Goodness is….

almond milk

Making almond milk is very easy and so delicious.  All you need is a high speed blender and a cheese cloth. If you use soy milk, rice or almond milk in the box you will never go back to using them again after tasting this!  Nut milks are rich in protein and depending on your choice of nuts and seeds, also high in vitamins and minerals.  Lately I have been making a combination of almonds and hazelnuts.    You can use nut milk anywhere you use regular milk.  I use it in my porridge in the morning and is the best breakfast.   It is also great served warmed with a little maple syrup and a few drops of vanilla essence.

almond milk

1 cup of almonds (soaked overnight)

3 cups of filtered water

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Soak 1 cup of Almonds overnight. Drain, rinse and place soaked nuts into your blender.  Add 3 cups of water.  Blend on high until the nuts are completely broken down.  Pour your milk through a nut milk bag or a cheese cloth  and squeeze out as much of the milk as possible.  I sometimes sweeten with  maple syrup or blend in a few dates  and add a few drops of vanilla essence.

The milk keeps for about three days in an air-tight jar in the refridgerator.

You can save the nut pulp to replace flour when you bake.

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Shared goodness from Stacey

home brewed spiced chai tea

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Unlike my sister’s seasonal dishes, it is Winter here in Australia, and I am looking for warming and soothing foods.  I must say that no drink better does that job, than home brewed chai tea.  This recipe has been adapted over the years and first came from my sister and her trips to India.  My husband has perfected the re-brewing stage using our coffee machine steamer to warm the tea and froth the milk.  He has a technique which produces frothy, creamy tea of which I am yet to master.  Not that I really want to find out quite yet.

Warming Spiced Chai Tea

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I use rooibos (red tea), rather than black tea as I find the black tea is too intense and overshadows the spice flavours.  Also rooibos is caffeine free, so perfect for those who prefer no caffeine and it makes a great bed-time drink.  I have experimented with using different flavoured rooibos teas, and as I usually have a variety on hand, I usually add 1 plain rooibos and 2 vanilla rooibos.  Caramel flavoured, if you can get it, is also very good.

1L filtered water

4-5 slices fresh ginger (cut on the horizontal, so long slices)

9 whole cloves

15 whole cardamom pods

1 whole star anise (optional)

1/2 cinnamon stick

5 whole peppercorns

3 rooibos tea bags (I use organic, available from supermarkets/health food stores)

Add all ingredients, except tea bags in a large saucepan.  Cover and bring to boil.  Simmer for 10 minutes.  Turn off heat and add tea bagsLet sit covered for at least 10min. (I like to leave overnight for a more intense flavour).  Strain, removing tea bags and spices.  Serve with milk of choice and honey if desired.

 Any leftover tea can be stored in a covered jug in fridge for up to 3 days. Heat quantity as required.

Shared goodness from Donna

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