Homemade Holiday Cheer ~ 2010

Merry Christmas & Happy New Year to you all!!!

It has been awhile... Since my last post I moved back to Texas, I knew I wasn't sure where to plant myself, so I moved in with my sister Stacey. The job search found me a nice job within 8 miles of the house. What a blessing! I started back to school, I'm working on finishing my Associates Degree at Tarrant County College, where I started when the kids were young. I had completed 50 hours over the years taking classes part-time. I have a new understanding about my being "a work in progress". I'm nearly complete with my degree, I can see the light. The first semester back has gone well. I struggled with wants, desires, schedules and starting a new job, my long summer break sure came to a sudden end... So, my New Years goal is to learn how to balance life, school and work while finding time to enjoy this game called LIFE. With my finals behind me, I'm excited about the Holiday's fast approaching and my trip to California for New Years! I can't wait to see my dear old high school friends!

Tis the season for joy and peace, within ourselves and shared with loved ones. This is my favorite time of year! The wonderful seasonal smells and good cheer bring me internal joy and the happiness I want to feel all year long. I search all year for a new recipe to try during the holidays so I thought I'd share the Chai Tea Mix recipe with you that I found~ Dillard's teamed up with Southern Living's "Ultimate Christmas Cookbook" by Oxmoor House, proceeds benefiting the Ronald McDonald House.

Reading this cookbook brought back a childhood memory... I was maybe 10 years old, we were stationed in Omaha, Nebraska. During the winter a neighbor friends mother shared hot cocoa from scratch that she stored in a huge container and we could make it anytime we wanted a cup. I've treasured that recipe and memory all these years! I've gifted that same cocoa recipe over the years. Another hot drink mix recipe I treasure is my mom's Orange Spiced Tea, I've gifted that out as well. I guess you could say I'm a fan of sharing homemade holiday cheer & hot mix drinks for holiday gift ideas.

In years past I've made & gifted out everything from Spiced Reindeer Ornaments, Hot CoCoa Mix, Puppy Chow, Chex Mix, candy, bars, cookies, cakes, fudge, Nutter Butter Rudolf Cookies, ceramics, pillows, totes, bunnies, bears, baskets, you name it, I've shared it... I've repeated and shared my favorites and there are some years I don't remember what I made, I guess if I asked my friends and family they could fill in those "old age" memories lost!

Here's to warm belly's and Homemade Holiday Cheer!

Chai Tea Mix

2 1/2 teaspoons ground ginger

2 teaspoons ground cinnamon

3/4 teaspoon ground cloves

3/4 teaspoon ground cardamon (optional)

1 teaspoon ground allspice

1 teaspoon ground nutmeg

1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper

1 1/2 cups unsweetened instant tea or decaffeinated instant tea

1 1/2 to 2 cups of sugar

1 cup nonfat dry milk powder

1 cup powdered nondairy creamer

1 cup French vanilla-flavored powdered nondairy creamer

For optimal enjoyment of this trendy flavor-packed drink be sure to use fresh spices.

Combine spices and tea in a food processor or blender. Blend 1 to 2 minutes or until mixture becomes a fine powder. Pour into a large bowl. Add sugar to food processor or blender (without cleaning it), and process until superfine, about 30 seconds. Add sugar to bowl of spices. Stir in milk powder and creamers; blend well. Spoon mix into gift jars, if desired and label with "To Serve: stir 2 heaping tablespoons Chai Tea Mix into a mug of hot milk or boiling water". Yields: 5 1/2 cups mix.

Chocolate Chai Mix: Add 1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa along with dry milk powder to the blend above. (Milk is recommended with this mix)

Chai Shake: Blend 1/4 cup Chai Tea Mix, 1 cup milk, and 3 1/2 cups vanilla ice cream in a blender.

White Chocolate Chai: Add 1/4 cup finely chopped premium white chocolate (such as Lindt or Ghiradelli) to 1 cup of Chai Tea Mix. Stir well. Follow serving directions above with 2 heaping tablespoons per cup of hot milk or boiling water.

CHEERS!

Colleen