MASSALA CHAI TEA RECIPES

Steps:

• In a small pot over low heat, toast all spices except nutmeg until fragrant, stirring frequently, about 1 minute. Remove from heat. Using a mortar and pestle, spice grinder, of the back of your knife, crack and crush open the cardamom, cloves, fennel seeds, and peppercorns. Return pot to medium-low heat and bring water to a boil. Reduce heat to low and add all spices, ginger, and tea. Gently simmer for 10 minutes. Stir in milk and sugar and bring to a simmer. Simmer for 10 more minutes, stirring frequently to prevent milk from burning on the bottom of the pot. Optionally, to aerate and build creaminess into the chai, use a ladle to repeatedly scoop and pour chai back into the pot, from a slight height.  Remove from heat and let stand 5 minutes more before straining out spices and serving.

Steps:

• Grind together cardamom, cinnamon stick, peppercorns, and fennel seeds with mortar and pestle or coffee/spice grinder.
• Bring milk just to a simmer in a 2-quart heavy saucepan. Stir or whisk in brown sugar, ground spice mixture, ginger, and 1/8 teaspoon salt, or to taste. Reduce heat to low and simmer gently, stirring occasionally, 3 minutes to infuse flavors.
• Meanwhile, bring water to a boil in a 1-quart saucepan, add tea, and boil 1 minute.
• Pour tea through a fine-mesh sieve into hot milk mixture (discard tea leaves) and cook over low heat 1 minute. Stir before serving.