Sweet Tea, Pasta Salad and Focaccia

Summer has come to our region early this year and we have been in the upper 80's for weeks.  We get a cooler day once in a while but the hot humid weather has settled in.  It's going to be a long few months for this hot weather hater.  When I was little, we drank sweet tea every day during warm weather and I still make it all the time.
 The Blog Tech was heading out to a work picnic and I made some food for him to take along.  This is my favorite summer pasta salad.  It's a Barefoot Contessa recipe: http://octoberfarm.blogspot.com/2011/02/sun-dried-tomato-pasta-salad.html

Focaccia goes well with this salad.

Focaccia recipe: http://octoberfarm.blogspot.com/2012/03/focaccia.html

For the tea, bring 10 cups of water and 1/4 tsp. of baking soda to a boil with 1 cup of sugar.  Drop in 8 tea bags and steep.  Squeeze 1 or 2 lemons into it and chill.  Serve over lots of ice.  * The baking soda keeps the tea crystal clear.

Comments

Guillaume said…
I very rarely drink iced tea. I remember when I first came in England to study the student association was often giving free individual bottles of iced tea from Twinings.
Anonymous said…
your salad looks amazing, what does the baking soda do, I'm curious, I have never heard of this added to tea,,
Anonymous said…
I too am curious about the baking soda! It must do something but what :-)

The Blog Tech got a really great picnic lunch!

have a great day!
Christer.
petoskystone said…
Summer is the only time I can drink sweetened tea. Then I can't get enough!
Alice said…
Yes, Curious about the baking soda ??? PH ? Sodium?
Nellie said…
Sweet tea! A summer staple in the South, for sure!
jaz@octoberfarm said…
the baking soda keeps the tea crystal clear!
Alice said…
Never heard that. Have to try it.
Leanne said…
Great tip about the baking soda. I used to love watching Barefoot Contessa on tv - love her personality. Keep cool over there.
Craig said…
I've always liked the Barefoot Contessa but have never tried one of her recipes. I must correct that.
Jim said…
You make it all look so simple....and DELICIOUS! The tea sounds like a good quencher. The pasta salad I bet is a winner! And the bread I can see would go very well with pasta, as you say.
Ever make a dandelion salad? I hear you have a few!! lol
Barb said…
That pasta salad looks great. We are sisters in hating the hot weather. We have been in the low 80' s for the last two days and I hated it. It is very unpopular around here to complain about the heat as most people think it is a treat, not me. I bet the young man at the super market will not ask me again how I am enjoying the beautiful day!!!!!(Yesterday, today we had the blessed marine layer!!)
It's been in the 90's the past two days and more heat tomorrow. I knew it! But at least we were luckier than most years. I want to try that pasta salad. Looks wonderful. I DO LOVE PASTA.
Susan said…
There are times when the only thing that keeps me from heat exhaustion is a glass of sweet tea. And now it can be crystal clear sweet tea!
TARYTERRE said…
Love Focaccia bread. And what could be better than a pasta salad and some ice tea. I'm coming over. LUNCH looks delicious.
chickpea678 said…
That focaccia looks like it goes well with everything!
What a clever tip about the baking soda in the tea!