Masala Chai / Masala Tea || Cooking with Family and Friends

Masala Chai / Masala Tea || Cooking with Family and Friends - #2 ||

Living in the middle east makes you crave for those green sights and where better can you satisfy your longing than at your parents place. Sitting back and relaxing with a steaming pot of masala tea on the traditional cane chair overlooking the yard - watching the orchids and the roses bloom in mamma's garden, three naughty little dachshunds (Rani - the senior and our companion for years, Bruno - the naughtiest and gunda of the lot and the 7 month old sweetheart, Coco)dashing around like there is no tomorrow and a wonderful evening pass by with your family. There is truly no place like home!! Can't say how much I miss this. I crave for those rainy weekend evenings during the school days when all we needed was a cup of tea with fried snacks and lots of family talk!

This time in our series of cooking with family - it is my mamma again as we make masala tea for one such wonderful and lazy evening when all we want to do is sit and chat!

Ingredients
(Makes 4 cups)

Water - 2 and 1/2 cups
Milk - 2 cups
Ginger - 1 inch crushed
Star anise - 1
Cinnamon - 1 inch
Cardamom - 3 crushed
Cloves - 4
Tea Leaves - 2 tbsp
Sugar

Method

Add water to a pan along with ginger, star anise, cinnamon, cardamom and cloves. Bring this to boil and let it simmer for 5 to 10 minutes.
Add the tea leaves and turn off the flame. Keep it covered for 5 minutes.
Switch on the flame and add the milk. Bring this to boil and turn off the flame.
Strain the tea and add sugar as per taste. Serve it hot with your evening snacks!

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