Indian Masala Chai (Tea) Recipe

Chai or tea consumption is common in most parts of India. Tea selling vendors are visible on roads in most parts of India and they are known as "Chai Wallas". People start their day with a cup of tea in the morning and also consume tea in the afternoon.

This recipe will make 2 cups of tea.

Ingredients for Masala tea:

2 Cardamoms
Small piece of grated ginger
3 Mint leaves
1/4 teaspoon cinnamon powder
1 cup milk
1 cup water
4 teaspoon tea leaves (black tea leaves)
4 teaspoon of sugar (you can add more if you like it to be more sweet)
1/2 teaspoon Indian chai masala (Special spice mix for the tea. You can get it in any Indian grocery store or you can make it at home). This spice mix can be prepared at home too and you can also make tea without this spice mix.

Method for making Indian spice mix for tea:
Mix and grind dry ginger powder, black pepper, nutmeg, cloves, cinnamon and cardamom. Tea masala or spice mix for tea will be ready. :)


Method for Masala tea:

Boil milk and water. Add cardamom, sugar, cinnamon powder, mint leaves and tea masala. Then add tea leaves. After it comes to boil add grated ginger. Let it boil for few minutes until the tea mixture becomes brown in color (If you like more strong tea, let the mixture boil for more minutes).  After the tea mixture becomes brown in color, strain the tea in the cup with a strainer.

Enjoy the hot Chai Masala tea. :)

My Kitchen :)

Peda Recipe

Peda's are Indian sweet. Peda's are similar to milk fudge.

Ingredients to make Peda's:

2 cups of ricotta cheese

5 tbsp of condensed milk
5 tbsp milk powder
1 tsp all purpose flour
8 tbsp of sugar (Add more sugar if you like it more sweet)
Cardamom, Almond slices and Saffron for decorating 

Preparation:

1. Mix all the ingredients together to form a paste like consistency in a bowl. Then transfer it to a thick bottomed pan. You can also add saffron to the mixture to make the Peda's yellow in color.
2.Start cooking it on a gas stove and cook it on a low flame. Keep stirring it.
3. Remove the mixture from the heat when the mixture leaves the sides of the pan.
4. When it cools a little bit (You can also keep in in the refrigerator and let it cool for sometime) to make small balls. 

5. Decorate the Peda's with almonds, cardamom and saffron. 

Enjoy the yummy Peda's.