Dessert/ Puddings & Custards/ Recipes

Chai-Vanilla Bean Pots de Creme

Morning!

I’m so excited to share this recipe with you guys this morning. But first, I have to say something. Sort of like ” ps” from my post yesterday. And that is thank you. Thank you for giving me space last week when I needed some and thank you for letting me be honest with where I’m at. I can’t believe I’ve been doing this blog thing for almost six years now! How weird. I think what I really want {and what I might have lost} is intentionality. This is a food blog, sure, but there’s also a “live” in Eat, Live, Run and I want to be able to share those moments and posts with you guys as well as all the recipe goodness. Somewhere along the line I got through my head that is has to be either or. It has to be food OR life. Never both. But then I realized, why can’t it be both? Who makes that rule? This is a blog, after-all, and y’all? I have things to say. Life posts might include elements of my faith. They might include trips I take. Makeup I like. Books I read. Charities I support. All the things. I hope that’s okay.

Now that I got that off my chest let’s talk about dessert!

I developed this recipe for my good friends over at Fair Trade USA. I just love those folks. Not only did they graciously let me into their offices last week to hold a Noonday trunk show, but then after the party I got to go home and work on some delicious desserts for them. I love my job.

Fair trade is something I am incredibly passionate about, and also something I really didn’t know too incredibly much about until last year. I mean, sure, I saw the fair trade stamp on some coffees at Whole Foods, but did I really understand what it meant? No. Like I said yesterday, I used to live in a bubble. But now I do get it and try to buy fair trade as much as possible. It’s so important, guys. When you purchase fair trade items, you really are helping to make a difference in the lives of people all over the world. Maybe it seems small, but I believe your one purchase DOES matter and every time we shop we have a choice as consumers. A choice to build people up or tear people down. I think the choice here is obvious.

I used Organic Rishi Masala Chai tea in this recipe. It’s absolutely delicious. Super warming and slightly spicy. I brewed the loose tea in the heavy cream with the seeds of a plump vanilla bean to make an absolutely delicious chai tea pot de creme base.

Seriously? I wanted to drink this stuff with a straw. It was that good. After blending with some egg yolks, you just pour it into little ramekins in a water bath and bake at a low temp for about 45 minutes. Pot de creme is like creme brulee without the crunchy sugary topping.

They turned out fabulously. Silky smooth Chai flavored pudding with vanilla bean galore. I couldn’t stop eating them so I took them to a friend’s house to share…because good things are meant for sharing, right?

Despite how “fancy” these may sound, they really are quite to simple to make. They’re great because you can make them a day or two in advance and just store ’em in the fridge for dessert.

Chai-Vanilla Bean Pots de Crème

 Serves 4

Print this Recipe!

Ingredients:

 2 cups heavy whipping cream

1 vanilla bean, scraped of seeds

 1 heaping tbsp loose Fair Trade Rishi Chai tea

 ½ cup Fair Trade organic cane sugar

 ¼ tsp ground cinnamon

 6 egg yolks

Directions:

 Preheat your oven to 300 degrees.

Fill a 9 x 13” glass baking dish with one inch of water. Place four ramekins in the water in the dish. Lightly mist with nonstick cooking spray and set aside.

In a medium sized saucepan, combine the heavy cream, vanilla bean seeds and loose Chai tea. Stir well. Add the sugar then do not stir so that the sugar coats the bottom of the pot.

Heat the mixture until small bubbles form all around the sides of the pot. When that happens, immediately remove from heat, stir well (so now the sugar should dissolve) and place a lid on the pot. Let steep for 20 minutes.

While that’s steeping, place your egg yolks in a large bowl. After 20 minutes, strain the cream through a sifter (or cheesecloth). Whisk in the ground cinnamon, stiring well so no clumps remain. Slowly pour the cream mixture into the egg yolks while whisking.

Pour the mixture into the prepared ramekins and bake for about 45 minutes, or until set but still soft in the center.

Let cool then serve. You can also refrigerate these for up to two days prior to serving.

Time:

active time — 45 minutes

total time — 4 hours (includes time to chill)

 

 

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  • Averie @ Averie Cooks
    April 29, 2013 at 2:23 am

    Jenna this sounds awesome! I could see how you’d want to drink it with a straw! The tea, the cream, the vanilla bean, mmmm, so good! I would have had a hard time actually pouring it into the ramekins and baking rather than finding that straw.

    And thanks for sharing all that you do on your blog…6 years later, and still going strong!

  • Jess
    April 29, 2013 at 2:53 am

    I love chai, Jenna – it goes so well with milky, creamy things, so I can totally imgine how fantastic it is in these pots de creme. That contrast of creamy with a crunchy top gets me every time.

    I’m so glad you share the “live” in your blog. Things (and people) evolve and it’s been so nice to see how you have reflected that honestly in your writing and through this space.

  • Becks
    April 29, 2013 at 4:03 am

    Hi Jenna,

    I’m a blog newbie and when I was thinking about what to post the other day, my boyfriend told me, “write what’s on your heart.” It was a reminder to me that a blog doesn’t have to be 100% “on” every day – if there is something that God is putting on your heart to write about, write it! It helped me, and I hope it helps you, too. I’ve been reading your blog for years, and I feel pretty confident when I say that the readers who matter won’t go away just because your content isn’t always the same. Good luck, and God Bless!

  • Joy
    April 29, 2013 at 4:34 am

    I like the live part of blogs best!

  • Shaina
    April 29, 2013 at 4:37 am

    Jenna-
    I love your blog and all of the different elements you have been adding as of late. Keep it up! It really helps us to see who you are.

    And, these look AMAZING!! 🙂 I will be making them very soon.

  • Angela @ Eat Spin Run Repeat
    April 29, 2013 at 4:53 am

    Oh my gosh, these sound amazingly creamy! I love Rishi tea and well, you can NEVER have too much vanilla! Regarding yesterday’s post and your comment about living, I couldn’t agree more. Sometimes I feel that my blog is my life (something that non-bloggers probably wouldn’t understand) so once in a while it’s good to get a good reality check. Blog AND live, don’t live to blog, right? Thanks Jenna! 🙂

  • Suzanne de Cornelia
    April 29, 2013 at 5:06 am

    Yum…anything with Vanilla is a mighty good thing.

    You are the result of 1 in 400 trillion odds of being born…so yeah, it’s your blog and your life.

    The current corporatizing of one’s life, i.e. ‘brand’ I’m so not doing that. 😉

  • Jill
    April 29, 2013 at 5:11 am

    I love all your recipes but, to be honest, I enjoy the posts about life way more. I think you are quite an inspiration for young girls and have lived your life in such a lovely way. I love to read about all your doings because it gives me the opportunity to escape from your own life for a moment and enter into this picture you create. Thanks for being an outlet and an example =)

  • Molly @ RDexposed
    April 29, 2013 at 5:13 am

    I love pot de crème!
    Also, I don’t think you ever need to explain yourself. 🙂

  • Tieghan
    April 29, 2013 at 5:17 am

    Six year is so crazy!! WOW!

    This looks so yummy! I would totally drink it with a straw!

  • Amy Walters, aDESIGNdock
    April 29, 2013 at 5:28 am

    Yes! Of course that’s ok, Jenna! I love when blogs mash-up everything the blogger is passionate about…it’s always so inspiring to me. Cheers!

  • Karen
    April 29, 2013 at 5:29 am

    Speaking of “living” – I’m curious re. what is happening on the yoga/yogi front…has that passion moved to the back burner with all the crazy-busyness of wedding planning and your newfound pursuits? Just wondering…

    p.s. Bravo for your candor in these past two entries; addressing the criticism (mine included) in an authentic, direct way is so much more satisfying and inspires respect! Rock on, Jenna:)

  • Elisabeth
    April 29, 2013 at 5:51 am

    I love that you post about everything! That’s why your blog is one of my couple of favorites (along with Daily Garnish 😉 ). Keep on posting whatever you want to share with us!

  • Dana
    April 29, 2013 at 5:56 am

    These sound Delish! I love the flavors of vanilla and chai together !
    Thanks for sharing all that you have and just keep doing your thing girl!

  • Brittany from CountingMyCupcakes
    April 29, 2013 at 6:16 am

    I love your honesty and look up to you as a fellow food blogger. I occasionally question myself when I talk more about life and my beliefs than food on my blog, but you’re right – why can’t it be both? It’s my blog and if I’m passionate about something (other than just food!), I want to talk about it!

  • Sarah @ Yogi in Action
    April 29, 2013 at 6:21 am

    I am so excited you will be bringing back the “living” aspect into your blog. My favourite posts are always the ones where you share what’s happening in your life.

    I’m definitely with you about buying fair trade- it drives my boyfriend crazy sometimes as when we’re at the grocery store, we can’t just grab the first thing we see and leave. But I think ultimately it’s way more important.

    I will be making this recipe ASAP- as I love all the ingredients you listed! Sounds delicious!!

  • Cati
    April 29, 2013 at 6:27 am

    those look amazing, also I love your “life” posts!

  • Bev @ Bev Cooks
    April 29, 2013 at 6:30 am

    OMG. Yumz.

  • joelle (on a pink typewriter)
    April 29, 2013 at 6:45 am

    Mmm chai. Loves.

  • Jenn
    April 29, 2013 at 6:45 am

    Your blog is my favorite! I love your recipes and I love your Christian inspiration. We all need to encourage one another and reading your blog is very refreshing! Thank you for all you do 🙂

  • erin @hooleywithaz
    April 29, 2013 at 6:49 am

    delish! i’m so glad to see more fair-trade options readily accessible to the market now.

  • Sarah @ Making Thyme for Health
    April 29, 2013 at 6:52 am

    These sounds o yummy and unique. And I agree that supporting fair trade is very important. I spend way too much at Whole Foods every week because I love that they support so many honest and sustainable practices for food.

  • Emily
    April 29, 2013 at 7:00 am

    SO excited for more of the “live” part of things! You’re doing great! You are in an amazing transitional season of life, and it is a honor to be a part of it.

  • blueberryhil
    April 29, 2013 at 7:17 am

    I would love to see more posts about Fair Trade. Its something that I wish I understood more thoroughly. I understand the basic concept, but I wish I had a better grasp of what exactly those little stamps mean, which products I should be keeping an eye out for fair trade stamps on etc.

  • Ksenija @ Health Ninja
    April 29, 2013 at 7:22 am

    I am so happy about the new (old) direction of the blog! Cannot wait to read more about your commitment to fair trade – especially since fair trade and sustainable living grew quite close to my heart in course of the last year. As soon as the step is made, it is unbelievable how blindfolded we’ve been all the time before… and how easy it is to forget how inhumane the conditions of production behind something as common as a chocolate bar are.

  • gwen
    April 29, 2013 at 7:33 am

    I’m excited to see more of your “life” posts! Of course, I’m still looking forward to recipes, too. 😉

    Figuring out how to glorify the Lord in our day-to-day, whether we work in an office or in our own homes developing recipes and writing a blog, is so tricky, but hopefully we can all learn from one another!

  • Krista
    April 29, 2013 at 7:58 am

    I hope you never stop changing- that’s what life is all about. We can never control the direction of the wind – instead, we adjust our sails and ride gracefully toward our life’s new journey. Please keep blogging and posting about YOU – that’s why we’re here. Of course, I love the recipes and try almost everything you post — but I also love the life, love and faith posts too. Please keep them coming.

  • Heather Kneisler
    April 29, 2013 at 8:20 am

    Love the changes you are making, Jenna! And love these Pots de Crème. Can’t wait to try it!

  • Jane @ Not Plain So Jane
    April 29, 2013 at 8:24 am

    That tea sounds like it would make a good Chai Tea Latte too! I sometimes prefer my dessert drinkable!

  • Brianna
    April 29, 2013 at 8:25 am

    I totally agree. The fun gets totally sucked out of blogging if you feel restrained from what to write and not write. This is your blog! People stop by to see what YOU are making. It helps to know who YOU are. 🙂 Great recipe by the way!

  • Mr. & Mrs. P
    April 29, 2013 at 8:27 am

    Pots de creme are so rich and creamy.. Love the addition of the chai!! they must be phenomenal!

  • dixya@food, pleasure, and health
    April 29, 2013 at 8:27 am

    this looks delicious..love anything Chai flavor. I am so happy are in your happy space and the blog is not only a space to share recipes but to connect with people all over too with your life 🙂 I really enjoy that aspect of blogging although I have only started blogging last year seriously.

  • Michelle
    April 29, 2013 at 9:01 am

    Jenna,

    I am so glad that you want to intentionally share more of yourself. I love your recipes and I love hearing about you. What has kept me reading for three years is you, your heart, and your growth. Thank you, Michelle

  • Caroline L.
    April 29, 2013 at 9:06 am

    I’ll admit that of course the food is the reason I found your blog (and is a huge reason why I’m such a big fan of Eat, Live, Run), but the reason I stay is because of your genuine voice and the personality behind the blog! I love reading about your life – what you’re up to, the things you’re using, your travels… because it makes you seem more like a girlfriend than a stranger who comes up with yummy food! So, keep on keepin’ on girl!

  • Em (Wine and Butter)
    April 29, 2013 at 9:26 am

    I always love your blog – always always always! :).

    Also made the jerk chicken drumsticks the other day to great effect! BRavo for following your heart and for realising a life determined by trying to help others – as opposed to trying to impress them – is totally where its at.

  • Bridget
    April 29, 2013 at 9:28 am

    I just have to say, not only do I love your food/photography, but I’m excited that you’ll be using this space in a (more so) personal level. I am still trying to find my groove in this blogging thing myself, but I think it’s cool that that can always grow, as we do. So, I can’t wait to hear more about your passions, outside of food! And, happy wedding planning, only a few weeks to go!

    Bridgi
    yodgi.com

  • Angela
    April 29, 2013 at 9:44 am

    Jenna, I’ve been reading for quite sometime on and off, and I must say I took a hiatus from reading for a while (mostly because I read from an iPhone and I don’t like to click the click here to read more) but I have found myself returning daily lately and I enjoy your variety and I don’t think you should apologize or really explain your change, I enjoy that you hold conversations and thank your readers frequently. I’m also not a huge ‘faith’ person, I have my own beliefs and get a little squirmy when people talk about it, but I can appreciate that this is your blog and I don’t feel like you preach to me or your readers in general.
    Also there must be something going on in the blogosphere bc a lot of my daily reading bloggers are taking a break or changing direction– I appreciate change but I do miss the voice of these bloggers.
    Good luck with wedding plans and I can’t wait to read about your big day!

  • Ja @Ja on the RUN
    April 29, 2013 at 10:31 am

    Yum!!!! Will try this!!! 🙂 I’m a fond of anything vanilla. 🙂

  • Katrina @ Warm Vanilla Sugar
    April 29, 2013 at 10:38 am

    Mmm these look awesome!

  • jen
    April 29, 2013 at 11:11 am

    YES, please give me more about your life! I started reading probably five years ago, and was a big fan. Although I still check in, and do enjoy seeing pictures of food and reading recipes, I so, so miss reading about your life. That’s what I loved about all the blogs back then! Everyone talked about their lives. Their pets, their family, their thoughts, their worries, etc. Now so many bloggers seem to be these glossy, commercial machines with perfect photography and very little personality. I’ll admit, we have different political and religious views, but I want to hear about what you’re thinking, you know? Not just about what you made for dinner last night.

    So, yay for more life stuff! Also, I want you to know you were in my thoughts last week, I know it was probably a tough one for you.

  • Brianne
    April 29, 2013 at 12:22 pm

    Honestly, I think the “live” in eat, live, run makes me enjoy your blog even more. It offers something that other food blogs do not. I like how I get to learn about something new from you whether it be faith, books, jewelry, etc. Keep it up….I love it all!

  • Brooke
    April 29, 2013 at 1:03 pm

    Jenna, I just wanted to say (again and again) that I love your blog. I’ve been following it for over 5 years now and continue to find it a source of information and inspiration daily. Your honesty and desire to move forward with whatever intention is truest to you is honorable. I love hearing all about recipes, but I also feel like sometimes life has a thing or two to say as well.

    Thank you for being such a source of inspiration. You are truly awesome.

  • Kristin
    April 29, 2013 at 1:11 pm

    These look AMAZING! Making them this weekend for sure!

  • Amy
    April 29, 2013 at 1:34 pm

    Oh goodness. My mom drinks a chai latte every single day (sometimes two), and this sounds like her morning wake-me-up but in dessert form! All 4 of these wouldn’t last a day or two in her fridge. Maybe an hour or two! Very deadly Jenna… ;] But absolutely delicious!

  • steph@stephsbitebybite
    April 29, 2013 at 3:01 pm

    These are heavenly!

  • Emily @ Life on Food
    April 29, 2013 at 3:06 pm

    Lovely dessert! And I love hearing about your life along with the food. Continue. Please.

  • Lisa
    April 29, 2013 at 3:11 pm

    I love everything about your blog!

  • Laurel
    April 29, 2013 at 3:31 pm

    This would translate nicely over to a dessert form of my latest of obsession of drinking chai lattes. 🙂

    Living (and writing) intentionally. Love it!

  • Mo
    April 29, 2013 at 4:05 pm

    I love that you share your life! My favorite part of the blog isn’t actually the cooking (although that’s a plus, I just never have the time or money to cook anything with more than two ingredients)…it’s you! Love where you are headed 🙂

  • Malkire
    April 29, 2013 at 4:32 pm

    oh my goodness. This looks so delicious! My favorite dessert is creme brulee this looks like a close cousin!

  • Laura
    April 29, 2013 at 4:39 pm

    You could also get fairtrade vanilla and cinnamon to use in the pots de creme! I’ve been buying fairtrade bananas, coffee, chocolate, peppercorns and the like for many a year- the movement has been so successful in the U.K that 2 regular supermarket chains have switched over most of their own branded products to fairtrade ones!

  • vanillasugarblog
    April 29, 2013 at 4:46 pm

    I don’t like to drink chai but I adore it in foods.
    Oh this is just heavenly.

  • Monica
    April 29, 2013 at 5:19 pm

    love this post. I’ve been reading your blogs for years and have always loved following you! The “live” posts are some of my very favorites 🙂

  • Laura
    April 29, 2013 at 5:44 pm

    Jenna, you’re awesome. It’s YOUR blog. Enough said! We love your food, your thoughts, your captured moments in general. Carry on! 🙂

  • Deb @ Dietitian Debbie Dishes
    April 29, 2013 at 6:40 pm

    This recipe sounds divine! I love that you have been sharing glimpses of your life in addition to your amazing recipes. 🙂

  • M
    April 29, 2013 at 6:59 pm

    Saw this this morning, picked up heavy cream at the store today, made them just now. Got 6 servings from the recipe (my ramekins are sort of small, though). I couldn’t wait for them to cool, so I put one in an ice bath so I could try it quickly. Wasn’t quite cooled, but still tasted divine! Can’t wait to eat the other ones properly 🙂 Thank you so much!

  • Jill G
    April 29, 2013 at 7:27 pm

    Is there any way you could add in some cocoa? They sounds great to me as is, but I have friends who prefer chocolate desserts.

  • GeezLouise!
    April 29, 2013 at 9:23 pm

    So lovely to meet you at potluck, beautiful site ~ I would love to read your book. We both attended the same school. Blessings, Louise

  • jenna k
    April 29, 2013 at 10:34 pm

    yumm, this looks great! i can pretty much taste the beautiful creaminess already.

    i loved how you said that “live” is part of your blog name, because it really made me think back to when your blog was much more recaps of your day than 100% food posts. i love how you’re allowing yourself to change and change back and then change some more. isn’t that what your 20s are about? (that’s what i’ve been telling myself, anyway! 🙂 )

  • Kristin
    April 29, 2013 at 11:10 pm

    Creme brulee is one of my favorite desserts! I can’t wait to try out this recipe!

  • Rachel Cooks
    April 30, 2013 at 4:16 am

    These look beyond awesome!

  • Shannon
    April 30, 2013 at 12:33 pm

    I love chai! It was my first tea “love”

    and I love your P.S. – the mix of life and food on your blog is what makes it great!

  • Laurie {SimplyScratch}
    May 1, 2013 at 7:09 am

    Sing it girl!

    Now about these pots de creme… AMAZING!!

  • Madison @ E&C
    May 1, 2013 at 10:59 am

    I think that is great, Jenna! Honestly, your recipes are wonderful but my favorite posts that you share are the ones that are just about you, your experiences and thoughts, your faith, etc. Excited to see more of those types of posts coming soon!

  • Juliana
    May 1, 2013 at 5:01 pm

    Chai means tea in Hindi.

  • Becky
    May 2, 2013 at 8:56 pm

    These look so good!! I can’t wait to try them :)) thanks for sharing!

  • Stephanie @ Eat. Drink. Love.
    May 2, 2013 at 11:23 pm

    These look so good! I just love chai anything!

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  • Erin Young
    May 13, 2013 at 3:15 am

    Just wanted you to know that I made these for my mother in law yesterday– her favorite dessert is creme brulle, and I couldn’t find a blowtorch so I made these instead. They were a huge hit! Rich, creamy, and decadent. Thank you so much for sharing it (my in-laws thank you too!)

  • Vanessa
    October 4, 2013 at 9:18 pm

    Looks delicious! Can’t wait to try this out 😉

    http://cafecraftea.blogspot.com/

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