Guest post: Food blogger Aimee Plesa with Thyme After Thyme Gourmet: Plus, Spiced Cider Recipe

I am featuring fellow food blogger Aimee Plesa author of Thyme After Thyme Gourmet.

Aimee writes a food blog with cooking how to’s and guides. Her recipes come from a variety of places, from cookbooks and magazines to family recipes. She often adds her own special twists to the recipes to make them her own.

Amy is a 45 year old single mother of 4 who lives and works in SW Ohio. She is the kitchen manager for a popular sports bar as well as an independent chef who provides various services including retail and wholesale baking and confectionery, meal prep and culinary classes. She is also a free lance writer who specializes in writing about food, gardening, landscaping and entertainment/sports. In her spare time she enjoys hiking, photographing the local flora and fauna, painting and drawing. She is currently working on her first cookbook with the goal of it becoming a full series.

Recipes from Aimee:


Some people think cider is only for the fall months, but I enjoy it pretty much year round. When the months turn cool, this is one of my favorite pick-me-ups.

Hot Spiced Cider recipe

• 8 cups apple cider
• 1 whole cinnamon stick
• 6 whole cloves
• 2 inch piece of fresh ginger, peeled and cut into pieces

Directions

Combine all ingredients in a large stock pot. Cover and bring to a simmer over medium low heat.Partially remove lid and allow to simmer for 15 minutes to allow flavors to fully develop. Serve hot.


I know a food blog isn't exactly the place to discuss UTI's, but as a woman, I feel the need to share this smoothie recipe with my female readers. It has been pounded into our brains since we were most likely little girls to drink cranberry juice to help ease the suffering associated with this common malady. But if you are anything like me, you can only drink so much juice before you are thoroughly repulsed by even the faintest whiff of cranberry. Try this smoothie instead and see if it works better for you.


Cranberry Smoothie recipe

• 1 cup fresh apple juice
• 1 inch piece ginger-root, grated
• 1/2 cup fresh or frozen cranberries
• 1/2 teaspoon ascorbic acid (Vitamin C powder)
• 6 ice cubes

Directions

Add all ingredients to a blender and blend on high speed until smooth. Drink immediately.



Aimee's  Notes

If you don't have fresh apple juice on hand, you can use commercially made juice, just make sure you buy the unsweetened kind.

Blueberries are also supposed to have properties that help fight off UTI's. If this recipe is too "cranberry" for you, use half blueberries and half cranberries.

Disclaimer: All medically related information is intended for general knowledge only and is not a substitute for the advice or treatment for specific medical conditions by a licensed professional. I do not recommend the self-management of health problems. Should you have any health care-related questions, please call or see your physician or other health care provider promptly. You should never disregard medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read here.


More drink recipes:

Eggnog...Oh, how we love thee

It's the most cranberry time of the year

Cranberry vodka drink recipe