For the Tea Lover

Whether the recipient loves hosting tea parties or prefers solitary comfort, these classic tea-time goodies are sure to be a hit.

Lemon Balm Tea Bread

This lemony bread adds a bright note to a winter day.

3�? cup milk
1 tablespoon finely chopped lemon balm
1 tablespoon finely chopped lemon thyme
2 cups flour
11�? teaspoons baking powder
1�? teaspoon salt
6 tablespoons butter, softened
1 cup sugar
2 eggs
1 tablespoon grated lemon zest

Lemon Glaze:

Juice of 2 lemons
Confectioner’s sugar

Lightly oil a 9-by-5-inch loaf pan. Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Heat milk with chopped herbs over low heat. Remove from heat and cool.

Meanwhile, mix flour, baking powder and salt in a bowl. In another bowl, cream butter and gradually beat in sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in eggs, one at a time. Beat in lemon zest. Add flour mixture and herbed milk to butter mixture alternately and mix until just blended.

Pour batter into the loaf pan and bake for 50 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Remove from pan to a wire rack set over a sheet of waxed paper.

To prepare lemon glaze, combine lemon juice and enough confectioner’s sugar to form a pourable paste in a small bowl.

Pour lemon glaze over bread while still hot. Cool completely.

English Rose Tea

Visions of an English countryside will come to mind while drinking this very delicate tea.

1�? cup dried red rose petals
2 tablespoons dried lemon balm
1 tablespoon dried rosemary

Mix well and store in an airtight container. Attach the following instructions on a gift tag:

For 1 cup of tea, use 1 teaspoon of herbs in a cup of boiling water. Steep for 10 minutes, strain and sweeten if desired.