A hot Cuppa Chai on a Rainy Day !!! 🍵

The quiet paved path on the road infront of my house began to dampen quickly with the sudden rain fall since dawn today and I am sitting in my front yard sipping hot cup of Chai on a rainy day watching a view of greenery around me as if nature has come alive. It is just mid-morning now as the sun struggles to make its presence behind a thick sheath of clouds.☁

The memory of my childhood doubled down on me (and so I'm penning down my thoughts in this blog ) when I was recalling my past where I would enjoy the simple pleasures of rainy day like eating snacks- vegetable samosas, onion pakora, Maggie noodles 🍜 or simple plain biscuits along with my favorite masala chai/tea, a perfect treat I deserved after a hectic day of studies/work. Playing in the rain while coming from school or college or office.☔ Such a fond memories!!

Chai with a bite on the samosas or fried fitters platter (either Onions, Green chilies, Potatoes, Cauliflower, Cabbage or bread) with tomato ketchup or green chilies on side goes so well with rainy days especially having conversation with family/friends or over phone, curled up on a couch in a warm throw reading a book/magazine, sitting in front yard/ backyard/patio while its raining, listening to favorite music or watching favorite movie or series on OTT like Netflix/ Prime/ HBO/ Disney +. 

So peaceful !!! Sigh !!😊

Monsoons are simply perfect season with rains combining with lip-smacking foods like Chaat, Jalebi, Pav Bhaji, boiled corn (topped with salt, red chili powder and lemon juice) that satisfies my hunger.

Although this is "not" a food blog , I would definitely want to share my recipe of Indian Masala Chai/ Tea to all my readers out there. This is a simple and common traditional spicy tea dating back my family generations. Check it out!!

Ingredients:

1/2 cup of milk

1.5 cup of  water

1.5 tsp of Tea leaves ( I use Brooke Bond Red Label Tea brand found in any Indian store nearby, You can find it in Walmart too in case you are living in US)

1/2 inch crushed ginger 

1/2 inch of cinnamon stick or 1/4th tsp of cinnamon powder

1/4 tsp of cardamom powder or 2-3 pods of crushed cardamom

1/2 tsp of cloves

1/8th tsp of nutmeg (optional)

sugar/ sugar substitute according to ur taste

Preparation:

1. Take 1 cup of water in a saucepan, put it on a medium flame. Let it boil for 5 mins and then add 1.5 tsp of tea leaves with all the spices mentioned in the ingredients list . Stir the tea occasionally and let it boil for 10 mins.

2. Add 1/2 cup of milk and wait till the tea comes to a boiling stage, turn off the stove once you feel the tea+milk is brewed. Take a cup, add sugar/ sugar substitute accordingly, strain the tea with the filter and enjoy drinking!!

There are many varieties of Chai out there with a dash of Indian flavors depending on people's taste buds naming a few like cardamom/ elaichi chai, ginger chai (adrak chai), masala chai with assorted spices of your choice.

Nothing can beat Chai with crushed ginger which is a perfect remedy for any flu symptoms like cold, cough, headache and fever. With a mix of all these flavors ( cloves, cinnamon, nutmeg and cardamom), this chai instantly packs a punch and warms you up instantly and embracing stronger immune on a rainy day. 

There is an advantage for women who can often consume this tea for reducing menstrual pain.

Stay Safe friends 😷and Have fun exploring my Blog and if possible do visit these places whenever ur free…

Until my next article ….👋