Simple Chocolate Chai Tea Food

CHAI CHOCOLATE TRUFFLES

Steps:

• Combine the heavy cream and tea bags in a small saucepan. Place the pan over medium-low heat and warm gently, stirring occasionally, until bubbles just start to form around the edges of the cream, about 5 minutes. Simmer 3 minutes more and then turn off the heat.
• Place the chopped chocolate and salt in a medium bowl. Strain the hot cream mixture through a fine-mesh strainer over the chocolate and let sit for 3 minutes. Slowly whisk the now-melted chocolate into the cream, starting with small circles in the center of the bowl and moving into larger circles as the mixture begins to come together; stop when smooth and completely blended. Press a piece of plastic wrap directly on top of the ganache and refrigerate for about 3 hours, or until just set and cold but still pliable.
• Place the cocoa powder in a shallow bowl. With a 1-ounce scoop, scoop level rounds of the ganache into your palm and gently roll into a ball. Roll the truffles in the cocoa powder to coat, then place in an airtight container and refrigerate until ready to serve.
• Just before serving, sift a touch of gold dust, if using, over the top of the truffles for sparkle.

DARK CHOCOLATE CHAI COOKIES

Steps:

• Bring 2 cups water to a simmer in a small saucepan and add the tea bags and 1 cup sugar. Simmer 3 minutes, then remove and discard the tea bags (to keep the syrup from getting too bitter). Boil the tea until reduced to a syrup, about 10 minutes. You should have about 1/3 to 1/2 cup tea syrup. Let cool completely.
• Whisk together the flour, cinnamon, ginger, baking powder, allspice, cardamom, cloves, pepper and salt in a medium bowl. Beat the butter and remaining 1/2 cup sugar together in a bowl using an electric mixer on medium-high speed until light and fluffy, about 3 minutes. Beat in 1/4 cup tea syrup, then the egg and vanilla, until smooth. (Reserve the remaining tea syrup for another use; see Cook's Note.) Reduce the mixer speed to low and beat in the flour mixture until just combined. Divide the dough in half, wrap in plastic and form into two 7-by-2-inch logs. Refrigerate until firm, at least 4 hours or up to overnight.
• Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F. Line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper.
• Slice the logs into rounds about 1/3-inch thick, discarding the very end pieces. Arrange on the baking sheets about 1 inch apart.
• Bake the cookies, switching and rotating the baking sheets halfway through baking, until crisp and light golden on the edges, 14 to 16 minutes. Let the cookies cool completely on racks.
• Melt the chocolate in a small bowl in a microwave on 50 percent power, stirring every 30 seconds, until melted. Stir until smooth. Pour the chocolate into a sandwich-size resealable plastic bag and snip a tiny piece off one corner with scissors. Drizzle the chocolate in a zigzag pattern over the cookies. Let the chocolate harden before serving.

CHAI HOT CHOCOLATE

Steps:

• In a large saucepan, heat cream and tea bags over medium heat until bubbles form around sides of pan (do not boil). Remove from the heat; steep 5 minutes. Remove tea bags; whisk in the chocolates, vanilla and salt until smooth. Return to the heat; cook and stir until heated through. Pour into mugs; top with whipped cream and cinnamon sticks.

CHOCOLATE CHAI TEA

Steps:

• In a saucepan, bring water to a boil. Remove from heat; add tea bags. Cover and steep 5 minutes. Remove tea bags.
• Stir in sugar and cocoa. Bring to a boil; reduce heat. Add milk, vanilla, spices and salt. Cook and stir over medium heat until mixture is heated through, about 5 minutes. Do not boil. Strain, if desired. Pour into warm mugs. Garnish each with whipping cream and a sprinkle of nutmeg, if desired.

CHOCOLATE CHAI

Steps:

• Bring the water to a boil in a small saucepan. Add the tea bag, cover, and remove from the heat. Let stand for 3 to 5 minutes.
• Remove the tea bag and stir in the sugar and cocoa. Return to the stove over medium heat and bring just to a boil. Mix in the milk, vanilla, cinnamon and nutmeg. Heat through but do not boil. Pour into mugs and top with whipped cream and a cinnamon stick garnish.

CHOCOLATE CHAI TEA COGNAC

Steps:

• Special equipment: Chocolate Shot Glasses
• Shake the cognac and tea together in cocktail shaker with ice. Add cream. Shake and serve in Chocolate Shot Glasses. Add cinnamon stick for garnish.

CHAI TEA

Steps:

• Heat the milk in a saucepan over a very low heat. Empty the contents of the tea bags into the pan, then add the cracked cardamom pods, cinnamon stick, nutmeg and cloves.
• Sweeten with light brown soft sugar to taste (chai tea should be sweet, but use less if you like), then leave to infuse, but not boil, for 10 mins. Strain into mugs and enjoy.

ICED CHOCOLATE CHAI

Steps:

• In medium saucepan, combine all ingredients; bring to a boil over medium heat. Reduce heat to low; simmer 5 minutes, whisking occasionally.
• Remove from heat; let stand 10 minutes. Strain mixture. Refrigerate until chilled.

CHAI TEA

Steps:

• Place cloves and peppercorns in a large bowl; with the end of a wooden spoon handle, crush spices until aromas are released., Add the tea bags, sugar, ginger, cinnamon stick and boiling water. Cover and steep for 6 minutes. Meanwhile, in a small saucepan, heat the milk., Strain tea, discarding spices and tea bags. Stir in hot milk. Pour into mugs.

SLOW-COOKER CHAI TEA

Steps:

• Place first 5 ingredients on a double thickness of cheesecloth. Gather corners of cloth to enclose seasonings; tie securely with string. Place spice bag and water in a 5- or 6-qt. slow cooker. Cook, covered, on low 8 hours. Discard spice bag., Add tea bags; steep, covered, 3-5 minutes according to taste. Discard tea bags. Stir in milk; heat through. Serve warm.

SIMPLE CHOCOLATE CHAI TEA

Steps:

• Boil water.
• Pour 6 oz. water into mug along with 1 packet chai tea.
• Let steep for a few minutes.
• As much as possible, remove and squeeze out tea packet to get all the goodness.
• Add chocolate mix packet.
• Stir well and enjoy.