Ginger Cardamom Chai

I grew up drinking chai (spiced Indian tea with milk). It is made in similar fashion across a wide region from the middle east to the far east.

A pictorial flowchart to making chai. Image credits at the bottom page.

List of ingredients:

2 cups 1 cups	cold water whole milk OR.. Half cup half and half + water to make up.
2 table spoons	Loose black tea (Red Label or Taj Mahal) or some Darjeeling/Assam varieties
(OR 3 bags	(Sometimes I use Tetley black tea bags- Low mess option, slightly  weaker tea)
1 inch piece	fresh ginger (crushed in mortar and pestle or under a strong wrist)
2 teaspoons	black peppercorns
2 whole	cardamom pods (crushed in mortar pestle – or use a pinch cardamom powder in a rush)
2 TBSP (OR 5 teaspoons	Honey Sugar)

Steps:

In a quart pan, add cold waer, spices, ginger and tea leaves. Start heating the water to a boil.

As the water just starts boiling, add the milk. (I microwave the milk to warm to speed up if needed).

if using sugar, you can add sugar directly if everybody has same "sweet" needs.
if using honey or different sweet needs - do not add sweetener here.

*** As it starts to boil again, switch off. Perhaps even move from the heat. This is the step where it routinely spills over, especially if left unwatched or on those glass top/electric stoves. **

Strain through a mesh strainer into cups.

Add honey, stir and enjoy.


Image derived) from my personal pictures and users: wikimedia commons (tea leaves, glass of milk, glass of water), freshfoodinaflash.com (straining tea), http://bombayspiceabq.com (pepper)

Nutrition Info (Screenshot of my Recipe on MyFitness pal)

Rainy Day Pakora

It was a rainy day
So I made onion pakoras and cardamom Chai.

and shared it with a friend.
#happy #nostalgia

Chickpea snack at PSU cooking club

Description (Sundal - prounouced Soon-dull)

The item plan to do involves Chickpeas/garbanzo beans and cumin seeds OR mustard seeds, turmeric powder, a small amount of onions/tomatoes and oil. This is a protein rich snack that can be easily prepared using (canned) beans or by using presoaked and cooked beans if one goes the old fashioned way. The item can be enhanced in flavor by using parika or chili powder, unsweetened coconut flakes, mint or cilantro leaves.

- Nari

www.facebook.com/spicetruck

Items you need (with some cost basis for PA 16801 Wegmans).

Chai

Made chai with the option of milk given to participants.

Used 1 gallon of whole milk and 1/2 gallon of almond milk.

 $7 total

Tea and spices would cost about $5 max for about 6-8 people, but as numbers grow the price will reduce.

Sundal

Garbanzo bean cans - (Wegmans organic is at .99 for a 5.5 oz can) -

Used 6-7 cans for 20 people (ample), - about $7

 1/2 lb onions, 2/3 lb tomatoes - about $5 altogether

 ( and Mustard, Cumin seeds, Turmeric - I will bring my own but the cost will be about $5 total - estimate. )

This snack pairs well with either:

- Rice and sliced cucumber salad
or 

- Hot chai