream.
Using a commercial ice cream maker, follow directions as stated.
If you do not have an ice cream maker, a hand mixer will be sufficient to use.
To make the ice cream, using the electric hand mixer is easy. Freeze a stainless steel bowl. Combine all the ingredients in the cold steel bowl and mix on high for 4 minutes. Place the whipped contents into the freezer and freeze overnight.
For Raspberry tea ice cream, add 1/2 cup raspberry puree to the cream mixture when whipping. Then put in freezer.
For White tea ice cream, add ½ tsp vanilla extract and 1/tsp almond extract.
For Blueberry tea ice cream, add ½ cup blueberry puree to the cream mixture when whipping. Then put into freezer.
Fruit Bowl With Tea Syrup
(Can be found here)
And finally no respectable Boston Tea Party would be without
Fourth of July Tea
Boston is known for its cranberry bogs. I am sure that our forefathers may have tried to make tea from their leaves in the past. This tart cranberry iced tea is refreshing on a hot summer day. A great choice for a Fourth of July tea party !
Bring water to boiling, and add sugar and loose leaf tea.. Stir well until the sugar completely dissolves. Let steep forup to 5 minutes. Strain tea, and add cranberry juice concentrate. Stir until mixed. Allow to cool to room temperate before refrigerating. Serve over ice.
Garnish with cranberries, blueberries and apple that has been dipped in lemon juice to go with your patriotic theme!
If you want to get fancy and patriotic, make a star garnish. Take a red delicious apple, turn sideways, and slice into thin circular disks. Be sure to leave the skin on so you get the red color in your drink!
Cut 5 triangles out of the apple disks to create a star shape.
Your guests will be so impressed!
Serves 14
These recipes should get you on your way to having a unique and special fourth of July party this year. Remember it all started with the Boston Tea Party many many years ago.
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