If you listened to the podcast yesterday, you know I am currently staycationing in lovely Queens, New York, where it is still a little more wintry than I’d like. Don’t worry, so far there have been plenty of treats and instagram-worthy weeknight dinners, so I can’t really complain. Since I was going to be eating more meals at home this week, I made it a goal to do a bit of pantry clean-out cooking. Not a major overhaul–although that definitely needs to happen–more along the lines of excavating that container of hazelnuts from the back of the top shelf and making the hazelnut milk from Whole Grain Mornings that I’ve been meaning to make. I also took care of a languishing bag of raisins with the GORP (good old raisins and peanuts) granola from the Food in Jars cookbook.
I’ve been getting into educating myself more lately about the medicinal qualities of household and wild plants and herbs. I can really see this becoming an obsession, so I’m excited to see where it takes me. I just finished reading Rosemary Gladstar’s Medicinal Herbs: A Beginner’s Guide and recommend it fully to anyone feeling  a little herb-curious. Maybe you’re wondering why everyone is telling you to eat turmeric all the time? Yeah, I was too!
Reading this book while on my pantry clean-out mission led me to combine equal parts lavender, hibiscus, and elderberries with the very utilitarian intention of using up the little baggies of each that found their way to my pantry. Well, it turned out to be so bright, tart, and delicious, I’ve since made a pot of this every day. Because they both have hibiscus as a starring ingredient, this is similar to the Passion tea made by Tazo with the added herbal oomph of lavender and elderberry.
- 1 Tablespoon dried culinary lavender buds
- 1 Tablespoon dried hibiscus flowers
- 1 Tablespoon dried elderberries
- Combine the lavender, hibiscus, and elderberries in a teapot or french press.
- Cover with 4 cups boiling water and let steep for at least 10 minutes.
- Strain and/or press, sweeten to taste if desired, and enjoy.
Notes:
- Fun fact! I just like the word “tisane,” but technically an herbal infusion without any tea is a tisane.
- I have enjoyed this without any added sweetener, but it is pretty tart.
About autumn
Autumn Giles is the creator of Autumn Makes & Does and the co-host of the Alphabet Soup Podcast.
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There must be something in the air! I just made a few of Rosemary’s recipes over the weekend. Still so much to learn, but am fascinated.
Funny, Molly! Which book of hers do you have?
I’m working with “Rosemary Gladstar’s Herbal Recipes for Vibrant Health.” It’s a nice mix of medicinal, overall lifestyle, and DIY bath/body products. She actually has an online course I may venture into at some point.
I am so intrigued by this! I don’t think I’ve ever had tisane before but it sounds delicious.
Thanks, Steph! Once the weather gets warmer it’s really fun to experiment with infusing all the fresh herbs that are in the market.
I like the phrase “herb-curious.” There’s a fantastic bar/tapas place in Hartford called Tisane and they do some lovely infusion and tea cocktails. If you ever head up this way, we’ll go 🙂 I love elderberry–I’ve only had it in medicinal and jelly form, though…this tisane sounds lovely!
Haha! glad you like it 🙂
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