Chocolate Chai

For the past week, I've been trekking through the muddy climes of the English coast with a hundred children in tow. Sometimes being a teacher feels like a ratio between being part drill sergeant, part parent and part educator. The past few days at work have very much been a test on the nerves as well as the appetite- I can confirm that canteen lunches are still as bland as ever! As much as I love potato wedges and ketchup, I missed my home comforts something terrible. Today's recipe is a twist on a winter warmer: chocolate chai is a luxurious drink spiced with bay leaf, nutmeg and of course, piles of quality chocolate!

Servings: 4-5 cups
Prep+cooking time: 15 mins

Ingredients (makes 4-5 cups)

• 2 cups full fat milk
• 1 bay leaf
• 1 cup water
• 2 black tea bags (English breakfast tea will work fine)
• 4-5 tbsp caster sugar
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1 small cinnamon stick
• 1 tsp ground nutmeg
• 3-4 whole cardamom pods, crushed
• 3-4 cloves
• 50 g quality dark chocolate
• pinch of salt

Instructions
1) Bring water to a boil in a saucepan before adding your spices and tea bags. Cover the saucepan and brew for at least 5 minutes.

2)  Break the chocolate bar into small pieces and add to the brew before pouring in your milk a little at a time. Stir in the sugar, a tiny pinch of salt and vanilla extract. Lower the heat and stir occasionally for another 5 minutes. Do not bring the chai to a boil as you can spoil the milk.

3) Strain the chai if you prefer, I like to keep whole spices in the brew. Pour into warm cups or metal cuttings for a truly authentic desi chai experience!