Confessions of A Wanna Be Cook

Masala Chai

Ingredients:

• 3-4 cardamom pods
• 1 cinnamon stick
• 3-4 whole cloves
• 1 inch piece of fresh ginger, sliced
• 2-3 dates, chopped
• 1/8 teaspoon freshly ground pepper
• 3 cups water
• 1/2 cup almond milk
• 1/2 cup regular milk (use all almond milk for vegan version)
• 2 heaping tablespoons of loose leaf black tea (Darjeeling or Assam)
• honey or vanilla sugar (optional for more sweetness)

Directions: 

1. Lightly crush cardamon pods, cinnamon and cloves in a mortar and pestle.
2. Put water in a pot and add crushed cardamon, cinnamon, cloves, ginger, dates and black pepper. Bring the mixture to a boil, then simmer for 4 minutes. 
3. Remove from heat and let the spices infuse their flavor for another 4-5 minutes.
4.  Add the milk and almond milk to the pan and bring back to a boil. 
5. Remove from heat and add the tea. 
6. Cover the pot, remove from heat and let it steep for 4-5 minutes.
7. Masala Chai is ready! Use a fine sieve and strain it into a teapot or directly into serving cups. 
8. Add honey or vanilla sugar if you like sweeter tasting tea.

(Source: wishfulchef.com)