I am coming at you with a nameless hot beverage, but what it lacks in title, it makes up for in flavor, comfort, and restorative powers.
Friends, I’d like you to meet my steaming cup of toasty, spicy, pecan milk.
I know, it sounds weird, but this just may become one of your most-used recipes if you will only give it a chance.
I wanted to create a drink for those of you who are caffeine-intolerant. More and more of my friends are joining the caffeine-free-squad and it can really narrow down the beverage options. Coffee is out. Most of my tea stock is eliminated. And even hot chocolate contains a bit of caffeine.
While we could turn to alternatives such as herbal tea and decaf coffees, I would like to suggest an entirely fresh substitution.
This milk has a few steps but is incredibly simple at its core. Once you get in the rhythm, this steamy cup will come together as quickly as your morning cup of coffee.
It begins with toasted pecans and steamed milk. Blended together, along with a tiny bit of sugar and simple spices, becomes thick and frothy.
Strain through the finest strainer you own, and pour the contents into your favorite mug. Grab a cinnamon roll and a good book, and you have won this winter thing.
Your body thanks you. Your caffeine-intolerant friends thank you. Practically, the whole world thanks you. And all you had to do was to pull out your blender.
Happy Wednesday.
Sincerely,
Pedantic Foodie
Steamy Spiced Pecan Milk
serves two
1 cup raw pecans
2 cups whole milk
1 tablespoon raw sugar
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Place the raw pecans in a small, nonstick frying pan and place over medium heat. Toast, shaking the pan often, until the pecans are toasted and fragrant.
Pour the milk into a 2-quart saucepan and place over medium high heat. Heat until steaming.
Cook’s Note: You could also heat the milk in your microwave if you do not feel like dirtying a pan!
Place the toasted pecans into your blender and cover with warm milk. Add in sugar, cinnamon, and vanilla extract. Blend on high speed until smooth.
Pour through a very fine mesh strainer and into two mugs. Serve immediately.
Enjoy!
WINTER SIPPIN’
“This is our place, we make the rules…”
Taylor is once again swirling through my brain on repeat and I am taking her lyric as my inspiration to rewrite the unwritten rules of hot chocolate consumption.