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Tea Infused Easter Eggs

An interesting twist to Easter Eggs

Tea Infused Easter eggs are set to make an appearance this Easter, and if you are wondering what they are, the answer is simple: They are hard boiled eggs cooked in tea leaves. They come out tasting like they have been injected with wonderfully flavorful herbs and spices, and the cracked egg even leaves a beautiful marble effect coating on the egg itself.

If you are not really a big fan of chocolate but don’t want to feel left out of the egg-eating festivities this Easter then, the tea infused Easter eggs are a great alternative for you. They have a salty yet flavourful taste and look great as a well as taste fantastic.

More of a traditional Asian Easter snack, tea infused Easter eggs (also known as Marbled Eggs) come in a variety of colours and flavours, and each person will have their own recipe which they find the most appealing. If you have never tried these before, then you either buying some pre-prepared tea eggs or making some yourself is a great way of experimenting with new tastes in eggs, an often overlooked ingredient.

The types of tea used in these types of Easter eggs can vary – some people use tea leaves, and some use tea bags of different varieties, but black tea bags and leaves are the best to use as the flavour is not too astringent. Different types of tea is not the only thing that can add colour and flavour to the eggs, as dashes of salt, star anise, cinnamon, five spice, or liquorice are often found in tea Easter eggs recipes.

How to make tea infused Easter eggs

The important thing to remember about tea eggs, are they take a long time to prepare and taste best when simmered over several hours. For the perfect set of tea eggs, you first need to place a dozen eggs in a pot, add water, bring to the boil and cook for 10 minutes.

Allow the eggs to cool, and once they are cool enough to handle, gently crack the shells by rolling them lightly across a paper towel softly tapping them with the back of a spoon. The more cracks in the shells, the better the marbled effect; however take care not to crack them so much that the shell comes away from the egg.

Place the eggs in a large pot, then cover the eggs with water and add 2 tea bags, a dash of salt and a teaspoon of five spice or 1 star anise. Cook on a mid-heat for 30 minutes, and then allow to simmer for up to 2 hours. Constantly turn the eggs so that each part is in contact with the tea water. After 2 hours, take the pot off the heat and let the eggs cool in the liquid. Once cool, drain away the water and keep the eggs in their shells – serve with salad!

Find more recipes for Easter eggs on Recipebridge.

April 3, 2012
Divine Easter Desserts

Make these Easter Desserts your show stopper

Easter has become such a huge food-based holiday that it can often be difficult to think up new and exciting ways to eat and present your Easter meals so that it doesn’t feel like just another Sunday of the year. Easter lunch is usually a big meal with a meaty main course such as lamb with al the trimmings. However, if you have a sweet tooth and want something to tickle your sweet taste buds after the Easter brunch or lunch, then try something creative with these great Easter desserts.

Citrus Easter Desserts

Easter is so full of chocolate eggs, that creating a dessert with citrus flavours is a great way of tantalising your taste buds without overloading on chocolate. Tangy citrus flavours are ideal for opening up your taste buds and appreciating the sweetness of the dessert.

Find citrus dessert recipes on Recipebridge.

Bundt and Sheet Cakes

Bundy cakes are shaped like rings and can make great centre pieces for your dessert spread. The shape of the cake itself is actually ideal for Easter, mainly because it is the cimilar shape to a bird’s nest and filling the centre with lots of mini chocolate eggs is a visual and tasty treat for all. Sheet cakes are easy to decorate with intricate Easter decorations, and if you don’t mind, you can even let your kids get creative with the icing!

Recipebridge has a delectable selection of bundt cake recipes.

Sorbets and Gelatos

Sorbets are a fantastically refreshing dessert, and usually come in gorgeous fruity flavours. They make a great light dessert for those who want something sweet after their main course without feeling too full, and if your Easter Sunday is a warm one, then this cooling dessert should also chill you out too.

Find recipes of sorbets and gelato on Recipebridge.

Pies and Soufflés

Desserts come in all different forms, and pies with different fillings can be a great way to finish your meal. For a different texture and flavour, soufflés make the perfect light dessert and rich chocolate variations on the soufflé are great for continuing the Easter theme.

Find more recipes for Easter desserts on Recipebridge.

April 2, 2012
8 Mouth Watering Burgers
Burgers – the carb-heavy comfort food

Where the burger came from is a little unknown; the St. Louis World Fair in 1904 is supposedly the first recorded reference of a patty served on a bread roll, although some sources also claim that the hamburger made an appearance well before this around about 1885. Whether these claims are true or not doesn’t matter to those of us that just love burgers and so many recipes for it.

The burger has become so popular over the years that many burger chain stores were opened all over the world including Wimpy, Burger King and McDonalds, all of which have gone from strength to strength in terms of popularity. For those of us that don’t enjoy fast food burgers however, there are plenty of other recipes for us to choose from. Burgers come in many different varieties including types such as beef burger, lamb burger, bison burger, kangaroo burger, chilli burger, venison burger, cheese burger, turkey burger and chicken burger.

Here are interesting 8 burgers you can try:
What are your favorite burgers?
March 31, 2012
8 Delicious Ways to Enjoy Broccoli
Broccoli – a super charged vitamin-packed veggie!

A relative of the cauliflower and a vegetable which is in the cabbage family, broccoli dates all the way back to Ancient Roman times. A green vegetable that has an edible flower head and stem, it is both delicious and nutritious.

Packed full of antioxidants, broccoli is one of the best veggies out there to eat when you are going on a detox. Broccoli is also very high in vitamin D which is good for regulating your calcium intake to ensure healthy teeth and bones. As well as this, broccoli is great for improving your digestive health and lowering cholesterol too! The healthiest way of cooking broccoli is by steaming the florets, as this locks in the nutrients, whereas boiling can soften them so that they are ready to eat but can often take away some of the nutritional value.

Broccoli can be found in a variety of dishes, from soups, to casseroles, to pasta bakes to salads and is a fantastically adaptable ingredient which can add a different texture and flavour to a multitude of meals without overpowering them.

Here’s our pick of broccoli recipes for you to enjoy:
Share your favorite broccoli recipes with us!

As always, we love to hear from you. Find more broccoli recipes on Recipebridge and post your favorite ones on our Facebook page or Tweet us!
March 28, 2012
What do Food Labels Really Mean?
Deciphering the food labels?

We have all at some point stood in an aisle in the supermarket staring at a packet with a confused expression on our face. This is because food labels for some reason are confusing to decipher! Or at least, they can be if you don’t know what they mean. With so much nutritional information being offered to us nowadays, it is important that we know what is in a product before we buy it, after all, we all should care about the types of food we are putting in our bodies!

Use By and Best Before – “Use By” labels are usually found on dairy, fish and meat and some other perishable items. Food should not be eaten after this date for health reasons. “Best Before” labels means that the food can keep its nutritional value and quality up till this date if stored correctly.

Ingredients – The ingredients on food labels is listed in descending weight order. Ingredients which make up more than 5% of a product have to be listed.

Nutrition Information – This panel lets you know the amount of nutrients per 100g or 100ml. Nutrients listed will include:
- Energy
- Fat
- Protein
- Saturated Fat
- Carbohydrates
- Sugar
- Sodium
30g sugar per 100g is a large amount, as is 20g fat per 100g.

Claims

Brands must adhere to claim guidelines so that you are being presented with reliable nutritional information.

Fat Free – Must contain less that 0.15% fat

Low Fat – Must contain less than 3% fat (or less than 1.5% in liquids)

No Added Sugar – Must contain only natural sugars

Reduced Salt – Must contain a salt reduction of 25%.

The words “organic” and “natural” are often thrown around, but what they really mean is that they are grown using less chemicals than other products. Non GM (Genetically Modified) products are the only ones that are guaranteed to be produced using no harmful chemicals. “Natural” foods on the other hand show that a product doesn’t contain any artificial ingredients such as additives, preservatives or unnatural colouring.

Saturated fats are found in many food products and it is the type of fat which contains fatty acids. Saturated fats can be found in fatty meats and dairy products. Unsaturated fat on the other hand contains less energy and therefore fewer calories, making it a healthier option than saturated fats.

When you see “cholesterol” mentioned on food labels, be aware that plant product contain virtually no cholesterol so seeing these labels on margarine or oil products is usually just a ploy to make you think you are eating something less fatty! Limiting cholesterol is key to a low fat diet, where you should be consuming no more than 300 mg a day.

Colour coding is often used in food labels

Some manufacturers have begun to colour code their foods using a “traffic light” colour coding system. A product such as the example above lets you know that the sugar content is fairly low (using a green-yellow colour), and that the saturated fat content is very high (using a red colour). Red foods should only be eaten in moderation and as part of a balanced diet.

We’d love to hear your view on the issue of food labels. Feel free to post your views on food labels here, on our Facebook page or tweet us on our Twitter page.
March 27, 2012
Frittatas You’ll Love
The any time frittatas

Similar to the egg-based omelette, frittatas are great traditional Italian dish eaten as a hearty breakfast, lunch or dinnertime meal. The recipes are easier to make than an omelette, and makes the ideal meal if you are in a hurry!

Often served with cheese and vegetables, frittatas are also cooked with meat too. The egg mixture usually is solidified in a pan to begin with and then transferred to the oven to cook through. Unlike it’s brother dish the omelette, frittatas are also often served cold instead of hot, making it a great buffet dish.

Tips To Make the Perfect Frittatas
- Always whisk your eggs and add seasoning to your frittata mix before adding to the pan.
- Use a fork to evenly distribute the egg across the pan or skillet.
- Wait for the top to firm before you flip it.
- Serve in wedges like a pizza!
Things to Avoid When Making Frittatas:
- Don’t stir whilst it cooks.
- Don’t flip too early or it will be runny.
- If using cheese, grate it as thick sliced cheese will not melt easily.
- Don’t take your eye of your frittatas – once played on the broiler, it needs only a couple of minutes, so don’t let it burn!
Here are some of our favorite frittatas that you’ll love:
What are some of your favorite frittatas?
March 23, 2012
Coffee and Croissant Break

The much needed coffee and croissant break at 11:00 am

It’s 11am and it’s been 4 hours since you ate breakfast. You’re sitting at your desk and you know that lunch is 2 hours away, so what do you do? Go for a quick coffee and croissant of course! Over the years, the coffee and croissant break has become one of the best mid morning pick-me-ups across the world, and is especially popular in Great Britain.

Not only considered a great little break to stop those hunger pangs and get a quick caffeine boost, the coffee and croissant interval can also be a great way of business networking without taking up too much of your busy day. It’s a quick way to run through vital company decisions without spending too much time going over fine details (that’s what AGMs are for!).

Coffee and croissant are sure to rejuvenate you in the afternoons

So if you want to have the most productive day possible, a quick coffee and small snack is sure to rejuvenate you. Coffee is great for giving you that little extra boost so that you can get on with work, but it is also contains antioxidants and minerals which are good for regulating blood sugar levels. Coffee is also low in calories too so you don’t need to feel guilty about having one. Try not to overdo the caffeine though, as with most things, excessive amounts can have harmful effects.

You can experiment with some interesting coffee drinks, find such coffee recipes on Recipebridge.

Croissants are a traditional French pastry which is extremely light and flaky and made with butter, flour and a raising agent. Some come in crescent shapes, and some in baton shapes. Although delicious plain, you can also enjoy these delightful pastries with chocolate or almonds.

Find some scrumptious croissants recipes on Recipebridge. How do you enjoy your coffee and croissant break?

March 22, 2012
8 Fresh Ways to use Asparagus
Market fresh asparagus

The first recorded use of asparagus was in the hieroglyphs of ancient Egypt and was also a popular vegetable in ancient Rome and Greece. For thousands of years the young roots of this delightful vegetable have been used in many recipes and its great nutritional value makes it a good addition to many meals.

Did you Know?
- Asparagus is part of the lily family
- An asparagus spear can grow a whopping 10 inches in just 24 hours
- Asparagus contains no fat, cholesterol and is low in sodium
- One serving of asparagus holds just 16 calories.
- Some people consider asparagus as an aphrodisiac…!
Cook the perfect asparagus spears

Grown all over the world, asparagus is cooked in many countries and prepared in many ways. However, one of the best ways of preparing and cooking this green spear shaped vegetable is to wash them then cut off the bottom end of the stalk. Peel the stems, then place them in a microwavable dish. Add one tablespoon of water and cover the dish in cling film (leave one corner open to allow steam to escape). Cook for between 2 minutes 30 seconds and 3 minutes.

Here’s our pick of 8 crowd pleasing asparagus recipes:
Find more recipes on Recipebridge. What’s your favorite way to cook asparagus?
March 21, 2012
Quintessential Irish on St. Patrick’s Day
St. Patrick’s Day celebrations

St. Patrick’s Day is celebrated for St Patrick who is the patron saint of Ireland and when he brought the Christian faith to the Irish people and the pagans, he used the shamrock to explain the Holy Trinity (the Father, Son and Holy Spirit). The saint was credited with ending paganism, and St Patrick’s Day itself is now used as a day to celebrate all things Irish.

March 17th was chosen as the day to celebrate the Irish heritage as it is said to be the day that St Patrick died, and as he was such an influential figure in the country’s history, the day is dedicated to his memory and is there to celebrate the Irish luck, shamrocks, green and gold.

Traditional Irish dishes to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day

St Patrick’s food is a huge part of the celebrations on the day, and traditional Irish dishes such as meat or vegetable based meals including potato soup, Irish stew, or Barmbrack (a traditional Irish bread). These traditional dishes aren’t just cooked in Ireland however, St Patrick’s Day is celebrated all over the world, and therefore St Patrick’s food is cooked in many countries across the globe. No matter how far away you are from Ireland, Irish food can be eaten all over the world, and adding green food colouring to desserts can continue the green theme throughout the day!

Here are some classic Irish eats:
Find these and more recipes for St. Patrick’s Day on Recipebridge.
March 17, 2012
Rainbow of Grilled Veggies

Spring offers an array of reasons to enjoy grilled veggies

After months of eating thick, heavy winter vegetables such as beets, squash, and parsnips, the spring months are your first chance to try out something different and light.

The spring is the season where avocados, lettuce, artichokes, rhubarb, spring onions, peas, and leeks begin to sprout and it is up to us to make the most of these delicious veggies whilst they are at the peak of their season.

Health Benefits of grilled veggies

Avocados – Great for getting a healthy heart, the avocado also contains vitamins E and K, plenty of fibre, and other nutrients which act as anti inflammatories. Also known to improve cardiovascular health and prevent heart disease.
Lettuce – Romaine/Cos lettuce is particular is one of the healthiest varieties out there and one of the most popular spring vegetables. It helps lower cholesterol, contains vitamin C, is high in potassium, beta carotene, fibre and can lower blood pressure too.
Artichokes – Great for your liver, and packed full of minerals such as iron, calcium, potassium and fibre. Also great for improving your digestive health and lowering your blood sugar levels.
Rhubarb – Contains antioxidants which help prevent cancer and heart disease. These also keep your heart, immune system and eyes healthy. It is a good source of vitamin K which helps keep your blood healthy, and also contains lutein which is good for your skin.
Spring Onions – Great for supporting bone and connective tissues, onions are also good at promoting cardiovascular health, preventing cancer, acting as an anti inflammatory, and regulating blood sugar levels.
Peas – These contain lots of healthy starch and sugar, and are great antioxidants. Another great veggie for regulating blood sugar, peas are also full of vitamins which support your heart, and can protect against stomach cancers.
Leeks – Containing vitamin B and many other nutrients, leeks are great antioxidants which can help prevent obesity, diabetes, and different types of cancer. They are great for cardiovascular support and also good anti inflammatory.

Grilled Veggies have their nutrients locked in

Boiling spring vegetables can often lead to a loss in nutritional value. This is why it is so great to grill your spring vegetables. To lock in nutrients and cook your veggies in the healthiest way possible, lightly cover them in a tasty marinade or simply place them on a grill covered in tin foil. Turn the vegetables as they grill so each side can benefit from the heat and add a very small amount of oil if they do begin to stick. A mixture of olive oil, lemon juice and crush garlic makes a tasty marinade and only needs to be applied lightly to the spring vegetables.

Colourful grilled spring vegetables can make a great addition to a main course and are a great way of benefiting from the healthy features of a variety of veggies. Mix colours, textures and varieties of spring vegetables and you will never be bored! Find more recipes with grilled veggies on Recipebridge.

March 15, 2012