The Soul Pan Kitchen

Category: Nanny’s Porch

  • Nanny’s Sweet Iced Tea

    Nanny’s Sweet Iced Tea

    As we continue through Nanny’s Porch, I’m so excited to bring a southern classic to your kitchens!

    So I remember as a kid, Nanny would always have a pitcher of sweet iced tea in an old Tupperware pitcher and unsweetened in another! We always knew the smaller pitcher was unsweetened! In my opinion if you drink unsweetened tea, you might as well drink water.

    Here in the south it’s no surprise we use a little baking soda to cut the bitterness. When done right it’s one of the best things since sliced bread!

    Nanny always made hers to perfection and it never missed a beat!

    Ingredients

    • 4 Luzianne Family Size Iced Tea bags (or 1 Gallon Size bag)
    • 1 cup granulated white sugar (adjust to 1.5 – 2 cups for “true” Southern sweetness)
    • 4 cups water (for boiling)
    • 12 cups cold water (for mixing)
    • Optional: A tiny pinch of baking soda (removes bitterness and keeps tea clear)
    • Ice (for serving) 

    Directions:

    1. Boil Water: Bring 4 cups of water to a boil in a pot.
    2. Steep Tea: Remove the pot from heat. Add the 4 Luzianne family-size tea bags. Cover and let steep for 3-5 minutes (up to 10-15 mins for stronger tea).
    3. Sweeten: Remove the tea bags (do not squeeze them, as this adds bitterness). Add 1 cup (or more) of sugar to the hot tea and stir until completely dissolved.
    4. Optional Step: Stir in a tiny pinch (1/8 tsp) of baking soda.
    5. Dilute & Chill: Pour the hot tea concentrate into a 1-gallon pitcher. Add 12 cups of cold water (or fill with cold water to the 1-gallon mark). Stir well.
    6. Cool: Refrigerate until cold, then serve over ice. 

    Tips: Garnish with lemon and a fresh mint sprig!

  • Nanny’s Raw Apple Cake

    Nanny’s Raw Apple Cake

    Recipe 1 of the series of Nanny’s Porch! Whether it be birthdays or just because, Nanny knew what she was doing with this recipe! Honey the best apple cake this side of the Mississippi!

    Fresh apples, pecans and a sweet vanilla flavor made this cake so yummy and moist.

    So what made this cake so much fun was a big part of our childhood. We used to drive a little ways to pick pecans. Then we would shell them back at the house for the cake.

    This recipe is so simple! Mixing and baking—and you won’t be upset about it.

    Ingredients:

    3 cups of Flour

    1 tablespoon baking soda

    1 tablespoon of baking powder

    1 tablespoon of salt

    1 1/4 cup of oil

    2 cups of sugar

    3 eggs, beaten

    3 cups fresh diced apples

    1 cup pecans, chopped

    1 tablespoon vanilla

    Directions:

    Sift flour, baking soda, baking powder and salt.

    In a separate bowl, combine oil, sugar, apples, and nuts.

    Mix wet ingredients in with the dry ingredients and bake in a cake pan at 325 for 45 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean.