Product Review: MOCAFE Precious Divinity Spiced Chai

I've had my fair share of steamy, creamy chai over the years. Loose blends, tea bags, liquids, homemade concoctions--you name it, I've tried it. While I've not yet had the pleasure strolling down a busy street in Mumbai to purchase an authentic cup of chai from a chai wallah, I am a self-professed chai aficionado so I know a good cup of chai when I drink one. :>)

I found MOCAFE Precious Divinity Spiced Chai Tea Mix while browsing the gourmet section of one of my favorite discount stores and it has quickly become my favorite instant hot drink mix!

The label boasts "a potent concoction of fragrant spices and rare estate grown tea"...I'll say! It's pre-sweetened, creamy (contains non-fat milk) and has the perfect amount of spice. Just add hot water to three tablespoons of the mix and you'll soon find yourself enveloped in a warm, comforting hug. Also available in decaf. My only gripe is that I would have liked a little less sweetness but hey it's chai--it's supposed to be sweet, right? Anyway, my son and I have been blown away by the convenience and creamy deliciousness of this drink. I am happy to give my latest find 5 hearts! ♥♥♥♥♥

MOCAFE makes a variety of delicious-looking drink mixes. Next, I'm trying the Mexican Spiced Ground Chocolate...YUM! You can find the chai and their other drink mixes here: MOCAFE™ Online Store

Pumpkin Ravioli w/Roasted Chicken in Matcha Cream Sauce

Last week I blogged about my foray into the world of Matcha green tea. I made an awesome Matcha green tea latte and promised I'd try to use this prized ingredient in a food recipe soon. The day (and the dish) has come.  I'm going to add this one to the "Quick Fix" category because the ravioli was store-bought and I cooked the chicken breast yesterday and the total prep time was under 20 minutes.

Pumpkin Ravioli w/Roasted Chicken in Matcha Cream Sauce

created with love by LBTurner

6 pumpkin ravioli

2 cups water

dash sea salt

1 5-6 oz. cooked chicken breast, sliced

1 tablespoon butter

1 teaspoon minced garlic

2 tablespoons white wine

1 teaspoon powdered Matcha green tea 

1 teaspoon potato starch

1/2 teaspoon garlic powder

1/4 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice

1 1/2 cups milk

2 tablespoons diced tomatoes 
2 tablespoons fresh basil, chopped

Sprinkle sea salt & black pepper

Sprinkle whole grated nutmeg

1. Add the 2 cups of water and a dash of sea salt to a medium saucepan and bring to a gentle boil. Add the ravioli and boil for 6-8 minutes.  Remove from water to drain excess water and set aside.

2. In a large skillet, melt the butter over medium heat.  Add the butter and the minced garlic and saute until slightly browned.  Once the garlic has browned, add the 2 tablespoons of white wine, stir and simmer for about 5 minutes.

3. In a medium mixing bowl, add the Matcha green tea, potato starch, garlic powder and pumpkin pie spice. Mix thoroughly.  

4. Heat the 1 1/2 cups of milk in a microwave or on top of the stove.  Slowly whisk all of the warmed milk into the green tea mixture--careful to dissolve all of the powders and any lumps.

5.  Slowly incorporate the green tea/milk mixture into the skillet with the sauteed garlic--whisking occasionally to prevent lumping.  Add 1 tablespoon of fresh basil and let simmer for 5 minutes.  

6. Add the sliced chicken breast and ravioli and stir gently.  Let simmer on low-medium heat for 8-10 minutes.  Garnish with the 2 tablespoons of diced tomatoes for added color and texture, 1 tablespoon fresh basil and a sprinkle of salt, pepper and grated nutmeg.

Notes: This recipe makes two servings. I used 2% milk and the potato starch as a thickener because I didn't have any heavy cream and it worked perfectly.  If you use heavy cream, you can use the same quantity as the 2% milk but omit the potato starch.  You may add any type of meat you desire (chicken, fish, shrimp, etc.) or leave it out altogether.  You may substitute the pumpkin ravioli for any type of pasta and the sea salt for table salt.

This dish pairs well with any semi-dry wine.  I chose a glass of chilled Frontera Chardonnay--a crisp, white semi-dry wine.

Matcha Green Tea Latte

Green tea contains powerful antioxidants.  According to research, its benefits include lowering cholesterol, weight loss, fighting cancer and heart disease much more.  It took a while for me to warm up to green tea because when I made it it always tasted bitter so I ended up adding a ton of sugar, thus negating the effectiveness of the brew, I'm sure.  I found out later that the tea should be prepared with hot but not boiling water and it made all the difference.

Matcha tea is reported to have even higher levels of antioxidant than green tea leaves so I decided to give it a try and now I'm hooked.  I've made matcha smoothies and lattes and I can't wait to try it in food recipes.  Here's my recipe for matcha latte:

Matcha Green Tea Latte

created with love by LBTurner

1 1/2 teaspoons powdered Matcha green tea

1 tablespoon powdered creamer

1/4 tsp cinnamon

2 tablespoons honey or sweeten to taste

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

2 1/2 cups hot water

Add the 2 1/2 cups of water to a pot and bring to a gentle boil.  Turn off the flame and set it aside.  Mix together the powdered green tea, creamer and cinnamon in a medium mixing bowl.  With a wire whisk or bamboo whisk (chasen), slowly whisk the water into the mixing bowl.  Add the honey or sweetener and vanilla extract and continue to whisk. Garnish with a sprinkle of cinnamon or a dollop of fresh whipped cream if desired.  Makes approximately 2 1/2 cups.

Substitutions:

Substitute the powdered creamer with soy or whey protein

Substitute the honey with agave nectar, brown sugar or other sweetener

Want more info on the health benefits of green tea?  Check out these websites:

Green Tea Benefits    The World's Healthiest Foods    WebMD

Buy Matcha green tea: DoMatcha Organic Matcha Green Tea, 1.06-Ounce Tin    SerendipiTea Matcha Culinary Grade, Organic Green Tea, 4-Ounce Box

MateVana: Tea-Licious!

Product Review: Teavana MateVana Herbal Tea

I stumbled upon MateVana a couple of years ago when I wandered into a Teavana store. I love herbal teas but had never tried a chocolate tea. I fell in love after the first cup.

This tea acts as a physical and mental stimulant as it contains some caffeine.  It doesn't make you jittery like most caffeinated beverages because it contains the natural chemicals theophylline and theobromine found in the mate (see full ingredient list below).  It is also a cardiovascular aid and appetite suppressant.

Ingredients: Roasted Mate leaves, cocoa kernels, rooibos tea, chocolate chips (sugar, cocoa mass, cocoa powder), flavoring, white cocoa butter splits (sugar, cocoa butter, dextrose), almonds, cactus blossoms, sunflower petals and cornflower petals.

When steeped in boiling water, the result is a deep amber color with full-bodied flavor.  I like to add cream (non-dairy, powdered creamer or real cream) and a teaspoon of German Rock Sugar for a creamy delicious treat.  It's the perfect alternative to coffee in the morning or anytime of day you need a gentle pick-me-up.  It's also great as a dessert coffee.  I'm giving this product 5 stars! *****