Creamy Chai Oatmeal

This hot cereal begins with freshly brewed tea steeped with spices. Rather than using already blended chai, I combine black tea and my own spices This takes the same 3 minutes as brewing a cup of tea but give a fresher, more vivid flavor. Also each tea maker uses a different spice blend, so this guarantees flavor you will like. Sliced banana and a dusting of cocoa powder is the perfect topping.

Makes 2 servings

Ingredients
  • 2 cups cold water
  • 2 bags black tea
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
  • 1/8 teaspoon ground allspice
  • 1/8 teaspoon ground cardamom
  • Pinch of ground cloves
  • Freshly ground black pepper
  • 1 cup low fat (1%) milk
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1 cup quick-cooking oats (not instant)
  • 2–4 tablespoons honey
  • 2 tablespoons ground flax seeds, optional
  • 1 banana, sliced
  • Unsweetened natural cocoa powder
Directions
  1. In a medium, nonreactive saucepan, bring the water to a boil. Add the tea bags, cinnamon, ginger, allspice, cardamom, cloves, and 4 or 5 grinds pepper. Remove from the heat, cover, and steep for 3 minutes. Remove the tea bags.
  2. Add the milk to the spiced tea. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Add the salt and stir in the oats. When the mixture boils, reduce the heat and cook, bubbling gently, for 4 minutes. Remove from the heat, cover, and set aside for 1 minute. The oats will be creamy but slightly al dente. Mix in 2 tablespoons of the honey.
  3. To serve, divide the oatmeal between 2 bowls. Sprinkle with the flax seeds, if desired, and top with the sliced banana. If desired, drizzle an additional 1 tablespoon honey over each serving. Add a generous sprinkle of cocoa powder, using a sugar shaker or fine tea strainer. Serve immediately.

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Copyright© 2008 Dana Jacobi, The Essential Best Foods Cookbook