Spice Chai Oats Caramelized Bananas and Chocolate Hazelnut Butter

I’m a little crazy for Chai — sweet, savory, spicy awww man it’s my favorite. One of our perfect nights entails a walk down to Alta for a big cuppa vanilla chai tea on their twinkly-lit patio. Since I love chai tea so much, I decided to add it to our breakfast. Can’t go wrong with that, right? So here you go, a big bowl of vanilla chai spiced oats, topped with cacao nibs, pecans, hemp seeds, chocolate hazelnut butter and warm caramelized bananas swimming in vanilla hemp milk!

Oatmeal
1 cup vanilla hemp mylk
1/2 cup organic “Oregon Chai” tea concentrate
1 tsp vanilla bean paste
1 cup rolled oats
– In a medium saucepan, bring hemp mylk, chai tea and vanilla bean paste to a boil. Reduce heat and add rolled oats. Cook for 10-20 minutes stirring occasionally, until desired consistency. Remove from heat, cover and let stand for 2 minutes before serving.

Caramelized Bananas
1 banana
1 tbsp coconut sugar
1/2 tsp cinnamon
1 tbsp coconut oil
-Peel and cut the banana in half. Sprinkle coconut sugar and cinnamon on each side. Heat coconut oil in a frying pan and lay the bananas sugar-side down into the coconut oil. Fry for 2 minutes or until golden brown.

Toppings
1 tbsp hemp seeds
1 tbsp cacao nibs
1 tbsp pecans
1 tbsp chocolate hazelnut butter
Star anise
Cinnamon
+ more vanilla hemp mylk for pouring

Vanilla Chai Chia Seed Pudding

It tastes just like a creamy chai tea. This is an incredibly easy recipe and convenient to take with you on the go. I like to make mine in a mason jar and screw on the lid so I can toss it in my purse when the morning gets busy.

Healthy benefits of chia seeds …“they add fiber to your diet and are loaded with Omega-3 fatty acids which are great for your brain, heart and skin. Chia seeds have a high source of Calcium, Manganese and Phosphorus all of which support healthy bones and teeth. They are chock-full of protein and can fight belly fat” according to The Huffington Post. Sign me up!

Ingredients

1/3 cup chia seeds

1 cup cold milk (or almond milk is you prefer non-dairy)

2 tbsp. condensed milk (or 1 tsp stevia for a healthier option)

1 tsp. vanilla extract

1/4 tsp. cardamom

1/4 tsp. cinnamon

pinch of allspice

pinch of glove

Directions

Mix all ingredients together in a bowl or large cup. Let sit for 15 minutes to activate the natural gel that surrounds the seeds. Simple as that.

*I like to eat mine cold so I suggest placing it the the refrigerator until you want to eat it. You can also heat it up if you prefer it hot.

Chai Coffee Latte With a French Press

So traditionally chai lattes are made with a spiced black tea….”Chai TEA latte” but we’re getting crazy here with this recipe and using coffee instead! I made this yesterday and it was marvelous — so much flavor! What a special treat to start your day off right!

Serves 2

Ingredients:

1 cup coffee grounds

1 1/2 tsp. ground ginger

4 thin slices of fresh ginger

3 aniseed stars

1 tbsp. cinnamon + extra for sprinkling

1 tbsp. cardamom

1 tsp. whole allspice

1/8 tsp. ground clove {whole clove optional}

pinch of salt

pinch of pepper

4 cups hot water

1/2 cup evaporated milk {=1/4 cup into each mug}

1/4 cup condensed milk {=2 tbsp. into each mug}

Whipped cream

Directions:

Combine coffee grounds and spices in a French press. Add hot water and give it a good stir. Let steep for 5 minutes. Then place the lid on the French press and gently push the sifter making sure the spices and coffee grounds stay below the seal. Pour the spiced coffee into drinking cups or mugs. Now add evaporated and condensed milk among the cups.

Top with whipped cream and sprinkle with cinnamon.

* Honestly I like both chai {coffee or tea}…if you’re looking for a bold flavor, you’ll love this coffee version. If you prefer a smoother taste I suggest substituting 6 black tea bags in replace of the 1 cup of coffee grounds for a tradition chai tea latte.

Picture:French press with spoon