I'm drinking tea, but not the sort you'd guess, and listening to Sweet Tea by Datri Bean from her album Slow Down Summertime.

Having had the pleasure of not only seeing her in an intimate concert in Austin last month, I also got a chance to sit and have a chat with her later, under the stars, at her partner's birthday party. She's a lovely lady ... with so much talent.

This is probably one of my favourite tunes from her album and really full stop, as the sound and subject is quintessentially southern: sweet, simple and supple.

For people who aren't from the states, you might not yet get the splendour of a nice, cold glass of sweet tea, but take it from me and try this recipe.

Sun Tea Reverie

In Arizona, it literally gets so hot that you can fry an egg on a sidewalk. I know. I've tried. Yeah, I bet my Mom did wonder where all those eggs were going. *grin*

Tea the way we used to make it involved putting a few tea bags, about six, into a big glass jar (what I always thought of as a pickle jar ...) and sealing it. I'd carefully carry it outside, mindful of not tumbling down the back stairs.

You'd literally have tea in no time flat.... I remember watching the water being coloured, layer by layer and the tendrils of tea forming.

Then I simply took the now hot jar (!) inside, added sugar, put it in the fridge and ... presto ... sun tea!

To make sweet tea without solar power, simply boil your water on the stove top. After it's rocking and roiling, add three or four tea bags depending on the amount of water. Sweeten to taste, refrigerate and there you have it! If you're in a hurry, let it cool a bit, put some in a glass and add ice cubes or, my favourite, crushed ice.

You can garnish it with slices of lemon and/or fresh mint, if you wish. I like mine straight.

Best served on a scorching day while you're swinging in a hammock or out on the veranda ... but anytime'll do.

Granny's Cornbread

Ingredients:

• 2 Tbsp vegetable oil
• 1 cup corn meal (polenta is an okay substitute)
• 1 cup plain flour
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1 Tbsp baking powder
• 1 egg
• 1 cup milk
• 2 Tbsp sugar

Method:

1. Put the oil in the pan and heat in the pre-heated oven (~218°C, 425°F).
2. Combine all of the other ingredients using a fork. You can do the well and all that, but I don't bother. The batter WILL be lumpy so don't overwork it.
3. Pour into the pre-heated pan and cook until golden brown (~25 minutes).

 Tip: Best served fresh out of the oven and covered with butter or margarine. Accompany with pinto beans and hamburger balls. Don't forget the green/spring onions!