Chai Hot Chocolate - Cancer Fighting Recipe
Chocolate may seem decadent but in moderation, it can be part of a healthy cancer-protective diet. This recipe combines cinnamon, ginger and cloves with rich cocoa for the perfect warm, spiced drink for a cold day. Plus, lab studies have shown that compounds in tea and chocolate may have health protective effects, like reducing inflammation and lowering blood pressure.
Ingredients
- 4 cardamom pods, cracked
- 1 (4-inch) piece cinnamon stick
- 4 whole cloves
- 1/4 tsp. anise seed
- 2 – 4 (1/4-inch) slices fresh ginger, peeled*
- 2 cups water
- 2 black tea bags
- 2 Tbsp. unsweetened natural cocoa powder
- 2 – 4 Tbsp. tsp. vanilla extract
- 2 cups unsweetened almond or soymilk
- 3 Tbsp. agave syrup or honey, or to taste
Directions
- Place cardamom, cinnamon, cloves, anise seed, and ginger in medium saucepan, add 2 cups water, and place over medium-high heat.
- When water simmers, cover and simmer over medium-low heat for 3 minutes. Remove from heat. Add tea bags, cover and steep for 4 minutes.
- Remove tea bags, cover, and steep brewed tea with spices for 20 minutes. Strain to remove spices, and return spiced tea to saucepan.
- In small bowl, whisk cocoa with 1/4 cup of hot tea until dissolved, then add to tea.
- Mix in vanilla and almond or soymilk. Heat chai over medium-high heat until steaming. Sweeten to taste then pour into mugs, or divide chai among 4 mugs and sweeten it to taste individually.
Makes 4 servings (about 1 cup per serving). Per serving: 110 calories, 0 g total fat (0 g saturated fat, 0 g trans fat), 0 mg cholesterol, 20 g carbohydrates, 4 g protein, 4 g dietary fiber, 50 mg sodium, 11 g sugar, 11 g added sugar.