I just started to make this Chai concoction and it is outstanding.
Chai from Madhur Jeffery's "Indian Cooking" (4 servings)
3 cups water
1 2-inch stick of cinnamon (hoping on a no sugar diet, that using cinnamon is okay...)
12 cardamom pods (seeds)
12 whole cloves
1 2/3 cups whole milk (I checked the website and there is plenty of sugar in whole milk, so you may want to find an alternative that won't make the chai look week. I'll try skim milk or maybe almond - let me know what you are all going to use).
1/3 cup sugar (or to taste) I used the 1/3 and it wasn't too sweet (I also used Xylitol instead of sugar)
3 tablespoons strong, plain black tea leaves, loose
In India, Assam tea is used. It is expensive, so when my little 1 oz is gone, I'll be searcing for a good black loose leaf tea. Any suggestions. Also, I wonder if there are any decaf black tea out there.
1. Put water in an enameled saucepan over medium heat. Add the cinnamon, cardamom and cloves and bring to a boil. Cover, turn heat to low and simmer for 10 minutes.
2. Add the milk and sugar and bring to a simmer again. Throw in the tea leaves, cover and turn off the heat.
3. After 2 to 3 minutes, strain the tea into four warmed mugs and serve immediately.
When I made this, I drank one cup right away, then put the rest into a covered container in the fridge and heated a cup when I wanted it. It will keep several days and still taste good.
