There is something soul soothing about warm drinks on a backdrop of falling leaves preceded by the changing colours of Fall to the light gentle snowfall and shorter days of Winter that draw me to the kitchen to brew up a warm cup of tea or a hot cup of "dandy-coffee". With knees snuggled close and a fire ablaze, listening to Norah Jones, a perfect moment is born.
Here are two recipes created over the years that are caffeine free, dairy free and processed sugar free. That alone tells you it is healthy, but the individual ingredients boast health benefits that are best left for another day on another blog! After all, this about about soothing the soul, not arousing it with science!
Dandy Macchiato
This is one drink you can play with the amounts depending on your personal taste buds. For example, the addition of raw carob (caffeine free), naturally imbues a sweeter, creamy taste, whereas, increasing the dandy blend tones it down due to the roasted grains, chicory, dandelion and beet roots. Roasted carob is different taste and colour than raw and will not give you the flavour you are looking for. If you are new to using coconut oil, you may wish to start with 1 tsp. Coconut oil has numerous brain and metabolic health benefits, but it also gives this drink it's frothy top! If you are avoiding gluten, this blend is certified gluten free.
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 5 minutes
Serving : 1 mug
Ingredients:
1/2 cup of water
3/4 cup of almond milk (see Almond Milk recipe)
1-2 tbsp of raw carob powder
1 tbsp of dandy blend powder
1 tsp up to 1 tbsp of coconut oil
Sprinkle of cinnamon
Preparation:
measure out your ingredients
bring 1/2 cup of water to a boil
reduce heat and add almond milk, let warm for 1-2 minutes, do not boil, turn heat off
in a small blender or deep bowl add the milk, carob, dandy and coconut oil
whisk or blend drink till well mixed and frothy
pour into your favourite mug and sprinkle with cinnamon
Meal Tip/Preparation
Holiday Cheer version: Almond Dairy Free Baileys or if you are not allergic to dairy, add 2 tbsp to the blender for an extra warming!
z-Masala Chai Tea
If you have never made this tea you will be in for a culinary treat on all levels! Not only do the spices infuse the home with aromatic smells that are divine, but it will pleasing to the tastebuds, digestive health and hormone health!
This tea was inspired many years ago by a close friend (who is Punjabis) and I have added a few twists of my own in keeping with the caffeine and dairy free theme.
Some original recipes call for the addition of black tea and black pepper. This recipe omits both, but adds fenugreek seed* which has a 'maple syrup' flavour. The black tea is substituted with rooibos tea, which is optional, as the flavour without the addition of black tea or rooibos can stand on its own.
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 15-20 minutes
Serving: 2 mugs
Special Equipment: mortar with pestle or coffee grinder
Ingredients
2 cups of water
4 cardamon pods
1 tbsp of fennel seeds
2-3 cloves
1/2 cinnamon bark stick
1 tbsp of fenugreek seeds*, ground or whole (alternatively, fenugreek tea bag)
1 inch of fresh ginger, roughly chopped
1 rooibos tea bag, optional
1/2 cup of a milk substitute (almond, rice)
1- 2 tbsp honey or your personal preference
Preparation
place cardamon, fennel seeds, cloves and cinnamon bark in a mortar or coffee grinder. Pestle the spices or pulse gently enough to break up the spices in a grinder. If you are using fenugreek seeds you can place those in the coffee grinder.
in a medium saucepan, add water, spices, ginger and fenugreek seeds (place loose in water or in a bleach free tea bag or tea ball)
turn heat to medium high and allow to come to a boil, 5 minutes
once boiling is reached turn down to medium low and allow to simmer for 10 minutes
slowly add milk substitute, rooibos tea bag (if using) and allow to gently simmer for 1-2 minutes
let sit for additional 2 minutes, remove rooibos tea bag, spices (bag or use a sieve to strain)
add honey to taste
pour into mugs and enjoy!
*Caution: pregnant women should not over consume fenugreek seeds as they contain ‘saponins’, a chemical compound that is found in oral contraceptives and could induce a miscarriage or premature labour.