Masala Chai

[RawHeaven]

http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g203/crystalsbones/chocolatemasalachai-2.jpg



Masala Chai**

3 cups distilled or spring water
3 tablespoons raw cacao powder
6 tablespoons hempseeds
3-6 medium to large medjool dates to taste (use 3-4 if you don't want it too sweet)
4, 1 inch slices of fresh ginger (4 pieces total)r*

Toss ingredients into a blender, strain with nutmilk bag and enjoy. Even better chilled or served over crushed ice.

Note: This is a wonderful coffee substitute if you're still transitioning.

*I didn't have any ginger recently and substituted fresh cut tumeric which gives it a more earthy, smokey flavor. Be sure to use much less tumeric because it's potent!! - maybe just one 1/2 to 1 inch piece sliced. I was blown away when I looked up the healing properties for tumeric. http://www.turmeric.co.in/turmeric_ayurvedic_use.htm

**I received this recipe from Briksha who is a raw food chef and teacher in the SF Bay Area.

[rayofsunshine]

I love this. It is very soothing for my tummy.

I use 3 cups of almond milk instead of the water and hempseeds. I also don't strain it because I like the bits of dates and ginger to chew on at the end of my drink.

[RawHeaven]

Mmm almond milk sounds delicious Rayofsunshine. I sometimes substitute cashew milk too. I like the hempseeds though because of the Omega 3's & 6's. I'll have to try it without straining it one of these days.

Edit: 3 cups water + 6 tablespoons hemp seeds = yields 3 cups hempseed milk. I simply narrowed down the recipe to 1 step instead of 2. Same way you make almond milk = water + almonds & strain.

[DebB]

This looks delicious ~ Thank you for sharing!

I wonder if you have used carob or something besides the cacao powder? I have to avoid caffeine, really ramps up my heart. *Ü*

[RawHeaven]

You're welcome! I'm sure you can substitute with carob. The beauty of raw foods is you can experiment with so different flavors and ingredients.

[DebB]

Thank you RawHeave ~ I think I'll give it a try. I'm very new and haven't tried either cacao or carob, so an experiment is in order. *Ü*

[spicyfull]

RAWks.....Thanks for Sharing.

[RawHeaven]

Spicyfull, you're welcome.

[RawHeaven]

Thank you RawHeave ~ I think I'll give it a try. I'm very new and haven't tried either cacao or carob, so an experiment is in order. *Ü*

You're welcome Deb. I think it probably will taste great with either cacao or carob. But the carob will be easier on your system probably. Let us know what you think. Thank you.