Ginger Cheer (12/18/10)

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Ginger Tea

This is perfect when you start to feel congestion coming on or as a way to warm yourself on a chilly evening.

4 cups water
2-inch piece of fresh ginger root
sweetener like honey or brown rice syrup
lemon slice

Peel the ginger root and slice it into thin slices. Bring the water to a boil in a saucepan. Once it is boiling, add the ginger. Cover it and reduce to a simmer for 15-20 minutes. Strain the tea. Add honey and lemon to taste.

Old Fashioned Gingerbread

1 cup dark molasses
1 1/2 cups boiling water
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 cup butter or Earth Balance margarine
1 cup Wholesome Sweeteners Sucanat
1 large egg (or for a vegan version, substitute 3/4 cup soy or rice milk mixed with 1/2 cup ground flaxseed for the egg—this works beautifully in this recipe)
1/2 teaspoon sea salt
2 teaspoons cinnamon
3 tablespoons freshly minced ginger
1 teaspoon ground ginger
1 teaspoon ground cloves
2 1/2 cups whole wheat flour
zest of one orange
1 tablespoon baking powder

Preheat oven to 375°. In a large bowl, stir together molasses and boiling water; add baking soda and let cool till lukewarm. In a separate bowl, Cream butter and sugar; and add egg. Sift in all remaining ingredients to butter mixture. Add molasses mixture and sir well; batter will be thin. Place batter in lined muffin tins. Bake for 20 minutes then reduce heat to 300° and bake for an additional 20 minutes or until cake tests done.