WARM SPICED CHAI

• servings: 6
• total time: 25 minutes

Ingredients

6 cardamom pods /½ tsp. whole peppercorns

5 cups water

¼ cup honey

2 cinnamon sticks (3 in.)

8 whole cloves

3 whole star anise

1 Tbsp. minced fresh gingerroot

5 blacktea bags

2 cups whole milk

1 Tbsp. vanilla extract

Ground nutmeg, optional

Directions

1. In a spice grinder or with a mortar and pestle, combine cardamom pods and peppercorns; grind until aromas are released.

2. 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.

3. 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. 1 CUP: 102 cal., 3g fat (2gsat. fat), 8mg chol., 44mgsod., 17g carD. (16g sugars, 1 fiber), 3gpro.