Masala Chaí

Chai means as much as “mixed-spice tea” or simple “tea” which originated in India and gained popularity around the world. You can find chaí nowadays in most coffee places, traditionally it is made with black tea and a range of different herbs and spices.

Winter is the perfect time to warm up your body with a nourishing warm drink and therefore I would like to share my favorite Masala Chai recipes from the province of Gujarat in India.

Preparation time: 20 minutes
Portions: 4 - 6

Ingredients:

3 - 4 cloves, roughly ground
4 green cardamom pods, ground
1/2 cinnamon stick, 1 - 1,5 cm long
2 tsp fresh grated ginger
1/2 tsp fennel seeds
3 tsp tea leaves
0,6 l milk
jaggery (or similar natural sugar), for taste

Bring 750 ml water to boil and at all spices to it. Let it simmer on medium heat for 2 minutes.

Add the tea leaves to it and allow it to boil for another minute. Reduce the heat and let the tea steep for 5 minutes. Pour the milk and bring the tea to boil again. Reduce the heat again and let it simmer for another 2 minutes.

Take the pot from the stove and pour the tea through a strainer into cups or mugs and serve hot with sugar on the side for individual sweetening.

If you have your chaí with honey, please make sure to wait until the tea is room temperature before adding your honey.

Enjoy ~ Undine

Recipes for your Ayurvedic Summer Kitchen

Zucchini Basil Soup

Serves 4, 25 minutes

• 1 kg Zucchini

• 1 Tbsp Ghee

• 675 ml Water

• 1/2 tsp Cumin Seeds

• 1 pinch of Chilly

• 2 pinches of Nutmeg

• 1/2 Tsp Mineral Salt

• 1 fresh bunch of Basil

• 2-3 Tbsp Cream

Wash the Zucchini and slice into quarters.

Place the Ghee in a pot once heated add the cumin seeds and stir until fragrant. Add Zucchini and roast for 3-5 min.

Add chilly, nutmeg and salt. Stir the mixture for a couple of seconds and add water and simmer for 5 min.

Pluck basil leaves from the stems, wash and roughly chop. Add the basil leaves to the Zucchini mixture and use a stick blender until smooth consistency.

The cream is not necessary but it does increase flavor and texture.

For the big hunger: You can complement the soup with a slice of toasted bread and ghee or cottage cheese.