Salted Earl Grey Caramel Sauce
If there are three things that I love, they are sweets, botanicals, and Star Trek. Did I ever think I would be party to a recipe that would marry those things together? Not really, and to be fair, the Star Trek involvement in this recipe is pretty nonexistent. (However, if any Next Generation fans are reading this, I think you will appreciate the reference.) In all seriousness, we already know that sweets and botanicals go hand in hand, and we are always trying to find creative ways to combine the two. We recently stumbled upon this classic Mountain Rose Herbs caramel sauce recipe and could not resist bringing it back. Earl Grey fans to the front of the class, please! This recipe is for you.
Is there anything that caramel doesn’t make better? Don’t overthink it because the answer is no. The beauty of caramel in a sauce form is its ease of use and “drizzability.” Caramel is a classic choice for any ice cream-related adventure, and also amazing when paired with baked goods, apples, nuts, chocolate, coffee drinks, or even some cocktails. This particular recipe brings in the unique floral flavor of Earl Grey tea to balance and enhance the creamy, sweet, and salty flavors of the caramel. I am not exaggerating when I say it is both easy to make and ridiculously delicious. Enjoy (and live long and prosper)!
Herbal Chocolate Truffles with Jiling Lin
Tune in as our dear friend, Jiling Lin, teaches us how to make herb-inspired chocolate truffles! She shares how easy and approachable this herbal preparation can be and why weaving wellness ingredients into our favorite treats is a great way to harness the power of plants!
Irish Sea Moss Gel Recipe
Perhaps you’ve noticed that sea moss gel has been trending for a few years now in wellness circles. Made from red algae, sea moss gel is rich in nutrients like iodine, magnesium, iron, folate, vitamin K, and calcium. Bonus: it’s simple to make at home with just three ingredients and provides countless ways to up the nutrient value of your favorite recipes. Sea moss gel doesn’t have a lot of flavor on its own, so while you can certainly dip in a spoon and eat it as-is, its add-in potential is where it really shines! Try adding this easy ocean superfood to a winter soup or a stir-fry, or blend a frozen cube into your morning smoothie for a nutrient-packed start to your day.
Homemade Elderberry Gummies (Vegan)
We love elderberries for their nutritious immune benefits and delicious flavor, so we’re always excited for new recipes, and right now we’re all about elderberry gummies. Unfortunately, gummies are usually made with gelatin, which is a hard no for our vegan friends. We wanted to create an elderberry gummy that anyone can enjoy, but how do you get a gelatin-like gummy without the gelatin? The key is agar-agar powder! Agar-agar comes from the structure of cell walls in certain kinds of red algea, so this wonder of nature is vegan-friendly and makes a beautiful, shiny, delicious gummy that has a nice “squish” and works especially well in candy molds. If you’ve ever had a Japanese fruit jelly, you’ll recognize the consistency of agar gummies. What a fun way to get a little boost of immune-supporting elderberries!
Chia Seed Pudding Recipe With Pumpkin Spice
I will admit that I was a latecomer to the pumpkin pie spice trend. I still have not had a pumpkin spice latte, for instance. I have been starting to come around though. My turning point came after I tried one of our very own blog recipes, pumpkin pie spice roasted mixed nuts. Ever since that day, I have felt the undeniable pull towards this seasonal favorite. As the days grow shorter and cooler, the warming spices seem to offer the perfect comfort and sense of wellbeing. Naturally, I wanted to celebrate the arrival of pumpkin spice season this year with a recipe variation!
We have sung praises for chia seed pudding before. It resides in that oh-so-special territory where it is tasty enough to be a dessert and healthy enough to be a fueling breakfast or snack. Chia seeds are high in fiber and rich in brain- and body-loving nutrients like omegas, proteins, and antioxidants; the fact that they naturally create a pudding-like texture is what makes them pure magic. Chia seed pudding is also highly versatile and customizable, and thus, it felt like the perfect canvas to spread a little pumpkin spice joy on.
Typically, pumpkin spice just refers to the spice blend used in pumpkin pie, for this recipe I decided to throw myself fully into the season by adding a bit of pumpkin as well. Happy Autumn!
Homemade Creamsicle® Recipe (Vegan)
You may have noticed over the years that we have some really unique orange cream-themed offerings in the Mountain Rose Herbs product catalog. From our Orange Cream Rooibos and Oolong teas to our Orange Cream Essential Oil, these custom blends did not come to be by happenstance. Mountain Rose Herbs’ Owner, Shawn Donnille, is an avid Creamsicle® fan and has been the driving force behind those specialty blends for years.
In celebration of National Creamsicle® Day, we decided to make a homemade vegan version of the classic popsicle for you to try out.
Homemade Creamsicles® With Orange Cream Rooibos (Vegan)
As a child, I remember delighting in the hot days of August. My brother and I could spend an entire day in the yard leaping through the sprinkler, having rowdy water fights, and just causing general (damp) mayhem. However, the real highlight of any summer day was the moment that the sing-song tones of the ice cream truck floated to us. In my memory, the ice cream truck has an almost mythical quality to it. It would appear with a burst of song at the perfect moment, with an endless bounty of colorful, frozen treats. I recently learned that national creamsicle day is August 14 and I was immediately flooded with countless (sticky) memories from my youth. Pairing my new awareness of the upcoming occasion with the fact that our fearless leader, Shawn Donnille, is an avid Creamsicle® fan, I decided to try my hand at an herbal adaptation of this beloved summer treat that would win over even the most diehard admirers.
Minty Lemongrass Oxymel (Without Vinegar)
Oxymels are an herbal extraction of an acid mixed with honey. Usually, when we think about extracting herbal properties with acids, we look to vinegars. But did you know that if you replace the vinegar with a citrus juice like lemon or lime, you still capture the herbal constituents and end up with a drier oxymel that is perfect for summer mocktails?
Our friend Amanda Crooke from the Center for Herbal Studies has kindly shared a simple recipe for a delicious citrus-based lemon-mint oxymel and a lemony, bubbly mocktail that is the perfect refreshing sipper on a hot summer day. We think these are the ideal recipes to get the summer party started!
Adaptogenic Moon Milk with Chaga & Ashwagandha
This adaptogenic moon milk recipe harnesses the benefits of ashwagandha root, chaga mushroom, and warming spices to invoke a sense of well-being. Ashwagandha and chaga have both earned a reputation for helping to quiet the mind and revitalize the bodies of those who find themselves overwhelmed or stretched thin. Welcome this tasty and functional beverage into your evening routine for better sleep and stress support. Take a deep breath, sip, and repeat.
Tulsi Moon Milk Recipe
Find the full recipe + two other moon milk variations here: https://blog.mountainroseherbs.com/3-…
If you’re longing for a restful slumber, you may want to add moon milk to your list of sleepy-time beverage options. This herbal drink has a lovely flavor that is perfectly complemented by the mellow sweetness of coconut. This beverage calls upon the stress-relieving properties of holy basil, also commonly called tulsi, and hops flowers. We hope you sip slowly and dream sweetly!
