Tea Time!

I make no secret about the fact that I drink green tea daily. Yes, daily. Always a huge fan of iced tea, I upped the ante to the green persuasion when I started eating sushi (way) back in my (early) 20's. A ceremonious cup of hot green tea came at the start of every meal, and I grew deeply fond of its flavor and health benefits.

When Brooklyn's first outpost of the Canadian tea retailer, DAVIDsTEA, arrived here in Park Slope, stylist Amy was first to embrace the goodness (lucky lady, it's literally right out her front door). The next thing I know, I receive the following:

So last weekend, while prepping breakfast for her family, I was tickled to get this text message: 

Did I love it? Oh, yes. 

So much so that a stop at DAVIDsTEA was first on the to-do list over the weekend!

The team at DAVIDsTEA gives customer service on par to the deliciousness of their beverages - in other words, they are flawless. The lovely Stephanie took me on the grand tour, first off making my iced matcha with soy & agave:

As I sipped away, Stephanie treated us to a lovely tea overview, complete with tastings and the delight of smelling many of the store's offerings. With flavors ranging from Citron Oolong to Birthday Cake, and Rooibos de Provence to Pink Flamingo, there was not one tea I wasn't ready to try! Even the Little Miss - who has never given tea a thought - could not wait to try her iced Forever Nuts:

Because Mr. Newman's iced Coffee Pu'erh was so unbelievably delicious, we came home with the following treats to get our mornings off right:

The Steeper, David's Perfect Spoon & Coffee Pu'erh

PS, don't worry. DAVIDsTEA makes online ordering a breeze if there's not a retailer near you. Since I do not want any one of you lovelies to feel left out, I decided that this is going to be one of yours. That's right - it's giveaway time!

Please note: the giveaway is now closed. Congratulations to "twicefivemiles" - you are the lucky winner! xx JN

Here's the deal:

1. Go over and "like" Delightfully Dishy's Facebook page (if you're already a "Fan" then share the post on your Facebook wall!)
2. Leave a comment below telling me the DAVIDsTEA flavor you're most intrigued to try.

The lucky winner (chosen at random) will be announced this Thursday!

Why, yes, I'll drink to that!

xx JN

DAVIDsTEA Park Slope: 234 7th Ave at 4th St
Follow DAVIDsTEA on Twitter & "like" them on Facebook!

Herbally Speaking: Fresh Basil

{ image via Scum Doctor }

When I hear the word basil I immediately think of fresh pesto or a delicious Caprese salad. But ironically enough, the uses of fresh basil far outweight its common association with Italian cuisine.

In addition to being a sweet, pungent culinary seasoning, basil is also known as a medicinal herb. Basil is a household name, familiar in many a tomato-based dish. However, this herb does complement foods such as meat, poultry, salads, soups and pasta. Not only does basil enhance the flavors of these dishes, but it also is known to aid in digestion.

While doing my research on one of my most favorite herbs, I found it rather interesting that in past centuries basil was frequently used to purify the mind and open the heart, leading herbalists to consider basil a mild antidepressant. Nowadays, basil is recommended as an antispasmodic used to treat motion sickness, vertigo, nausea and other intestinal problems. There is also a connection between the use of basil and subsequent alleviation of headaches and migraines, head colds and other respiratory illnesses. Some use it to ease tension and induce sleep, while others use basil as a kidney and bladder detox.

Homeopathic Uses:

Essential Oil

• Add several drops to your bath to ease tension and raise your spirits
• Dilute oil and use on your skin to treat acne by applying with cotton balls
• Create a tent over a pot of boiling water with several drops of basil oil and inhale for relief of a headache, chest and/or head cold

Basil Infusion Tea
Pour about 1/4 cup of boiling water over 2 tsp. of fresh basil leaves. Steep for 10 minutes and drink the infusion twice daily; after 8 days take a break for 2 weeks, and then repeat the treatment. This tea will aid in digestion as well as treat bladder and kidney inflammation.

My Favorite Recipes:

Over the course of August, I'm trying out your recipes that include this incredible herb! I'll be reporting back on my favorites and sharing them with all of you. In the meanwhile, here are a few of mine:

Homemade Pesto
1/2 cup pine nuts (pignolis)
3 tablespoons diced garlic (typically about 9 cloves)
5 cups fresh basil leaves (stems removed), packed
1 teaspoon kosher salt
1 teaspoon ground pepper
1 1/2 cups olive oil
1 cup freshly grated Parmesan

Place the pine nuts and garlic in the bowl of a food processor fitted with a steel blade. Process for 30 seconds. Add the basil leaves, salt, and pepper. With the processor running, slowly pour the olive oil into the bowl through the feed tube and process until the pesto is finely pureed. Add the Parmesan and puree for a minute. Serve, or store the pesto in the refrigerator or freezer with a thin film of olive oil on top.

Tomato Basil Sauce

2 tablespoons olive oil

1 cup chopped yellow onion (1 medium size onion)

2 cloves garlic, minced

1 (28-oz) can crushed tomatoes in tomato puree

1 (6-oz) can tomato paste

Large handful chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley (approximately 2 tablespoons)

1/2 cup chopped fresh basil leaves

1-1/2 teaspoons Kosher salt

1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper

Heat the olive oil in a large skillet (I use my smaller Le Creuset oval oven). Add the onion and cook for 5 minutes over medium-low heat, until translucent. Add the garlic and cook for 1 more minute. (Do not let the garlic burn!) Add the tomatoes, tomato paste, 2 tablespoons of the parsley, the basil, 1 1/2 teaspoons salt, and 1/2 teaspoon pepper. Simmer, uncovered, over medium-low heat, for 15 to 20 minutes, until thickened.

Heirloom Tomato Sandwich with Basil Mayonnaise