Celebrate National Taco Day with this great Recipe

In celebration of National Taco Day, I thought it would be a great way to give you a recipe that highlights the herb of the year - ginger!  This traditional recipe gets its spice from the flavor of ginger and the toppings are for a more traditional street taco style. And you do not need cheese, so this is dairy free!

Traditional Style Tacos 

• 3 tablespoons soy sauce
• 1 tablespoon finely grated garlic
• 1 tablespoon finely grated peeled fresh ginger
• 1 1/2 pounds skirt steak, cut into 5-inch lengths
• Salt and Pepper
• Warm corn tortillas, for serving
• Diced fresh pineapple, for serving
• Thinly sliced red onion, for serving
• Cilantro leaves, for serving

Directions
In a small bowl, whisk the soy sauce with the garlic and ginger. Brush the mixture all over the steak and season lightly with salt and pepper. Let stand for 20 minutes.

Heat a large cast-iron skillet. Add the steak and cook over high heat, turning once, until charred on the outside and medium-rare within, about 6 minutes. Transfer to a carving board and let rest for 5 minutes. Carve the steak against the grain and serve in warm corn tortillas with diced pineapple, sliced red onion and cilantro leaves.

Pumpkin Spice Sugar Scrub - Bath Blend of the Month

Welcome to Pumpkin Spice Season.  I know this is not for everyone, but I have friends who are all about Pumpkin Spice!  They cannot wait for the season to begin and love their lattes, muffins, and anything else containing Pumpkin Spice-- so I created this blend just for them and anyone else who cannot get enough of Pumpkin Spice.

This is a simple 5 ingredient item that can be made with only 4 if you do not want or cannot get coffee-flavored oil.

Pumpkin Spice Sugar Scrub

• 2 Tbls canned pumpkin
  
• 2 Tbls Brown sugar
• 2 Tbls coconut oil
• 2 tsp cinnamon
• coffee flavored oil

Mix all items together and place in a 1/4 pint canning jar. Keep refrigerated until used up (this is why you make it in small batches.) It should not be kept longer than 10 days.

To Use: Apply on hands, arms, and even face while in the bath or shower and gently rub into the skin.  Rinse off.  It will increase exfoliation and give you the scent of pumpkin spice to enjoy during the day.

Pumpkin Spice Harvest Collection

We have been making a special spice blend for the fall and winter season since about 2001. It contains cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg, ginger, and my secret ingredient lemon peel -- which makes it perfect for pies, mixed drinks, and baking. I have called it many things in the past (Spicy Dessert Blend, Cinnful Dessert Blend, and Pumpkin Spice Blend.)  We are currently using Pumpkin Spice Blend because folks tend to know what that means when they see it. This is a great substitute for Apple Pie Spice or Pumpkin Pie Spice in your seasonal baking with much less bitterness.  

The exciting thing to me about this blend is its versatility.  You can use it to make cinnamon toast, sprinkle it in your latte for that seasonal spice flavor, or you can use it in baking recipes.

In fact, we created an entire selection of baking products using this blend as the main flavor.  We have scones, muffins, pancake mix, oatmeal cookies and even an instant latte.  To make them easier to shop we collected them all with our fall teas and cider seasonings into a collection- Pumpkin Spice Harvest Collection and you get all the details on our website: www.backyardpatch.com

In the mean time here are a few great recipes you can try with our Pumpkin Spice Blend.  Although the flavor won't be nearly as fun, you can substitute ground cinnamon until your Backyard Patch Pumpkin Spice Blend arrives.

Perfect Cinnamon Toast

• 1/8 cup sugar
• 1 1/2 tsp. BackyardPatch Pumpkin Spice Blend Herb Mix

Blend together, then use as a sprinkle on rice pudding, unbaked muffins, and especially on buttered toast.

Outdoor Party Punch

• ½ gallon apple cider
• ½ gallon cranberry juice
• ½ cup brown sugar
• 2 Tbls. Backyard Patch Pumpkin Spice Blend Herb Mix
• 1 lemon, sliced    
• 1 lime, sliced
• 1 cup raisins (optional)

Add spice mixture and sugar to cider and juice.  Simmer for 20 minutes, stirring occasionally.  Add fruit slices and raisins (if used) and simmer slowly for 30 minutes.  Strain.  Serve in mugs steaming hot.  For added fun provide cinnamon stick stirs.

SOFT SPICE BARS

• 3/4 cup butter, melted
• 1 cup plus 2 Tbls. sugar, divided
• 1/4 cup molasses
• 1 egg
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 tsp. baking soda
• 2 tsp. Backyard Patch Pumpkin Spice Blend Herb Mix
• 1/2 tsp. salt

In a mixing bowl, combine butter, 1 cup sugar and molasses.  Beat in egg until smooth.  Combine flour, baking soda, BYP Pumpkin Spice Blend and salt in another bowl.  Stir into molasses mixture  Spread into greased 15"x10"x1" baking pan.  Sprinkle with remaining sugar and bake at 375 degrees or until lightly browned.  Do not over bake. Cool on wire rack.  Yield 2 1/2 doz. bars. 

And if you still cannot get enough, check out our previous recipes shared on this blog using Pumpkin Spice Blend when it was called -- Cinnful Dessert Blend

Harvest Tea - Tea Blend of the Month (Fall Tea Launch)

As Summer winds down and Fall arrives we switch to our Fall and Winter Seasonal Teas.  This particular tea is going to be among them.  For the commercial blend (which will be caffeine-free) we have altered the recipe just a bit, but I wanted to share kinda how a recipe starts with me.  I first created this blend back in 2010 and shared it here on the blog.  Since then it has been sitting in a folder of teas to make and market, but I never developed it.  This year I decided it was time.

A lot of the time I make a tea with fresh ingredients first to see if I enjoy it, then craft dry ingredients and make it again to see if the flavor changes dramatically.  At that point, I play with the ingredients adding and subtracting until I get the flavor I want.  When I create a blend that has the same flavor in numerous batches, I know I have perfected it. If the flavor changes in different batches, I go back to playing with the ingredients until the flavor is consistent.

Harvest Tea

• 4 tsp dried apple pieces, chopped in small pieces
• 1 Tbls hibiscus flowers
• 1 Tbls rooibos or black tea
• 1 Tbls rose hips
• 1 Tbls allspice berries
• 4 tsp wintergreen leaves (substitute spearmint, but not peppermint)
• 1 tsp Currants or dried cranberries
• 3 inches of cinnamon stick or 1 Tbls ground cinnamon

‌Combine dry ingredients in a glass jar. Shake well to blend. Store away from light for up to a year. Use 1 heaping teaspoon per cup of hot water. Steep for 5 minutes and sweeten only with honey.

This tea has cranberries which are great for inflammation because of their antioxidant properties and cinnamon helps with blood sugar regulation, as well as digestive issues.  Perfect after a heavy meal like Thanksgiving.

Enjoy this tea if you make it yourself, or you can enjoy this and other teas we have selected for the winter season.  If you have been enjoying the Summer Teas, those will be available only until the end of September, so get those soon, or you have to wait until next year.

Everyday Bath Blend - Bath Blend of the Month

This unique combination of herbs and flowers can be used as a bath tub tea, or as a shower scrub.  

Equal amounts of: 

• Chamomile
• rose petals
• juniper berries
• rosemary
• spearmint

Combine these in a jar with a tight-fitting lid and shake well.  Use 1 to 2 Tablespoons on a muslin bag or coffee filter for a bath or 4 Tablespoons in a washcloth for a shower.

To Prepare:

Add 1 cup of water to a saucepan and bring to a boil.  Place the bag in the water and steep for 10 minutes. Add the liquid to the bath water.  Or used the washcloth to rub or scrub your skin while in the shower.  

Herbal attributes for skin and body

Chamomile:

Chamomile has anti-inflammatory properties that can help reduce skin irritation and redness. It is often used to soothe sensitive or irritated skin. It may help alleviate stress and promote better sleep.

Rose petals:

Rose petals are known for their hydrating properties, making them beneficial for dry or dehydrated skin. They help lock in moisture and maintain skin's natural balance. Rose petals also contain antioxidants that can help protect the skin against damage from free radicals and environmental stressors. Roses have soothing and toning properties, making them useful for reducing redness and inflammation.

Juniper berries:

Juniper berries have natural antiseptic properties that can help cleanse the skin and prevent infections. They can also help remove toxins and impurities from the skin. They have a mild astringent effect, which can help tighten the skin and reduce the appearance of pores.

Rosemary:

Rosemary has stimulating properties that can help promote circulation, which is beneficial for a healthy complexion. Additionally, Rosemary contains antioxidants that can help protect the skin from damage caused by free radicals with antimicrobial properties that can help prevent bacterial growth on the skin. It can help regulate oil production, making it useful for oily or acne-prone skin. It can help reduce excess oil and minimize breakouts.

Spearmint:

Spearmint has a cooling sensation that can provide relief to irritated or overheated skin. Spearmint has antimicrobial properties that can help prevent bacterial growth on the skin, making it useful for treating acne and preventing breakouts. It has mild astringent properties that can help tighten the skin and reduce the appearance of pores.

Please note that individual experiences may vary, and it's always a good idea to perform a patch test before using any new herb or ingredient on your skin, especially if you have sensitive skin or any known allergies.

Double Lemongrass White Iced Tea - Tea Blend of the Month

A wonderful iced tea with great antioxidant properties and bold lemon flavor with a nice bit of caffeine,

Double Lemongrass Iced Tea

• Lemongrass Simple Syrup
• stalks of lemongrass
• 8 cups water (cold)
• 8 white tea bags
• Ice cubes

Directions

To prepare the lemongrass simple syrup: Take 6 full stocks of lemongrass with 1 cup of sugar or honey and 1 cup of water.  Bring the water and sugar to a boil stirring until the sugar is dissolved. Crush and chop the lemongrass stalks and add to the water and bring back to a boil.  Remove it from the stove and steep it for about 20 - 30 minutes. Once it's cool, strain the lemongrass syrup into a cup and set aside. 

For the Tea: Take a large saucepan and heat it. Add 8 cups of cold water and bring to a boil with 2 to 4 stalks of lemongrass cut in half length and crosswise.  Remove from heat and allow to steep for 1 hour.  After an hour bring the water to a boil once again. Immediately remove it from the heat and add the 8 white tea bags into the mixture and steep it for about 5 minutes. Remove the tea bags from the lemongrass tea and allow everything to cool down until it reaches a room temperature. 

Transfer to a pitcher and refrigerate until completely chilled. Remove the pitcher from the refrigerator, add ½ cup of lemongrass syrup for sweetness and stir. Serve in a tall glass filled with ice. Garnish with a lemongrass stalk. 

The mixture of two lemongrass recipes gives you a 'double iced lemongrass tea on the rocks!'

Summer Skin Toner - Bath Blend of the Month

This toner and refresher is great to bring back the neutral pH to skin after cleansing. It is especially good for oily skin.

• 1 cup of apple cider vinegar
• 5 Tablespoons rose petals
• 4 Tablespoons sage
• 3 Tablespoons raspberry leaves
• 2 Tablespoons rosemary
• 3/4 cup rosewater

Place all the herbs in a quart jar and warm the vinegar in a saucepan.  Once warmed, pour over herbs and cap with a plastic lid. Shake daily for 10 days. Strain and add rosewater to the resulting vinegar.  Store in a glass jar with a non-metal lid and apply with a cotton ball after cleansing skin.