A Perfect Cup of Chai 03.17.2012

One of the best memories I have of visiting India is having a cup of chai very early in the morning with my grandmother.  She would make the tea and pour it into delicate tea cups she had had in her cupboard for decades.  We would sit outside on the front patio and sip, talking occasionally, but mostly watching the world wake up around us.  

My grandmother in 2006, making evening tea in her kitchen.  It was uncomfortable for her to stand so she perched herself on top of a propane gas cylinder to cook.   Cows frequently showed up at her kitchen window, and she would feed them leftovers.

I have never been able to replicate the taste of the tea she used to make:  it was simple, strong, and fragrant black tea.  And I also cannot replicate the experience of drinking tea in India -- we would watch cows walking by us, greet the milkman who arrived on his bike -- but it is still a respite for me.  A tea break is peaceful.  

I haven't met anyone who used the same recipe as someone else to make a perfect cup of chai -- it's all based on what spices you like, whether you want sugar added, and how much milk you take.  You can put a number of spices into chai, or just one or two. I usually will use one or two things I have on had.  You could also buy tea bags that are packed with chai spices but what's the fun in that?

These are the common chai additives: fresh ginger, fresh mint leaves, cloves, cardamom, and fennel seeds.  I had forgotten about using fennel seeds until my mother put it in tea just last week:  WOW.  It's really amazing. 

The tea I'm making today will include cardamom, cloves, fennel seeds, and fresh ginger.  

Ready?  Here we go!

Tea for One

Put spices in a small pot.

Add water.  For each cup, add the amount of water that fits into the cup from which you're drinking.  Put the water on medium heat.

Add 1 teaspoon of loose tea leaves (Assam or Darjeeling) or one tea bag per cup. Right now I'm drinking Whittard of Chelsea Assam tea -- it is wildly strong.

When the tea looks as if it's about to boil, add the milk. 

Lower the heat just a tad and bring the tea to a boil.  Once it starts rising, turn off the heat.

Strain the tea into your cup, add sugar, and stir.

And now to sit down for my cup of chai...until next time, happy eating and sipping!

Minty Freshness...in March! 03.17.2012

Ahhhh....mint!  It's so...how you say....minty?  Yes, it's mighty minty!

It's March here in the Eastern United States and the weather has been unusually warm -- this week we've had temperatures soaring to the 70s and 80s.  Shocking, yes, but I am so excited about what's happening in our garden.  

We're not big fruit-vegetable-herb gardeners, but we have mint, rosemary, and lavender.  The early-summer like temperatures have forced many plants to life, and the mint is no exception.  

New mint in March

  

One of my favorite mint-related foods is mint-and-coriander chutney.  I've never made this myself but boy is it delicious with all sorts of Indian food (samosas anyone?).  I also love taking about 10-20 mint leaves and steeping them in hot water -- voila! -- mint tea, a perfect after-dinner digestive.  I also learned a few years ago that mint is a natural remedy for headaches -- it works, I swear.  

If you're looking for a herb that will grow in abundance, plant some mint.  It will grow and spread each year, sometimes with the virility of bamboo.  We planted the mint three years ago under a silver maple tree that is more than 60 years old, and there is nothing better than garden-fresh mint leaves in your tea or mojito.

Here are some photos of the mint plant in our 

garden, sprouting unusually early in March.  Enjoy, and happy eating (and sipping)!

Our silver maple, mint growing at the base on the right.  That figure in the tree is a wooden statue we found in our garden (yes, found) of St. Francis of Assisi -- Patron saint of animals and the environment.  It fit perfectly in that nook in the tree and we've had it there for years.

Beautiful mint!

Foodie Love: Volume One 04.12.2011

Welcome to the first installment of Foodie Love!  Or, things I am loving in the kitchen right now.  I'm not hard to please, so when I'm cooking -- or loitering -- in the kitchen, happiness is always nearby.  Let's get started.

California Olive Ranch Extra Virgin Olive Oil

Immediate Thought:  Oh. My. God. I'm inhaling olives.

Strong Suit:  The aroma is incredible.  I've tried numerous brands of olive oil in varying price ranges, and the ones that smell as if you've stuck your head in an olive are my favorite.  I like California Olive Ranch especially for its strong flavor; I use the "Everyday" version, which is pictured to the left.  I use this for cooking, drizzling, and dipping.  On my extensive list of things to do:  bake a focaccia loaf and dip.

Cost:  You can get California Olive Ranch olive oils at your local grocery (mine is Giant) for under $15, and online in six-packs for even less.  

Sahale Snacks Sing Buri Cashews

Immediate Thought:  I think I might be eating a Thai salad.  

Strong Suit:  Sahale has a variety of nut snacks, but Sing Buri is my favorite.  It really is reminiscent of a Thai salad.  The cashews are mixed with dried pineapple, peanuts, lemongrass, and mild Chinese chili.  The dried pineapple is chewy, but this is only good.  So, so good.  This mixture also contains black and white sesame seeds, soy sauce, and sake.  Do I even need to go on about the merits of Sing Buri?

Cost:  $4.99 at Whole Foods for a 5 ounce bag; on sale at Lucky Vitamin; or $23.16 for a pack of six at the Sahale website.  

Whittard of Chelsea Assam Tea

Immediate Thought:  Jesus. Christ.  (An odd reaction from a Capitalist-Agnostic, but there it is.)  

Strong Suit:  Whittard of Chelsea's Assam tea is strong.  One round tea bag could easily make two cups of tea but I use one bag for one kick-ass cup.  That's right:  kick-ass.  

Cost:  Every March, Eric goes on a business trip to London and brings back six boxes for me, which last a long, long time since I also am a coffee drinker.  I could purchase this tea online, but it feels good to make it an annual event (that also comes with other presents).  You can get this tea online at Annie's Tea Time for $9.95 for a 40-tea bag box.  The updated design and quantity (50) can be found on the UK site.

The Tabbouleh Song

Immediate Thought:  I love tabbouleh and GoRemy is funny; therefore I love the Tabbouleh Song.

Strong Suit:  Really?  You have to ask?  Look at this guy.  I hope to run into Remy on the dance floor while The Tabbouleh Song is playing at an unusually loud volume.  He's got great moves, his alter egos are hilarious, and his sentiments about food deeply moving.  I also recommend his odes to Hummus and Falafel, and his song "Hey There, Khalilah".  I dare you to keep a straight face.

Cost:  Time.  I will not reveal to you how much time I've spent watching GoRemy's videos.  In addition to his declarations for Lebanese food, I urge you to watch his rail of the Washington, DC Metro, and a declaration of his capabilities.  It's simply inspirational.  

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The next installment of Foodie Love will feature my favorite cutting board.  Calm down.  You're going to have to wait.