Kunal shows off as he cooks up a pot of tea on a cool morning. He has been serving chai on Delhi's Main Bazaar for 15 years, he says.
Travel log:
Intrepid travelers make their way around the world in search of whatever it is they cannot find at home.
Some of the smart ones, especially the New Yorkers, realize that there there are some pretty good things that were available at home the whole time.
One thing that is not often found at the neighborhood coffee shop (but should be) is an Indian staple... Masala tea. The sharply spiced stuff is sold at restaurants, but the better brews are found on street carts for just Rs. 5.
The tea, missing from New York, is good enough for the Lost Nav to break character and hang a post featuring a recipe.
INGREDIENTS
6 cups water
6 heaping teaspoons of strong black tea
6 oz. crushed ginger root
5 cardamom pods
5 cloves
2 cinnamon sticks
Milk, sugar as desired
PREPARATION
Bring water to rolling boil. Add crushed, mashed, chopped spices and milk. Cook for 1 minute over high flame, 2 minutes over low flame.
Strain, cool and serve.
The previous recipe is for entertainment purposes only. The Lost Nav takes no responsibility for the quality of the tea or any unforeseen side-effects.
Aaron,
ReplyDeleteI enjoy the writing and travelogue but I really just wanted to wish you a safe, happy and healthy new year.
Seth
I look at the picture of your boy Kunil and realize its true...no matter where you are everyone wants to give a shout out to their boyz back in Brooklyn, "Whatz Up Son."
ReplyDeleteHey take responsibility Masala could be the new poppin' flavor at Starbucks. There is a woman who started a tea company in the Northwest after having the most amazing tea in India while visiting her daughter during her walkabout in India. The inspiration was the start of a $3.1M operation pushing the spices of the East. Like I said, take responsibility...you could be inspiring a millionaire.