Friday, May 21, 2010

Po Cha and Clues to Our Destination



From the kitchen of One Perfect Bite...The suspense is over. Our holiday plans have been finalized. Selection of a location was really difficult this year. Bob and I had different adventures in mind and the final decision was made in the only fair way possible. We quite literally pulled a photo from a stack spread like playing cards of the table. There was a randomness to it that made the whole thing seem more fair than might otherwise have been the case. I'm happy to report we are both happy with the decision the gods of chance made on our behalf. It will be an adventure and I'll be counting the days until it actually begins. October is a ways off but that gives us time to get visas and study more about the places we'll be visiting. I'm going to keep you in the dark for a while longer. I've put together some photos of people and places we'll be visiting to see if you can identify the three countries we'll be touring. I'm also including one recipe associated with the most remote of the places on our itinerary. We have promised the children, who don't like the words trek or safari used in the same breath as their parent's names, that this is absolutely, positively our last visit to remote locales with sometimes fragile political systems. They are dubious. Seems I said that last year as well. I really meant it, but the back and legs and brain have held up well and this seems like the right thing for us to do. At any rate, here is the recipe for a drink that really should be made with yak milk and butter. I must say it is a real challenge to the palate even when made with cows milk and butter from a local creamery. I don't always do well with foods that fall into the acquired taste category. It took me years to enjoy a martini. I comfort myself with the knowledge I tried it, and who knows, it may taste better in country. Here's the scoop for other brave and kindred souls.

Po Cha......from the kitchen of One Perfect Bite

Ingredients:
5 -6 cups water
3 black tea bags or 2 tablespoons loose black tea
1/4 teaspoon salt
2 tablespoons butter
1/2 cup milk, half-and-half or 1 teaspoon milk powder

Directions:
1) Bring five to six cups of water to a boil. Reduce heat. Add tea bags or loose tea and simmer for several minutes more. Remove tea bags or strain loose tea.
2) Pour steeped tea, salt, butter and milk or milk powder into a blender or chandong, a type of churn. You can also shake the tea in a thermos bottle. Churn, blend or shake the mixture for 3 to 5 minutes. Our into cuos and serve piping hot: Yield: 4 servings.

















You might also enjoy these recipes:
Ginger Tea - One Perfect Bite
Blueberry Tea - One Perfect Bite
Himalayan Salted Butter Tea - Not Quite Nigella
Yak Butter Tea - The Greedy Glutton

This recipe is being linked to:
Designs By Gollum - Foodie Friday

67 comments :

susan said...

Mary- I know life with you (or as your child :) is never boring! I say "good for you"! I can't wait for details! Oh my goodness--yak milk :)

Allie and Pattie said...

Oh, Mary!!! How blessed you are to be able to take this trip!! Are we allowed to guess?? Can I venture Tibet?? Oh, I am SO envious !! Enjoy the planning!
xoxo Pattie

Jeannie said...

Looks like a Tibet destination to me:) I would love to visit when I have a chance.

~ Janie ~ said...

Enjoy Nepal! ~Jane~

Mary Bergfeld said...

Everyone is a bit correct. Remember there are 3 countries that we'll be visiting.

momgateway said...

How exciting....I have some Nepali friends and they are so sweet...can't wait to hear about your adventure to three countries, I assume they must be in Asia...but who knows... would certainly love to hear about your trip

Yvonne @ StoneGable said...

Mary you have an adventurous soul! I think I know where you are going! Good for you! I hope you will bring us some good recipes and pictures.
Yvonne

PranisKitchen said...

while reading i was so curious to know the place searched the recipe orgin..i got it u r going to tibet.
the tea looks delicious.

Tuty @ScentofSpice said...

Mary,
Is Bhutan in the mix?
Have a fantastic trip and we can't wait to see the fab pictures.

God bless both of you and keep you safe.

Valerie Harrison (bellini) said...

You keep is guessing Mary. What an exciting adventure this will be!!!

Decor To Adore said...

I adore the children.

I hope you'll stop by my blog. I am hosting a giveaway for a darling French tote.

Chef E said...

What a great post Mary! I cannot wait to read more and more of your work. You inspire me! and what great things you will share with us...

Jaynie said...

Looks like Tibet may be one of the countries. What could the other 2 be, Nepal, Bhutan, India? Which ever they may be it sounds like a wonderful trip.

Alice Law said...

Ohh... interesting! I would like to get a taste of it!;)

Happy weekend!

Joanne said...

I love how crazy adventurous you are! If my mom ever said she was going on a safari or a trek, I would probably send her straight to the hospital...because she would be hallucinating.

Unknown said...

ENJOY!!! Mary and I can't wait to here all the details.
Geri

Joe Ambrosino said...

Never listen to your kids, Mary. I would guess Vietnam, Thailand and Nepal. (That's where I would like to go, anyway)

Mary Bergfeld said...

Joe, we've been to Vietnam and Thailand and wish that everyone could visit these two countries on the verge of becoming. The people are wonderful.

Selba said...

Po Cha is the Tibetan drink :)

Oh my.. Tibet is one of the destination that I would love love love to visit!!!

My Little Space said...

Oh, are you going to visit Tibet? Tibet is a very beautiful and religious place. & Nepal & Mongolia!
Cheers, Kristy

Rue said...

Woo hoo! I love your sense of adventure! Can't wait to hear about the trip and your plans.

I'm not sure I could drink this...but I can find my way through a martini no problem (a vodka martini - not gin!)

Diane said...

Everyone else has done the guessing for me. I have only got as far as Singapore and Hong Kong in that direction so I am looking forward to seeing some photos when you return. The best holiday though we had I think was Phuket, so relaxing and wonderful food. Diane

chamki said...

Hi Mary, i think the three countries are Tibet, Nepal and India.
Ciao!

Unknown said...

really cool post lovely food

Bits said...

This is lovely Mary! and healthy too!

giorno26 ¸¸.•*¨*•. said...

Oh Mary,
i bimbi sono semplicemente deliziosi :-)
La tigre fantastica nel suo sguardo indagatore !!!
Buona giornata;-)

Deb in Hawaii said...

Sounds like you have quite the trip planned and that is quite the rich and unique drink too. ;-)

Have a wonderful weekend!

Unknown said...

How lovely Mary. I'm thinking Nepal, India and Mongolia. Whichever the countries will be, I'm sure the trip will be amazing. Have a great day.
Michael

Sushma Mallya said...

tibet is such a beautiful place,am sure u ll enjoy a lot...have a wonderful weekend mary & take care

Zurin said...

What an adventure you are going to have Mary...HAve a fantastic trip nad come back with lots of fotos to share ! :)

Sonia ~ Nasi Lemak Lover said...

Glad to know that you will have vacation soon, I have also bought air tickets to Goldcoast Australia in Sept, can wait to enjoy the lovely beach there. Looking forward for more update on your trip. This Po Cha sound healthy and good!

Salsa Verde said...

When I was reading your text, was was guessing Tibet, and now, I can realise, that I'm not the only one...
Well, let's wait till you tell us more...
I loved the recipe and the lovely photos of your post.
XXX
Lia.

Deana Sidney said...

Sounds like a dream vacation... can't wait to hear more!!

Magdalena said...

Very nice post, Mary, but this is something that probably would be difficult to swallow for me....:) Unfortunately. Anyway, kind regards.

Big Dude said...

I hope it's Tibet and Nepal as I've always wanted to visit both and you can inspire me.

bj said...

YAK MILK !!?!! O dear!!

The time to go will be here before you know it.
Can't wait to hear all aabout it..
xo bj

Angie's Recipes said...

You have an adventurous and interesting life! I really enjoy this post! Nepal, Tibet, or (India?)...I wish you lots of fun!

From the Kitchen said...

I know you aren't headed to "Mitford"!! I'm in on the "Tibet" but not quite sure of the other two. Anxiously awaiting other "clues".

Best,
Bonnie

Patricia @ ButterYum said...

Hi Mary - You certainly are well traveled, aren't you?

Hey, I've got a quart of yak's milk in the fridge, and know know exactly what I'm going to do with it now - just kidding.

Have a great weekend!

:)
ButterYum

Kim said...

Mary-It sounds like you and your husband are headed for a wonderful adventure. What a delight to visit that corner of the world! Can't wait to hear all about it.

Rachana said...

How exciting!! I love this post!

Tibet, Nepal and India Can't wait to see the beautiful pics, Mary :)

Have a fantastic trip!

Lucie said...

This looks like a great trek that's going to take you through Nepal, how exciting!! As for the Po Cha--you hit the spot for me. I love trying new tea-related drinks (well, new for me!) and this seems like a challenge for the palate with the butter!

Lorraine @ Not Quite Nigella said...

Have fun-what an amazing holiday! And thanks for the shoutout too Mary! :)

Claudia said...

I will throw my hat in with Tibet and then do not know. Maybe the Nepal folks are onto something. Oh grand - yak milk! What a fun post!

Mary Bergfeld said...

We so far have three gals who have correctly identified the countries.

A Canadian Foodie said...

I am so thrilled to be travelling with you!!!! (and when you return... that subscribe by e-mail plug in will be wonderful!)
Gorgeous photos and great thoughts. I cannot imagine... but hope to experience it all one day,though all of our travelling is now in Europe as long as Vanja's parents are alive.
So, am not wishing to go any time, soon! Unless I win the lottery and no longer need to work!
:)
Valerie

Biren said...

Has to be Tibet or Mongolia. You are so adventurous!

The Fajdich Times said...

I can't wait to hear all about your trip. How exciting:)

♥ Kathy said...

I can't wait to read all about it!!

Wandering Chopsticks said...

Have a fun and safe trip! The first time I tried Tibetan butter tea, I felt like I was drinking soup. The butter I think I could have handled, but it was the salt that completely did me in. I kept telling my friend if we were hardy yak herders in the Himalayans, that boost of salt and fat might be tasty. So you'll have to tell me if it makes a difference when you're far up in the mountains.

My guess is you're hitting up the Himalayan triumvirate of Tibet, Nepal, and Bhutan.

Bossy Chef said...

Nepal, Tibet, and India... I think Nepal and Tibet are separate countries.... hmmmm... maybe I should have googled that first. :)

Joe Ambrosino said...

Haha! I should have read your recipe. I looked and thought you were using an alternative spelling of pho, so I figured Vietnam. If I had read the recipe, I would have recognized that rich Tibetan tea. I have a few lovely friends from Thailand; lovely people, you are right. Say hello to the Penchan Lama for me!Free Tibet!

Cathy said...

How wonderful, Mary, another adventure for you and Bob. I can't wait to learn where you will be off to in October.

Lisa said...

Stunning!
What a life!
What a blog!
Glad to find my way to you.

Warmly,
Lisa

The Blonde Duck said...

I have no idea where you're going.

Susi's Kochen und Backen said...

It sounds like you have an amazing, once in a lifetime adventure planned with your husband! I can't wait to read all about it :o)

Salsa Verde said...

Hi Mary,
Thank you so much for your kindness. I realised, just now, that my translator doesn't have English. What a shame!!! Since now, i'm going put my recipes in Portuguese and in English, so it will be more easy for all my visitors. Thanks again!
XXXX
Lia.

Wendy said...

I had Po Cha at a Tibetan monastery, in 2001, where I took part in a ceremont chanting for peace at a time when India and Pakistan were at loggerheads, threatening war... the tea was served with bread and was strange and delicious! The sort of thing you taste at first and have nothing to link it to in your mind... then you taste again and like it. Then love it. I still think about it! Enjoy your holiday!

RamblingTart said...

Oh Mary! I'm SOOOOO excited for you!!! Wow! The pictures alone are compelling. I can't wait to hear all about your adventures. :-)

Lo said...

Mary - Oh, wow! What a wonderful adventure you've chosen. So happy for you... and I can't wait to read more about it!

~ Janie ~ said...

Hmmm. This is like Where's Waldo. Fun. Okay, okay, it's Nepal, Tibet, and Thailand. Right?

Jen_from_NJ said...

How exciting! Planning a trip is so much fun. I will enjoy the trip vicariously through your posts!

Monet said...

Mary! What an amazing trip. I'm so excited for you. The pictures are beautiful and I can't wait to hear more!

tasteofbeirut said...

I would guess Tibet and Nepal and India?
Anyway it is going to be a lot of fun and so interesting as well!
Great recipe with the tea.

penny aka jeroxie said...

That is really exciting. It will be such an amzing journey.

marla {family fresh cooking} said...

OMG...are you on your way to Tibet?? I long to go there. Mount Everest, the people...what a journey. The Yak Milk Tea does sound a bit tough to get down, but it keeps them warm at 19,000 feet :)

Alicia Foodycat said...

Oh! Have some momo for me! Sounds like a wonderful holiday, even if your children's nerves don't like it.

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