Masala Chai Food

INDIAN MASALA CHAI

Steps:

• In a mortar, crush the cloves, cardamom pods and cinnamon, or use a coffee grinder.
• Transfer the crushed spices to a small saucepan, add the water, ginger and pepper and bring to a boil.
• Remove the pan from the heat, cover and let steep for 5 minutes.
• Add the milk and sugar to the pan and bring to a boil.
• Remove from the heat and add the tea.
• Cover and let steep for 3 minutes.
• Stir the chai, then strain it into a warmed teapot or directly into teacups.
• Enjoy!

MASALA CHAI

Steps:

• Combine the water and sugar in a small saucepan, and bring to a boil. Add the cardamom pod, clove, peppercorns and tea leaves. Remove from heat, and let the mixture steep for 2 to 3 minutes. Strain into a cup, and fill cup the rest of the way with milk. Sit back, relax, and enjoy!

MASALA CHAI

Steps:

• Tie up the cinnamon, cardamon seeds and cloves in a piece of cheesecloth and tie it with a string into a bag. Put the bag of spices into a pot with the 5 cups of water and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat and simmer the spices for 15 minutes.
• Turn off the heat and put the tea leaves (or tea bags) into the hot spiced water and steep for 2-3 minutes. Remove the cheesecloth bag and strain the liquid thru a sieve to remove the tea leaves.
• Add the milk, honey and vanilla to the strained chai. Serve hot, or cold over ice.

MASALA-CHAI CARROT CAKE

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350˚ F. Grease two 8-inch round cake pans and line the bottoms with parchment paper.
• To make the cake, add the tea bags to a mug of the boiling water and let them steep for 5 minutes before discarding the bags. In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, ginger, cloves, pepper and cardamom. Set aside.
• In a separate bowl, add the muscovado sugar, eggs and tea, mixing until combined before stirring in the oil. Tip in the carrots and fold them in so they're evenly distributed. Fold in the flour mixture until just incorporated, making sure there are no pockets of flour hiding near the bottom.
• Divide the batter evenly between the two pans and bake for 35 to 40 minutes, or until the cakes are nicely browned and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Let the cakes cool completely in the pans, then turn them out onto a rack.
• To make the frosting, beat the butter and confectioners' sugar with an electric mixer for 3 to 5 minutes, or until pale and smooth. Beat in the cream cheese until combined.
• To assemble, place one cake layer on a cake stand. Spoon one-third of the frosting on top and push right to the edges. Place the second cake topside down in order to give you a flat top. Add the rest of the frosting, spreading it evenly with an offset spatula. Scatter the walnuts on top of the cake.

MASALA CHAI

Steps:

• Bring the water and milk to a boil in a saucepot. Add the remaining ingredients, except honey turn the heat down to a simmer, cover, and steep for 10 to 15 minutes. Remove from heat and strain*. Add honey and mix well. Store in refrigerator. Can be served hot or cold.
• *Note if using a glass pitcher, make sure to thoroughly warm the pitcher before adding hot chai.

SPICED MILK TEA (MASALA CHAI)

Steps:

• Grind together cardamom, cinnamon stick, peppercorns, and fennel seeds with mortar and pestle or coffee/spice grinder.
• Bring milk just to a simmer in a 2-quart heavy saucepan. Stir or whisk in brown sugar, ground spice mixture, ginger, and 1/8 teaspoon salt, or to taste. Reduce heat to low and simmer gently, stirring occasionally, 3 minutes to infuse flavors.
• Meanwhile, bring water to a boil in a 1-quart saucepan, add tea, and boil 1 minute.
• Pour tea through a fine-mesh sieve into hot milk mixture (discard tea leaves) and cook over low heat 1 minute. Stir before serving.