What can I say about Chai....? (pronounced like pie with a Ch).
It's a centuries-old beverage which has played an important role in many cultures.
My very first encounter with chai was when I had an Indian friend and flatmate at university, who made me some 'special' tea when I was feeling unwell. It was super flavoursome, sweet, creamy and spicy. I think he used condensed milk and a punnet of sugar but at the time I thought WOW, this is amazing!
It was years later that I came across chai again in a cafe that made chai spiced milky teas and the flavour brought me back to trying it at university.
So what is traditional Chai?
Chai from India is a spiced milk tea that has become increasingly popular throughout the world. It is generally made up of:
• rich black tea
• heavy milk
• a combination of various spices
• a sweetener
The spices vary from region to region in India but those most commonly used are cardamom, cinnamon, ginger, cloves, and pepper.
Chai has become HUGELY popular as I'm sure anyone who visits coffee shops will know.
You can order chai ices, milkshakes, lattes, chocolate chai, non-fat, low-cal sweeteners, decaf, and so on and I am a HUGE fan of all things Chai.
My favourite hot drink at the moment is a "Dirty Chai" (coffee with chai flavouring), which you can request in Food Story if you live in Aberdeen or in any Starbucks. I had the tastiest one yet at The Craftsman Company in Aberdeen and they served it in a great big mug, which I love. If you haven't been you MUST go there NOW and ask for one. I like mine with oat milk which you can get in Food Story and The Craftsman Company.
One day I will travel to India and try one there but for now I'm happy with my modern take on all things chai.
Industry analysts are predicting that chai will eventually become as popular and common as cafe lattes and cappuccinos and I am not surprised.
This is where I reach today because Arbonne (the smart company I partner with) has created a genius product. I have been waiting with baited breath for this..... I even let out a small whoop when DPD sent my delivery notification yesterday.
VEGAN CHAI PROTEIN... I am aware that some may think this is completely wanky getting so excited about chai BUT other people get excited about cars and designer bags and I don't. I get excited about wanky food, which I can be creative with.
CHAI PROTEIN PANCAKES
My pancakes are not completely vegan as I mentioned before because I use eggs. Eggs are the biggest hurdle I've faced with my journey to veganism and I still use them in pancakes.
Ingredients (makes 3 medium size pancakes to serve 1-2)
2 scoops Arbonne Chai vegan protein
1 dessert spoon GF oat flour
1 dessert spoon of oats or oatmeal
1 teaspoon GF baking powder
2 eggs
1 dessert spoon flax seeds whole
teaspoon coconut oil for frying
Almond milk or water to thin
Method
1. Add the dry ingredients to a bowl and crack the eggs in and mix with a fork. The consistency will be quite thick so add a couple of splashes of almond milk or water until you get a batter like consistency.
2. Heat the oil in pan until completely melted.
3. Put a couple of spoons of the batter in the middle of the pan and wait until you see bubbles appearing before turning over. I keep the heat really low on the hob and cook them slowly so they don't burn.
4. Remove from heat and pile up pancakes.
5. Add toppings. Peanut butter or almond butter with maple syrup go well with these or some raw chocolates, like I've added here.
It's Christmas, treat yourself!!!
You need to try these. They are delicious!!!!
If you'd like to know more about any of the Arbonne products, you can contact me directly to learn about the benefits of becoming a preferred client or follow the link to my website.
Love Chai inspired Jo x
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