Tea and events at my old place

My old blog http://verdurastea.blogspot.com/

Banana Dried Cherry & Chocolate Chip Bread

Here is my Banana, Dried Cherry & Chocolate Chip bread. I first came up with this recipe about 15-20 years ago. Hope you enjoy it! The picture of a muffin version I made about a month ago, because I could not find my bread tin.

• 1 2/3 cups all-purpose flour, plus additional flour for dusting pan

• 1 teaspoon baking powder

• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda

• 1/2 teaspoon salt

• 1 cup mashed ripe banana (about 2 large or 3 medium bananas)

• 3 tablespoons sour cream

• 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

• Dash of cinnamon

• 8 tablespoons (1 stick) unsalted butter, at room temperature, plus additional butter for greasing pan

• 1 cup sugar

• 1 large egg, at room temperature

• 1 cup of dried cherries

• 1 cup of chocolate chips

1. Position a rack in the lower third of the oven and preheat to 350°F.

2. Butter the bottom and sides of 1 (9- by 5- by 3-inch) loaf pan and dust with flour.

3. In a large bowl, sift together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.

4. In a medium bowl, combine the banana, sour cream, and vanilla and stir to combine.

5. Cream the butter and sugar.

6. Add the egg and mix well.

7. Add the banana mixture and combine.

8. Add the flour mixture in 2 batches, and stir until just incorporated.

9. Add the dried cherries and chocolate chips and use a rubber spatula to fold them into the batter.

10. Spoon the batter into the prepared pan and smooth the top.

11. Bake until a wooden toothpick inserted in the center of the loaf emerges clean and when you press gently in the center of the loaf, it springs back without leaving an impression, 45 to 50 minutes.

12. Transfer to a wire rack to let cool for 10 to 15 minutes then gently tap the pan on the counter

top to help release the loaf. 

My old blog http://verdurastea.blogspot.com/

Green Tea Health Benefits: tea not extract

http://worldteanews.com/news/green-tea-supplements-under-scrutiny-in-europe

Like most things getting the nutritional value it is best to get from the natural source.  Vitamin A and C work best and absorb better when you get it from sweet potatoes and oranges or other similar sources.  Same with the catechins in green tea, though it seems the supplements are actually too powerful unlike vitamin supplements.  Vitamin supplements tend to not be as good as the fruit or vegetables.  No where in the article is it saying that the catechins and EGCG's are not good, but that green tea extracts tend to be too powerful.  This is great news for anyone in the tea brewing business.  A toast to drinking green tea and other teas too.  It is good for you and tasty too.


My old blog http://verdurastea.blogspot.com/

Speaking in front of large groups

https://www.periscope.tv/1MillionCupsATW/1lDxLNzANYbGm?t=13

Haven't spoken in front of large groups in awhile and boy can you tell I am rusty.  Ummms and ahhhs.  Not using exact terminology that I know, but haven't used it in awhile.  I really need to be more comfortable before I teach a class this spring at St Norbert's College.  Did not realize how rusty I was.  I also rushed through my presentation, need to pace it better and relax,  So this is my first post for this blog.  Still love tea.  My other blog was Steeping, reaping and cooking my way through life is no more.  Wish I could just add this to that one, but cannot get my old logo off my older blog.  Oh well, hopefully someone can help me with this.  Prefer not to start completely from scratch.