Faux café au lait (AIP-Friendly)

Sigh...I miss coffee. Prior to AIP, a little weekend pleasure of mine was to have a café au lait with breakfast. This drink does not have café or lait, but it is yummy and a nice change from my usual AIP breakfast beverage. My recipe uses some fancy equipment: a metal café milk pitcher and a milk steamer/frother. If you don't have these extras in your kitchen, never fear! Instead, you can heat the milk on the stove and whip it. This makes 1 large mug or French breakfast bol.

Ingredients
1 T chicory root (it looks like tea or coffee grounds)
1/4 c cold coconut milk
1 t vanilla extract (optional)
1 t grade B maple syrup (optional)

Directions

1. Brew chicory root as you would brew coffee or loose leaf tea. I used a ratio of 1 T chicory root to 1 c water. Let steep for 3-5 minutes, or longer if you want a strong chicory taste. I used a French press, but a loose leaf tea container or a drip coffee maker should work too. 
2. Pour the cold coconut milk into a small, deep container, such as a metal pitcher. If you are using the optional vanilla extract and/or maple syrup, now is the time to add it to the coconut milk.
3. When the chicory is ready, fill a large mug of bol half way.
4. Using a milk steamer or frother, steam the milk until it's warm and delightfully frothy.
5. Add to your chicory--trying to create a fancy design on top is optional. :)

Did you know that chicory can boost your health? It is anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antibacterial, and antifungal. Plus it supports digestion, metabolism, immunity, and it helps to draw toxins out of your body. Drink up!