CHAI

Start to finish: 15 minutes

Ingredients

1/2 cup water
1 black tea bag, such as orange pekoe, English breakfast, Lapsang Souchong, or Darjeeling
One 3-inch piece stick cinnamon
2 cups lactose-free milk
2 tablespoons raw sugar or honey
1 teaspoon vanilla
1/8 teaspoon ground ginger

Directions

In a small saucepan combine water, tea bag and cinnamon stick. Bring to boiling. Remove from heat. Cover and let stand 5 minutes. Remove tea bag and cinnamon stick; discard.

Stir the milk, sugar, vanilla, ginger and cardamom into the tea. Cook and stir over medium heat until mixture is heated through (do not boil).

To serve, pour hot mixture into warm mugs. Makes 2 servings.

Nutrition facts per serving: calories: 175; total fat: 5g; saturated fat: 3g; cholesterol: 18mg; sodium: 124mg; carbohydrate: 24g; fiber: 0g; protein: 8g; vitamin C: 4%; calcium: 30%; iron: 1%

CHAI MIX

This spiced tea mix is based on dry milk powder.

Start to finish: 15 minutes

Carbs: Carbohydrate 6g

Ingredients

1 1/4 cup nonfat dry milk powder
1/4 cup black tea leaves
12 whole cardamom pods
4 2-inch pieces stick cinnamon
2 teaspoon dried lemon peel

Directions

In two clean cellophane bags or two 6-ounce jars or bottles, layer all ingredients, dividing evenly. Seal bags or cover jars and store in a cool, dry place for up to 3 months.

To serve, in a large saucepan combine contents of bag with the water. Bring to boiling; remove from heat. Cover and let stand for 5 minutes. Strain through a wire sieve lined with 100-percent-cotton cheesecloth or clean paper coffee filter.

To serve, add honey to sweeten to taste. Makes enough mix for 8, 1-cup servings.

To present this as a gift: You will need a cellophane bag, 18-inch length of 1-inch-wide ribbon, scissors, 2 cinnamon sticks, ribbon, colored paper in 3 colors, decorative scissors (optional), thick white crafts glue, paper punch, cord and teapot.

Fill the cellophane bag with prepared Chai mix as directed in recipe; tie with a loose ribbon bow. Trim the ribbon ends, if desired. Tie two cinnamon sticks together with a ribbon bow; tuck into larger bow.

For the tag, cut three slightly different-size shapes from colored papers. Cut with decorative scissors, if desired. Glue one on top of the other. Let the glue dry. Punch a hole in one corner. Thread cord through hole. Include preparation directions with gift.

Also try this: Personalize a plain glass teapot by painting an initial on one side using paints specifically made for glass. Let the paint dry. Bake the painted glassware in the oven if instructed by the paint manufacturer. Let cool.

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