Ingredients
- 4 cup water
- 4 cup herbal or black decaffeinated vanilla-flavored tea bags, strings used for gripping removed
- 1/4 cup nonfat skim milk, or more if desired
- 2 cup vanilla beans, each split vertically, seeds removed, and both seeds and pods reserved
Preparation
Baking Directions:
Place the water in a medium saucepan, cover with its lid, and set over high heat on the stovetop.
Heat until the water comes to a rolling boil.
Turn off heat on the stovetop burner and remove the pot from it.
Quickly remove the lid, add the teabags to the hot water, stir to completely submerge them, and immediately recover.
Allow the teabags to steep, off the heat of the burner, for approximately 5-6 minutes, or until the water has develop a deep color.
If the lid is removed (do so only briefly), the aroma should be strong.
After the teabags have steeped, uncover the pot and remove them with a slotted spoon to prevent excessive brewing.
Discard.
Stir in the nonfat skim milk and both the seeds and pods of the vanilla beans.
Replace the pot on the stovetop burner, raise to medium heat, and bring the liquid inside to a boil.
Cook for 10 minutes.
Remove pot from heat and strain tea through a fine sieve into a heatproof bowl or container so as to capture the large vanilla bean pods.
Discard these pods.
Serve and enjoy!
Tips:
KewlTips: If desired, these Vanilla Bean Lattés can be served with a plethora of special treats or toppings to enhance the fun! Use a splash of all-natural honey, maple syrup, agave nectar, raw sugar, or another form of sweetener to bring out the natural flavors of vanilla.
Enrich the latté top to bottom by spooning a dollop of frothed, foamy milk onto the surface of the tea just before serving.
Float a tall cinnamon stick in the glass.
This multitasking garnish can handle two jobs at once - not only will it add a subtle, sweet flavor to your piping hot beverage, but it will also double as the perfect mixer to spin around the goodness!
