Honey Peach Bubble Tea

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Honey Peach Bubble Tea

Honey Peach Bubble Tea

I was first introduced to bubble tea two years ago. A friend had taken me to a tea house specifically to try it after finding out I was a bubble tea virgin. You've never tried bubble tea before? What's wrong with you? I was initially very wary of it, wondering why anyone would ever want to drink tapioca pearls through a straw. Weren't tapioca pearls supposed to be reserved for puddings? Nevertheless, I gathered up my courage and ordered myself a drink.

One sip changed my mind. I suddenly wanted to put tapioca pearls in every drink imaginable. The pearls gave the bubble tea a texture that was unique and addicting.

Since then, whenever I pass a shop that sells them, I can't resist buying myself a treat. Some people are addicted to coffee shops; I'm addicted to bubble tea houses. Luckily for my bank account (and unfortunately for everyone else), bubble tea houses are nearly impossible to find in the Midwest. However, as I've shown you before, they are very easy (and cheap!) to make at home.

Honey Peach Bubble Tea

Regrettably, large tapioca pearls are one of those ingredients that are hard to find in supermarkets. You may spot them in the international aisle (very rarely the baking aisle), but, more often then not, they will elude you and your searching eyes. Luckily, bubble tea tapioca can be found in abundance at your local Asian market. If you can't find it there, or if you don't have a local Asian market, bubble tea tapioca can be found easily with a quick search on the internet.

I've also seen the large tapioca pearls substituted for small jelly candies. Bubble teas are traditionally a low calorie drink but, if you don't mind upping the sugar content just a bit, you could easily chop up some fruit snacks or gummy bears and use those in place of the tapioca pearls. It is definitely a way to play around with multiple flavors in one drink.

Though, if you're like me, you might just agree that the original is the best way to enjoy it.

Honey Peach Bubble Tea

This Honey Peach Bubble Tea is very light, refreshing, and fruity. Honey and peach are two of those flavors that were meant to be together—they complement each other well. The black tea is actually quite hidden in this drink, making it taste more like rich smoothie than a tea (all while keeping the calories down!). The tapioca pearls are perfect in a drink like this, giving it an interesting texture and a twist on the traditional beverage.

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Strawberry Rhubarb Lemonade

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Strawberry Rhubarb Lemonade

There comes a day in every baker's life where absolutely nothing will go right. And I mean nothing. Perhaps it is the great Butter and Sugar god's way of telling you that you've had enough good fortune and it is time to share it with someone else. More likely, though, they look down at you from the marshmallow clouds and loathe you for your ability to make sweet treats so much that they curse you with bitter misfortune

This happened to me last Wednesday. It was a day so bad I can scarcely speak of it now, 4 days later. My mother told me this is one of those days I'm going to laugh about someday.

She's wrong.

Strawberry Rhubarb Lemonade

Last Wednesday also happened to be my first blogiversay. I was supposed to be celebrating my love for pastry and heavy cream, but instead I spent most of it in meltdown mode, in tears over spilled cake. A little ironic, yes, but, as any food blogger would tell you, sometimes that's just how it goes.

I had originally set out to create a very elaborate meringue cake for you to celebrate one year of blogging. I prepped everything the night before and set out to assemble it in the morning. It was gorgeous. Stunning. Delicious. As I was wiping the last bit of stray chocolate from the cake stand to take photographs, it happened. The entire cake stand toppled over. I don't know how. I don't know why. I managed to catch the stand before it hit the table, but it was too late. The meringue collapsed, the layers slid, and 1/3 of the cake was sitting on the table.

A few choice words were said.

I was upset. It was my blogiversary. I needed to share something with you! It wouldn't be a blogiversary without cake!

In my stubborn fit of rage, I got in the car, drove to the nearest kitchen store, and bought myself a new cake stand. I went to the grocery store and bought more ingredients. Then I went back home and I spent the next four hours baking that damn cake. Again.

As I was assembling it, the bottom layer collapsed on one side. I sucked in my breath and tried to fix it up the best I could. It would have to do. After getting everything in place for the second time, I stood back to admire my work.

You won't believe what happened next. I still don't believe what happened next. What happened next isn't even physically possible.

Strawberry Rhubarb Lemonade

The cake started melting.

It had become the Virgin Mary of cakes; I didn't even need to cry because my cake was crying tears of frustration for me. Sad, clear tears ran themselves down the sides of the cake. They pooled in the bottom of the cake stand, creating a puddle of misery. The layers weeped themselves right off the cake.

To put it simply, I had a meltdown. It wasn't pretty. Over $40 of cake was lying on the table or dripping onto the floor. My kitchen was an absolute disaster. And I still didn't have anything to share with you.

I had another four failed desserts that day. You can call me persistent. You can admire my determination. But, as it so happens, I just don't know when to throw in the towel. If there was any doubt before, you now know that I am undeniably not immune to (multiple) kitchen failures.

Sigh.

So it goes.

In this case, I think it's safe to say that when life give you lemons... make lemonade.

Strawberry Rhubarb Lemonade

This strawberry rhubarb lemonade, however, is definitely not a kitchen failure. It is so light, intense, and unbelievably fruity. I had to stop myself from drinking the entire two quarts in one sitting. The strawberry notes in this lemonade really stand out. The sweetness of the strawberries is cut by the tartness of the rhubarb, creating this wonderful blend of flavors. This lemonade is such a bright, bold color that you just might find it difficult to look away. This is a drink you don't want to miss.

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Strawberry Smoothie

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Strawberry Smoothie

Strawberry Smoothie

Strawberries were the fruit of my youth. In the summertime, they were consumed almost daily. We would chop up the strawberries and mix them into a bit of vanilla ice cream (topped with a generous dose of chocolate syrup, of course). On special occasions, they were spooned on top of angel food cake and topped with a dollop of whipped cream. Usually, though, we ate them simply—sliced and sprinkled with a spoonful of sugar to make them sweet and ooze strawberry juice.

I never could resist liking that bowl clean.

Strawberry Smoothie

One of my favorite bedtime snacks was the classic strawberry smoothie. I would sip them up on hot summer evenings. The chilled drink would always cool me down until I got goosebumps. The taste was close enough to a strawberry milkshake that I felt like I was getting a special treat even though my smoothie was anything but unhealthy.

Mothers are good at tricking you like that.

Nowadays I tend to enjoy them while strolling around outside or for a light breakfast when I'm on the go. One of my favorite qualities of smoothies is the versatility. They are perfect for all hours of the day. Morning, afternoon, or evening, you can always enjoy this understated treat.

Strawberry Smoothie

This strawberry smoothie is a light, fruity drink that will satisfy any sweet (or health conscious) tooth. The base of the smoothie is low-fat vanilla yogurt and milk. Strawberries and ice provide a nice variety in texture, while a splash of vanilla extract will help round out the flavors. Remember, you control the amount of sugar in the drink. If you're afraid it may be too sweet (or you're watching your sugar levels), add a little sugar at a time until it is just right for you.

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