Yankee Transplants Not So Sweet Tea Recipes

SMOOTH SWEET TEA

Steps:

• Sprinkle a pinch of baking soda into a 64-ounce, heat-proof, glass pitcher. Pour in boiling water, and add tea bags. Cover, and allow to steep for 15 minutes.
• Remove tea bags, and discard; stir in sugar until dissolved. Pour in cool water, then refrigerate until cold.

YANKEE TRANSPLANT'S CORNMEAL-BREADED CATFISH

Steps:

• Soak fish in milk for 15 minutes.
• Heat about 1/2" oil (about a 50/50 mix), in deep skillet (I use my cast iron chicken fryer), until a drop of water sizzles violently but below smoking point.
• Combine cornmeal, flour, salt, garlic powder, and Old Bay in a plastic bag.
• Shake a few pieces of catfish at a time in the breading then fry in the oil until browned and crisp, turning once. Drain on paper towels then keep hot on warmed plate.
• Repeat, frying small batches, until finished.
• Serve, passing lemon wedges and hot sauce at the table.
• Note -- I recommend cole slaw (try Recipe #209944 or Recipe #239426 ), or a green salad and French or Italian bread to complete the meal.
• Note -- For something a little different, try making sandwiches on hard rolls with lettuce, tomato, and tartar sauce as well as the lemon and hot sauce.
• Note -- Its a bit overwhelming for tilapia, perch, and other mild fish but do try it on other strongly-flavored fish.

SWEET TEA

Steps:

• In a tea kettle or medium saucepan, heat 4 cups water until boiling. Remove from the heat and add the tea bags. Allow the tea to steep for 5 minutes. Gently squeeze the bags to release their concentrated tea, then discard the bags. Transfer the tea to a pitcher.
• Stir 1/2 cup sugar into the hot tea until it has dissolved. Stir in the lemon juice. Add 4 cups water, then fill the pitcher with 2 cups ice.
• Taste the tea to determine if you'd like to add up to 4 tablespoons more sugar. If adding sugar, stir until it dissolves.
• Cover and refrigerate until the sweet tea is chilled throughout or up to 2 days. Serve in a large glass filled with ice, and garnish with a lemon slice if you'd like.

YANKEE TRANSPLANT'S NOT SO SWEET TEA

Steps:

• Put the water into a very large pot. Tie the teabag strings together and secure them with the bags in the water and the tags outside the pot.
• Bring the water to a full, rolling boil then immediately turn it off. No, this is not a mistake. If the tea doesn't get to a full boil this way its too weak and doesn't have that distinctive flavor.
• Let steep until fully cooled. I find it best to just leave this big batch sit on the stove overnight.
• Remove the teabags.
• Add 25-30 packets Splenda and stir it in well. Adjust amount of sweetener to your family's tastes.
• Transfer the tea to pitchers or jugs.
• Serve over plenty of ice.