Here's a recipie for a nice traditional Indian chai - a spiced tea. This makes 4 cups. 12 peppercorns 6-8 cardamon pods about 2 inch piece of cinnamon stick 10 whole cloves piece of fresh root ginger about grape size 4-5 teaspoons black unperfumed tea 3 cups of full cream milk 2 cups of water Crush the spices and slice the ginger root into small pieces. Bring water and milk to the boil Add the spices and the tea and simmer for 15- 20 mins, stirring now and then. Be patient! Chai making cannot be hurried. Strain into individual cups or a pot. Sweeten with sugar or honey to taste. For an even better, smoother result, add about a quarter of a cup of cream. For extra spicyness try adding one star of star anise with the other spices. Vegans could try this using soya milk with some added soy cream. Alternatively, try ommiting the tea and milk. For 4 cups use about 5 of water to allow for evaporation. The result is a very subtle flavoured spice tisane which is nice with honey. Both of these are very relaxing.:cheers2:
I can't understand why most people rise so early and then sit bored witless for hours when they could pass the time by sleeping. Maybe the chai-sellers have a lot to do with it. They prowl the corridors shouting and screaming as if their particular chai is the last available chai on the planet...
