Chai Panna Cotta

The recipes for Chai vary widely all over India- the country of its origin.Now in the US Chai flavors are very popular with variations of cardamon, cinnamon, ginger, cloves, black pepper etc.

Now a days these Chai Latte mixes are readily available in the super markets where you can steep into water or milk directly and enjoy.While a Latte generally means a mixture of steamed milk and espresso, Chai Latte is made with tea powder in a similar fashion.

I had hosted a party at home after so many days.I wanted it to be different from the dinner parties we usually host, so I decided to do an Appetizers+Desserts+Drinks Party.

For appetizers I did a host of dishes like Hara Bhara kabab, Arancini, Tikka Chicken Wings, Pani Puri Shots etc, for desserts I did a combo of Chocolate Mousse, Lemon Mousse with blueberry compote and Chai Panna Cotta in a 2 oz shooters size.I felt this size of desserts was good in that everyone can taste each kind and yet not eat a ton of sugar.

Ive gotten a couple of requests for Chai Panna Cotta which Im sharing in this blogpost.

Preparation time	20 minutes, plus 4 hour setting time
Serves	4-6 larger portions, or 18 2 oz portions
Serving Size	One 2 oz shooter
Calories Per Serving	Approximately 98 per serving
Difficulty	Easy

Ingredients:

1  cup whole milk,

4 teaspoons plain gelatin powder(I used Knox)

2 1/2 cups heavy cream

3 Tablespoons Chai Latte Powder of your Choice( I used Mc Stevens Dulce De Leche Chai Latte)- See recipe for my homemade Chai masala instead.

½ cup  sugar

1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract(Optional)

Procedure:

1. Sprinkle Gelatin powder all over the milk in a small shallow bowl and allow gelatin to soften.
2. In a medium saucepan set over low heat, bring the heavy cream and sugar to a low boil, and add the Chai Latte Powder and mix until combined and simmer for about 5 minutes.
3. Remove cream mixture from heat and whisk in the vanilla and gelatin along with the milk until combined. Strain through a fine mesh sieve and transfer to your serving cups and refrigerate until set, at least 4 hours.

Tips:

You can serve this with a little whipped cream on top or some caramel sauce or chocolate sauce on top if you like.I sprinkled a few coffee flavored chocolate shavings on top.

If you do not like a lot of sweet, reduce the amount of sugar you add, sugar content in the mixes can vary by brand so first add the chai latte powder and then adjust your sugar content accordingly.

If you do not have access to the chai latte powder you can use your homemade masala chai mix as well.

When sprinkling the gelatin do not dump it in one place in the milk else it will not soften completely and get lumpy.

What is your favorite flavor combo with Chai ? Do let me know what you think.

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