Coconut Chai

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I love a good chai, but had yet to run across anything like this version which looked too good not to share. adapted from kimmie at beyonddiet.com.

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Steps

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In a large pot bring 2 quarts of water to a boil over high heat.

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While the water is heating , take the cinnamon sticks , cardamom pods and cloves and roughly grind or chop them.

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Use a coffee grinder designated for spices for a couple of pulses.

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Add the spices to the boiling water , along with the peppercorns and simmer for 10 minutes.

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In the meantime pour the coconut milk , coconut sugar and vanilla bean and seeds into a small saucepan simmering over medium-low heat , stirring occasionally , until the sugar has melted.

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Do not let the mixture boil.

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Remove the vanilla bean pod.

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After ten minutes remove the water from heat and add the tea.

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Let sit for 4-8 minutes and strain out the tea into a pitcher.

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Add in the coconut milk mixture and serve.

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To extract the beans from a vanilla pod , take a sharp paring knife and run it down the center of the pod to open up the bean.

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Scrape the bean with the knife and add the beans to the coconut milk', if you can't have caffeine then substi.

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Ingredients

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water, cinnamon sticks, cardamom pods, whole cloves, peppercorns, black tea, coconut milk, palm sugar, vanilla bean