Masala Chai
Serves: 4 people
Takes: Up to 15 mins
Chai is world renowned for being sweet and spicy. The masala is usually kept secret and is passed down from mother to daughter. Here is one of my favourite recipes for creating your very own homemade chai --- ssshhh don’t tell my mum I shared it with you!
Ingredients
4 cloves
8 green cardamom pods
1 cinnamon stick
few whole black peppercorns
½ teaspoon fennel seeds
500ml water
3 - 4 tea bags or 3 teaspoons of loose-leaf tea (I prefer Darjeeling)
2 teaspoons sugar, to taste (optional)
1cm root ginger, grated or 1 teaspoon ground ginger
500ml whole milk or semi skimmed if you prefer
Method
Roughly crush the spices with a pestle & mortar before adding them to a pan with the water, tea bags or tea leaves and sugar (if using).
Add the ginger and bring to a rolling boil.
Add the milk, stir well and allow to boil.
Taste and add more sugar if you like before straining through a sieve and serving.
My Tip: If you prefer your tea less milky then add more water instead of milk.
