Chai Spiced Grits Recipes

WARM SPICED CHAI

Steps:

• In a spice grinder or with a mortar and pestle, combine cardamom pods and peppercorns; grind until aromas are released., In a large saucepan, bring water to boil. Add cardamom mixture, honey, cinnamon sticks, cloves, star anise and ginger; simmer 5 minutes or according to taste. Remove from heat. Add tea bags; cover and steep 5 minutes., Meanwhile, in a small saucepan, heat milk. Strain tea, discarding spices and tea bags. Stir in hot milk and vanilla. Pour into mugs. If desired, sprinkle with nutmeg.

CHAI SPICED S'MORES

Steps:

• Put the chocolate in a heatproof bowl.
• Put the cream in a small saucepan and bring to a simmer over medium heat. Add the tea leaves, stir, remove from heat and let stand 10 minutes. Return the tea-infused cream to medium heat until just simmering. Pour the cream through a fine mesh strainer set over the bowl of chocolate. Shake the bowl to evenly distribute the cream and let stand 5 minutes to melt the chocolate. Stir until very smooth and let the chocolate cool to room temperature. Discard the tea leaves.
• To make the s'mores in the oven, set an oven rack 6 to 8 inches from the broiler and preheat the broiler.
• Put 8 graham cracker squares on a baking sheet and spread 1/2 teaspoon of the cooled chocolate over the entire surface of each square. Arrange mini marshmallows on each chocolate covered graham, being sure to cover the cracker completely. Spread about 1/2 teaspoon of the chocolate on each remaining graham crackers and set them aside.
• Transfer the pan to the oven and toast the marshmallows under the broiler until deep golden brown, about 30 seconds. (DO NOT leave the oven - keep an eye on the marshmallows - they toast very quickly).
• Remove the s'mores from the oven and top with the chocolate covered grahams, chocolate side down. Press lightly to spread the chocolate to the edges. Let the s'mores cool for 1 to 2 minutes before devouring.
• To make s'mores the old fashioned way, and you have access to open flame, either a gas stove or fireplace, put 2 jumbo marshmallows on a metal skewer. Spread 1/2 teaspoon chocolate on each of 8 graham squares (this will be the bottom of the s'more). Dollop a teaspoon of chocolate onto the center of the remaining 8 squares and reserve (these are the tops).
• Toast the marshmallows over an open flame until brown (or charred), as desired. While holding the skewer, put the toasted marshmallows onto the center of the bottom graham square. Invert a graham cracker top over the marshmallows and press lightly while you simultaneously pull the skewer from the marshmallows to create a sandwich. Repeat with the remaining marshmallows and serve while still warm.

CHAI SPICE "CHEESECAKE"

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Lightly spray a 9-inch springform pan with cooking spray. Stir together graham crackers and brown sugar in a small bowl, then drizzle with oil and stir. Add just enough milk to make crumbs stick together. Press very firmly into bottom of pan. Bake 10 minutes. Keep oven at 350 degrees F.
• Meanwhile, blend cheesecake-batter ingredients in a blender until completely smooth and no bits of cashew remain, giving blender a rest every minute or so and scraping down sides with a rubber spatula. Batter should be completely smooth and not grainy: This takes about 1 minute with a high-powered blender (such as Vitamix) or about 5 minutes with a standard blender.
• Spray inside springform pan (above baked crust) with cooking spray. Pour in batter and jiggle to spread evenly over crust. Bake until top is lightly puffed and edges are golden, 45 to 50 minutes.
• Cool to room temperature on a rack, about 1 hour. Chill, covered, at least 3 hours or, even better, overnight.
• Slice cake with a thin, sharp knife dipped in water. Dollop each slice with whipped topping, dust with cinnamon, and sprinkle with candied ginger.