From the kitchen of One Perfect Bite...Bob and I don't normally drink tea. It's simply not our beverage of choice. That, however, changed, at least temporarily, while we were in India. Brewed coffee was extremely difficult to find and, rather than have a cup made from instant granules, we switched to tea. Our tour guide introduced us to Masala Chai at a rest stop en route from Delhi to Agra. It wasn't bad. Better still, he shared his family recipe for the tea with us. While it's a bit more work that your standard cuppa, the recipe is really simple and nearly foolproof. Use a teaspoon of tea leaves for each cup of tea you want to brew and don't forget to add another for the pot. Spice and sugar up or down as personal taste dictates. Indian Chai tends to be very sweet, but you can cut back if you like. The tea is good enough that the recipe should not be kept a secret. I hope you'll give it a try. It's a great alternative to English tea.
Masala Chai...from the kitchen of One Perfect Bite
Ingredients:
1 cup water
4 teaspoons Darjeeling or other loose black tea
2 to 3 crushed cardamom pods
1-inch piece peeled fresh ginger, smashed
2 cups milk
3 to 6 teaspoons sugar
Directions:
1) Place water in a 2-quart saucepan and bring to a simmer.
2) Add loose tea leaves to water. Stir in crushed cardamom pods and smashed ginger.
3) Add milk and bring mixture to a rolling boil. Simmer, stirring regularly, for 5 minutes.
4) Add sugar to taste. Simmer for 1 minute longer, or until sugar is fully dissolved.
5) Strain mixture through a strainer into cups or tempered glasses. Yield: 3 servings.
You might also enjoy these recipes:
How Do I Love Tea? Let Me Count the Ways - Home Cooking Rocks
How to Make A Perfect Cup of Tea - Noble Pig
Homemade Mystic Chai Mix Powder - My Favorite Recipes
Chocolate Chai Pie - The Sensitive Pantry
Mugi-Chai: A Japanese Twist on Masala Chai - La Fuji Mama
Chai Shortbread - Don't Forget Delicious
Chai - Simply Recipes
Chai Tea Cupcakes - Sunny-Side Up Recipes
oh my goodness...how warm is THIS? I'm SO going to make it this weekend. It's cold and rainy outside, I do love this season but a hot cup of homemade chai tea would be just the ticket!
ReplyDeleteTHANK YOU
Shawna
Very inviting chai..
ReplyDeleteHey, you're getting wild and crazy! A new post and it isn't midnight yet!! We like coffee and tea both. And I tried some Chai once and didn't like it. It was out of a box that I made up. But I guess I need to give it another try. One thing I've read is that recent studies show that if you put milk in your tea, it does not have the good benefits for your health anymore. It kind of defeats all those chemicals in there.
ReplyDeleteChai is one of my most favorite "comfort" beverages. So nice to have an authentic recipe- it sounds wonderful! Glad that your trip went well!
ReplyDeleteThis is one of my favorite teas ever and I'll probably be drinking it all winter long :) I love your little teacups!!
ReplyDeleteSues
Chai tea is my flavour of chouce when I am at any of our local coffeeshops including Starbucks.
ReplyDeleteI' m going to try MAsali chai...I'm really curious to taste it!!Thanks for recipe!!!HAve a nice weekend
ReplyDeleteIncredible..but tell me..is boiling loose tea for 5 minutes a good? I remember reading that after 2.5 minutes it starts releasing tanins ( the bitter chemicals). I guess with water and milk that effect gets cancelled. Smells awesome...btw..with cardamom and ginger :)
ReplyDeleteThis is our family favorite..you made it perfectly Mary..I could use a cup with couple of samosas :)
ReplyDeleteUS Masala
My sisters love chai tea. I'm excited to share this with them over Christmas break. Isn't it amazing how some cultures don't rely on coffee like we do here? Thanks for sharing...I hope you have a fun-filled weekend!
ReplyDeleteYum! Now I wish I had not used up all my cardomom pods...
ReplyDeleteI'll have to make this for my daughter who loves chai - this is the first time I've seen a recipe for it.
ReplyDeleteThis sounds so warm and delicious. Especially good for cold winter mornings and nights.
ReplyDeleteMy daughters and I love Chai Tea. Great stuff, great photo!
ReplyDelete:)
ButterYum
Are you home or posting from India? Tomorrow morning I must peruse your blog as I have seemed to miss a few posts. I was just reading your Rules of the Road- Indian style. I was laughing! My husband wants to show it to his Indian friends. I think he may have had some close calls with the state of nirvana while driving with them.
ReplyDeletemmm loving this recipe! thanks
ReplyDeleteI'm a bit confused by the recipe instructions. First, it says:
ReplyDelete"Use a teaspoon of tea leaves for each cup of tea you want to brew and don't forget to add another for the pot. "
Does that mean that if my pot holds 4 cups, I should add 4 tsp?
Your recipe then goes on to say 1 cup water and 4 tsp tea. Can I get some clarification? :) I am quite anxious to make it which is why I ask.
Hi Melanie, I sent the answer to your question to your blog. Have a good evening. Blessings...Mary
ReplyDeleteMary,
ReplyDeleteI just found this recipe on the net, some 6 years later and I, too, am confused about the ingredients. I'm not a tea drinker but I want to try this. If I make two cups I should add 2 + 1 teaspoon(for the pot) I guess that's my choice of black tea???. OK
Then I add 4, or maybe only 2 cups of water?????
Please clarify for this coffee drinker. Thank you.
Lexy, to make 2 cps of tea you would bring 2/3 of a cup of water to a boil, add 3 (1 for each cup + 1 for the pot)teaspoons loose tea leaves (whatever type you choose) and 1-1/3 cups milk. Sugar and spice to individual taste.
ReplyDeleteYour tea will also taste wonderful if simmered with whole Star Anise and whole Cloves.
ReplyDelete