Years ago, a friend gave me a jar of Rooibos loose leaf tea to try.  She told me it is an non-caffeinated tea with health benefits aplenty.  I later read that Rooibos is high in antioxidants, helps lower high blood pressure, aids in cancer-prevention and digestion health, bone health and more.  Seems like I should be drinking this stuff like water!  Instead, it sat in my pantry untouched for months, or closer to a year.  When it comes to hot beveraging, I can't help but choose an Americano, a matcha latte or for so many years, my top choice was English Breakfast tea with a splash of milk (a reflection of my British-influenced Hong Kong ties). 

Tea in desserts, on the other hand, I dig!  A LOT.  Like these earl grey cookies or the earl grey ice cream I made for pear frangipane tart.  Heaven.  So it is no surprise this Rooibos Chai Panna Cotta Tart with Honeyed Strawberry Rhubarb Compote is totally my jam.  The only surprise is why I didn't think of it sooner.  Everyone I served it to thoroughly enjoyed it too!  Weeell if I'm being honest, everyone except my 4 year old who ate only the tart crust and "saved" the panna cotta part for her mama.  But I can't blame her for loving the crust - it's so dope.

The girls showered me with their praises when they tasted this loaf.  And since I thrive off flattery and compliments (heehee), I made a second loaf immediately for next morning's breakfast which was greeted with the same gleeful enthusiasm.  

Stroke stroke stroke.  My ego.  

Never you mind that the judging panel was comprised of a 6 year old and a 3 year old.  I decided I would definitely share this recipe on the blog with you so you too can have your ego stroked.  Or at the very least, have your breakfast sorted.

Being prescribed a grain-free diet by my daughter's naturopath just before the holidays is like getting sick right before vacation ... or scoring free drink tickets only to get bar rail liquor ... or finding a hole in your sock the moment you take off your shoes at someone's house ... or dripping yellow mustard on your brand new sneakers (that stuff's like dye and never completely comes off!) ... or getting an unexpected visit from Auntie Flo when you're totally unprepared OK THAT IS GOING TOO FAR.