Sunday, September 30, 2007

Chai Lattes, Anyone?

Yesterday and today have been cool and drizzly. The rain is coming down fairly steadily but gently, and the overcast sky makes me want to snuggle back into bed. It seems like fall has moved in overnight; suddenly the house feels a bit cool-ish and I found myself searching my sock drawer for some cozy socks this morning. It's a day like this when you feel like drinking something warm, spiced and soothing. I decided it was time to get out my crock-pot and make another batch of Chai tea.

Since Starbucks is so (unfortunately) out of my reach, I have adapted several of my favorite Starbucks methods for my own enjoyment at home. And recently, I found this great recipe for Chai tea which I thought was perfectly lovely. If I had a better milk frother, I would say that the finished product tasted exactly like Starbucks. (My "frothed" milk tends to deflate in a matter of moments.) So I thought you all might enjoy the recipe!

You will need:
2 quarts (8 cups) water
8 bags black tea
3/4 cup sugar
16 whole cloves
16 whole cardamom seeds, pods removed (optional) [I skipped this with no ill effects]
5 cinnamon sticks [I used less since they're not as easy to find here]
8 slices fresh ginger
Milk to taste, for later [About 1 part milk to 2 parts tea is a good ratio, I think]

Combine the water, tea, sugar, cloves, cardamom, if using, cinnamon and ginger in your slow cooker. Cover, cook on High for 2 to 2.5 hours. Strain mixture and discard solids. At this point, tea may be covered and refrigerated for up to 3 days. Stir in the milk just before serving. Serve hot or chilled.

I think you could easily adapt this recipe to use on the stovetop if you wanted it to go faster. I really enjoy this recipe and hope you will, too!

7 comments:

Anonymous said...

Yum! I bet it makes the house smell awesome as well!

:) noel

Gretchen said...

Rachel,

So good to catch up with your blog and see what is going on with you all. You are on our minds and in our prayers. I am so thankful for this way of keeping in contact. You have done an excellent job painting little portraits for us of your life there. Thank you so much!

I was blessed by the story of John reading the story of Christ's death and resurrection (side note -- Jesus Storybook Bible is the BEST!). I just love the WONDER that makes you realize how amazing it is! How precious the seeds you are sowing in her heart to love and care for Jesus! You're doing great to establish that routine with the girls.

Have you found a house helper yet? I will be praying about that. I hope you get someone wonderful -- a dear friend. :)

Love you guys!
~Gretchen

SingerMamaMelody said...

SO fun to read about your story time...that is precious. Kristi has a book about Baby Jesus and she will pick it up and say "sus, sus." It's adorable. Then she has a litle Bible story book, and she says "Bible" for that...and a Bible Songs book...and she says "Bible Songs, Bible Songs" and wants me to sing them all over again. It is adorable and it makes me want to love HIM more. Oh, and awesome about the Chai recipe...I can't wait to try it! I miss you guys. And thanks to Chloe, now Kristi likes dried fruit more...she eats raisins all the time, and I've given her some craisins too. Good idea! take care and have a lovely day...

Anonymous said...

Rachel,
I love Chai tea! I've always just bought the concentrate and then added water to it. I'll definitely have to give this one a try. I'm so glad that you guys are settling in and that things are going well. As always, you are in our thoughts and prayers. Hope you're all feeling well :).
Thinking of ya!
Rebecca V.E.

Anonymous said...

Rachel,

Sorry, I add milk, not water!
Rebecca VE again!

Rachel said...

Noel, yes, it smells wonderful! Of course, you have no need to make it at home! :)

Gretchen, thanks so much for your kind words. And no, we haven't found a helper yet--still looking and praying!

Melody, how sweet about Kristi! She is learning well already!

Rebecca, hope you can give the recipe a try. Fresh ginger is probably the most expensive ingredient there but is so cheap for us here, so perhaps that will make it too costly to make yourself. But try it out--it makes a big batch! Thanks for your thoughts and prs for us!

Rachel

James and Christen said...
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