Pumpkin Spice Latte

September 23rd, the official first day of fall, or so it's supposed to be. Here in California it has been somewhat of the opposite to what one might expect with temperatures of 75 (which i realize for most is relatively cold, but for the bay area it's pretty warm). This being the case it doesn't quite feel like fall yet therefore i haven't felt the need to break out my fall boots or lovely wool coat, or switch to a warm beverage instead of my summer drink, iced decaf latte. But i know that as September comes to a close and we approach my favorite month of the year, October, that fall will come and the weather will turn shortly there after.

Raspberry Basil Creme Brulee

I took a trip out to my mothers house the other day; and by trip i mean a 30 minute travel time. She had informed me that her garden was producing and i should gather some produce, so i did! The bounty included, lots of zucchini and lettuce, a bushel of dried parsley and basil! Now for me the rub was basil, what do i do with basil?! its just one of those herbs that I have never had an attraction to. It's not that i dislike it, i just don't know how to use it, other than spaghetti sauce or pesto of course. So there i was, standing in my kitchen wondering.

Domestic chaos and new obsessions

picture from http://www.kuchkhaashai.com

Two days to go, the kitchen a mess and our bags still not packed i sat there; hand on my chin, signifying that i was in deep thought, trying to decide whether or not i wanted to attempt making a lime simple syrup. my guilty pleasure when eating out is taco bell and my most recent obsession is their Lime sparkler...So refreshing!! So as i was already in the kitchen and had the ingredients i decided to Go for it. what a great addition for our upcoming camping trip, i thought. The result, a very yummy, cheap and easy version that was very well received by my fellow campers! Many thanks to Nigella Lawson's lime syrup recipe, intended of course for a cake but worked quite well for my beverage. The only slight challenge was getting the syrup to completely dissolve into cold soda, so i suggest using room temp. soda and adding ice after stirring. 

Ingredients: 

for syrup:

1/2 C. Lime Juice 

Zest of 2 Limes 

1 C. Granulated Sugar 

for sparkler:

1-2 Tbs Lime syrup 

7Up or sierra mist

Ice 

Lime wedge 

Directions: 

combine all ingredients in a small saucepan and bring to a boil over med-low heat. allow to boil for 2-3 min more, stirring consistently. Remove from heat, and using a flour sifter strain out lime zest over small bowl, cool in fridge for about 10 minutes before transferring to a glass bottle or container. 

for assembly:

In medium glass, add 1-2 Tablespoons of Lime syrup, depending on taste. squeeze one lime wedge over syrup, then go ahead and drop it in! Add a little amount of soda and stir until well combined. Add plenty of ice and then pour in lemon lime soda until 3/4 of the way up the glass. Give it one more good stir, and Enjoy!! 

Adapted from insanitytheory.net/kitchenwench (Originally Nigella Lawson's How to be a domestic Goddess).