RECIPE: MINT SWEET TEA

I am not sure I can say anything about sweet tea that has not already been said... but on the chance you have no idea what it is... it is our life's blood in the South.

Well, just about. If you go to a restaurant here and order "tea" the waitress will respond: "sweet or unsweet" .... that meaning sweet tea or unsweetened tea. The "iced" part goes without saying. Everyone in the South has their favorite sweet tea. It might be your mama's, your aunt's, your Nana's, or a restaurant down the street. No matter who makes your favorite sweet tea, you will never forget it and on a hot summer day, you will just about do anything for it. I grew up making the tea at our house. Mom would tell me to put the water and sugar on to boil and then add the tea bags.

These days, I make my sweet tea a little differently, opting to make a simple syrup so guests can add a little or a lot to their own taste. In the Spring and Summer, when I have wild mint growing on the side of the yard, I always add mint to the simple syrup to make mint tea. Anyone who has tried it says it is their favorite and it is just so refreshing. Here's how I do it....

Summer in the South: Mint Sweet Tea with wild mint from the yard is a treat on a hot day!

Summer in the South: Mint Sweet Tea with wild mint from the yard is a treat on a hot day!

MINT SWEET TEA

For a quart of tea you need a 1-quart tea bag and 4 cups cold water. Put the water in a pot or large saucepan. Bring to a boil. Remove from heat. Drop in the tea bag. Let steep for 7 minutes. Discard the tea bag and let the tea cool completely.

For a "Double Mint" version- my niece Sarah likes this one- we add a few sprigs of mint to the hot tea so we flavor the tea and have mint in the syrup, too.

MINT SIMPLE SYRUP
(simple syrup is equal parts sugar and water)
1 cup sugar
1 cup cold water
25-30 mint leaves

DIRECTIONS:
Put the sugar and water in a saucepan over high heat. Stir it once and bring to a boil. Remove from heat. Stir again, making sure the sugar is totally dissolved. Add the mint leaves. Allow to cool completely. Strain the simple syrup into a mason jar. Discard the leaves.

To make the tea, pour 1 quart of tea into a pitcher with 1/2 cup mint simple syrup. Stir. Serve over ice with a sprig of fresh mint.
FYI: I don't dilute the tea with water because it will be too weak when you serve it over ice.

The ratio is 8 parts tea :1 part simple syrup or to your own taste.
For 1 gallon of tea, add 2 cups simple syrup.

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RECIPE: ZIPPY TWO CHEDDAR PIMENTO CHEESE

My mom would make Pimento Cheese for sandwiches, to stuff in celery for special occasions or to snack on with saltines… it was her go to for easy entertaining and it is still one of my favorites to this day. I've added a little extra zip with some Sriracha but if you don't have any, don't buy it just for this recipe. 

Zippy Pimento Cheese Martie Duncan

ZIPPY TWO CHEDDAR PIMENTO CHEESE

Difficulty: Easy   Prep Time: 15 minutes plus 1 hour

Cook Time: No cook recipe

INGREDIENTS

1 pound extra sharp cheddar cheese

½ pound sharp white cheddar cheese

½ cup mayonnaise plus more as desired

½ teaspoon Dijon mustard

1 teaspoon white pepper

¼ teaspoon kosher salt

1- 4 ounce jar pimento or roasted red peppers, drained and diced small

3-4 drops Tabasco

1/8 teaspoon Cayenne pepper

½ teaspoon Sriracha

Chill the cheese in the freezer for 15 minutes to make it easy to grate. You can do this all in the food processor but I prefer the texture when I grate the cheese with a box grater and mix it all by hand because that is the way my mom did it. Grate the cheeses and place in a large mixing bowl. Drain and dice the pimento. Add the rest of the ingredients and mix thoroughly. If you prefer a smooth mixture, you can add more mayonnaise. Cover and refrigerate. Remove from the refrigerator for a bit prior to serving to allow it to soften so it is easy to spread.

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PARTY THEME: HOST A BIG AND EASY MARDI GRAS PARTY!

Break out the beads, it’s Mardi Gras! You may not have the parades, floats, Krewes, and crowds of Mobile or New Orleans, but you can still have the best of Mardi Gras right in your home---the music, the mood, the food, and all the fun! Hosting a Mardi Gras party is painless because all the components are easy to find or make. We planned our party in just two days. You can, too, even if you’ve never been to “Nawleans.”

If you are planning a trip to the Big Easy, read my post about where to go, where to eat, and where to stay in New Orleans. Read more...

how to host a Mardi Gras party at home

THE FOOD

Gumbo and boiled shrimp can easily be made in large quantities so this is one of the best party themes for a big crowd. Your regular grocery like Publix, Whole Foods, even Winn-Dixie will have most of what you need. Stop by the seafood counter for shrimp. They can steam it for you or you can do it at home using my shrimp boil recipe. You'll also find cocktail sauce there but I always make my own. If you stop as you first enter the store and ask them to steam the shrimp for you, you can pick it up just before you check out. Always ask for fresh Gulf shrimp; it makes a big difference!

A Mardi Gras menu of gumbo, boiled shrimp, Muffuletta sandwiches, Sazerac cocktails, and King Cake.

A Mardi Gras menu of gumbo, boiled shrimp, Muffuletta sandwiches, Sazerac cocktails, and King Cake.

TIP: I always take an ice cooler with me to the store so I can keep the shrimp cold on the way home. Or if it has been steamed, the cooler will help keep it hot, too. Pack with newspaper or brown paper to keep heat in.

If you don't want to cook, you can find surprisingly good frozen gumbo chock full of sausage and shrimp along with some really spicy crawfish (just for fun) in the frozen seafood section of the store. My own Gumbo recipe is easy to make and everyone loves it. I always make a big (giant) batch a day before and freeze some for later. On party day, make sure to heat the gumbo to at least 140 F -It takes longer than you  might think to heat a big pot of gumbo thoroughly so make sure to start early. See my video tips on Food Safety.

Serve the gumbo with rice. I always follow the standard recipe: 1 cup of rice to 2 cups water. And salt the water first and add a little butter. You can always use boil-in-bag rice if you have to; find it in the rice aisle. Who knew? I have a large rice cooker I use specifically for this.

You might have to educate the deli counter on the art of the Muffuletta sandwich: a round loaf of Italian bread sliced in half, scooped out, then slathered with a thick layer of olive salad and stuffed until overflowing with several different meats and cheeses. My favorite Muffuletta can be found in New Orleans at Central Grocery. The bread is what makes the real difference but you won't find that anywhere outside of New Orleans. Any round loaf can substitute in a pinch.

I always scout the store in advance to make sure I can find everything I need well before party week. That way I'm not frantically trying to source something at the last minute.
You can make your own Gumbo in advance and freeze it in zip top bags. That's what I do. Early in Mardi Gras season, I make a huge batch then chill and freeze. I take out only as much as I need to serve, that way I have gumbo when I want it!

You can make your own Gumbo in advance and freeze it in zip top bags. That's what I do. Early in Mardi Gras season, I make a huge batch then chill and freeze. I take out only as much as I need to serve, that way I have gumbo when I want it!

THE DECORATIONS

The decorations were even easier than the food. Balloons, string lights, feathered masks, and beads are inexpensive and readily available in the traditional Mardi Gras colors of purple, green, and gold. If you want to spend a little more, you might get a Bourbon Street sign and street lights at a rental store to complete the feel of the French Quarter. If you have time to order online, Oriental Trading Company has a great selection of Mardi Gras essentials.

I get or order my Mardi Gras beads from Toomey's in Mobile, Alabama. They have a great selection of hand-strung beads, cheap beads, collector's beads, and theme beads to select from.

ENTERTAINMENT

Jazz, blues, and the unique sounds of Zydeco are a big part of any Mardi Gras celebration. Make a playlist of traditional favorites and don’t forget native sons Harry Connick, Jr., Aaron Neville, Louis Armstrong, Fats Domino, Jerry Lee Lewis, and Wynton Marsalis.

You’re all set to join the world’s largest party from the comfort of your own home. No middle seat or layover in Atlanta required!

IMAGES PROVIDED BY ARDEN WARD UPTON/ ARDEN PHOTOGRAPHY