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Vanilla Chai Smoothie recipe

  • Author: Sophia

Ingredients

Scale

    • The Chai Foundation:

        • 1/2 cup strongly brewed black tea, chilled (e.g., Assam, Ceylon, or English Breakfast – or 1–2 chai tea bags steeped in 1/2 cup hot water and then chilled)

        • 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon

        • 1/4 teaspoon ground cardamom

        • 1/4 teaspoon ground ginger

        • 1/8 teaspoon ground cloves

        • A tiny pinch of black pepper (optional, but traditional in chai for a little kick)

        • OR 1 teaspoon of a pre-made chai spice blend

    • The Creamy Vanilla Element:

        • 1 cup unsweetened almond milk (or your milk of choice: dairy, soy, oat, coconut)

        • 1/2 cup plain or vanilla Greek yogurt (or regular yogurt, coconut yogurt for vegan)

        • 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract (good quality is key)

        • 1/2 – 1 frozen banana, sliced (for creaminess, natural sweetness, and coldness)

    • Sweetness & Optional Boosters:

        • 1–2 teaspoons honey, maple syrup, or agave nectar (adjust to taste, especially if your banana isn’t very ripe or your yogurt is unsweetened)

        • 1 tablespoon chia seeds or ground flax seeds (for added fiber and omega-3s)

        • 1 scoop vanilla or unflavored protein powder (for an extra protein hit)

        • A few ice cubes (if your tea isn’t fully chilled or you prefer an icier smoothie)

Instructions

    1. Prepare the Chai Base (if not using pre-made spice blend):

        • Brew your black tea: Steep 1-2 black tea bags (or 1 teaspoon loose leaf tea) in 1/2 cup of freshly boiled water for 3-5 minutes. Remove tea bags/strain tea leaves.

        • Allow the tea to cool completely. You can speed this up by placing it in the refrigerator or freezer for a short while. Chilled tea is crucial for a cold smoothie.

        • If you have a pre-made chai spice blend, you can skip adding individual spices in the next steps and use 1 teaspoon of the blend instead.

    1. Combine Ingredients in Blender:

        • To your blender, add the chilled brewed black tea.

        • Add the almond milk (or your chosen milk), Greek yogurt, frozen banana slices, and pure vanilla extract.

        • Add the ground cinnamon, cardamom, ginger, cloves, and the tiny pinch of black pepper (if using individual spices). If using a chai spice blend, add it now.

        • Add your preferred sweetener (honey, maple syrup, etc.) if desired.

    1. Add Optional Boosters:

        • If using chia seeds, flax seeds, or protein powder, add them to the blender.

    1. Blend Until Smooth and Creamy:

        • Secure the lid on your blender. Start blending on a low speed, then gradually increase to high.

        • Blend for 45-60 seconds, or until all ingredients are thoroughly combined and the smoothie is completely smooth and creamy.

        • If the smoothie is too thick, add a little more milk or chilled tea, one tablespoon at a time, until it reaches your desired consistency. If it’s not cold enough or you prefer it icier, add a few ice cubes and blend again.

    1. Taste and Adjust:

        • Once blended, taste your Vanilla Chai Smoothie. Adjust sweetness if needed by adding a bit more sweetener. If you want a stronger chai flavor, you can add a tiny bit more of your favorite chai spices (a little goes a long way with ground cloves and pepper). Blend briefly to incorporate any additions.

    1. Serve Immediately:

        • Pour your aromatic Vanilla Chai Smoothie into a glass and enjoy its delightful flavors right away.

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: one normal portion
  • Calories: 250-400

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Find it online: https://vintagecooks.com/vanilla-chai-smoothie-recipe/