90 lines
3.7 KiB
Markdown
90 lines
3.7 KiB
Markdown
## Traditional Karak Chai
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### Ingredients
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- 1/2 cup water
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- 2 1/2 cups full-fat milk
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- 1 tablespoon loose black tea leaves
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- 1-2 tablespoons sugar
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- 4-6 cardamom pods, crushed
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- Optional: a pinch of cloves and/or a small piece of cinnamon stick
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### Directions
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1. In a saucepan, add water and bring to a simmer on medium heat.
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2. Add crushed cardamom pods (and cloves and cinnamon if using), tea leaves.
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3. Boil gently until the water starts to reduce, stirring occasionally.
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4. Add full-fat milk and stir well.
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5. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat and simmer until it thickens slightly.
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6. Add sugar according to taste and stir until dissolved.
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7. Simmer on low heat for a few more minutes.
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8. Strain the tea into cups.
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9. Serve hot and enjoy.
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---
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## Popular Karak Chai with Condensed Milk
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### Ingredients
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- 1/2 cup water
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- 2 cups full-fat milk
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- 1/4 cup condensed milk (or adjust according to desired sweetness)
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- 1 tablespoon loose black tea leaves (preferably a strong variety)
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- 4-6 cardamom pods, crushed
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- Optional spices: cinnamon, cloves, ginger (for added warmth and flavor)
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### Directions
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1. **Water and Spices**: In a saucepan, heat the water. Add the crushed cardamom pods and optional spices like cinnamon, cloves, and ginger.
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2. **Tea Leaves**: Once the water is simmering, add the black tea leaves. Allow it to boil gently until the water reduces slightly, intensifying the tea's flavor.
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3. **Milk and Condensed Milk**: Add the full-fat milk and condensed milk to the saucepan. The condensed milk not only sweetens the chai but also contributes to its creamy texture.
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4. **Boil and Simmer**: Bring the mixture to a boil, then lower the heat to let it simmer. This process allows the flavors to meld together and the tea to achieve a rich consistency.
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5. **Strain**: After simmering for a few minutes, strain the tea into cups, ensuring all spices and tea leaves are removed.
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6. **Serve**: Enjoy the Karak Chai hot, ideally with traditional accompaniments like biscuits or pastries.
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This preparation method for Karak Chai, using condensed milk, is popular for its rich, creamy, and sweet characteristics. It's a beloved variant in many tea-drinking cultures, offering a comforting and indulgent twist on the traditional chai.
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---
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## Modern Karak Chai (Dairy-Free)
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### Ingredients
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- 1/2 cup water
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- 2 1/2 cups almond milk or oat milk
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- 1 tablespoon loose black tea leaves
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- 1-2 tablespoons brown sugar or honey
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- 4-6 cardamom pods, crushed
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- Optional: ground cinnamon or cinnamon stick, a few strands of saffron, slice of fresh ginger
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### Directions
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1. Bring water to a simmer in a saucepan. Add crushed cardamom, optional cinnamon, and ginger slice.
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2. Add tea leaves and boil until water reduces a bit.
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3. Pour in almond or oat milk.
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4. Stir in brown sugar or honey.
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5. Bring to a boil, then simmer. Add saffron if using.
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6. Simmer until fragrant and slightly thickened.
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7. Strain tea into cups.
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8. Serve hot.
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## Contemporary Tea Shop Karak Chai (With a Twist)
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### Ingredients
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- 1/2 cup water
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- 2 1/2 cups coconut milk (for a tropical twist)
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- 1 tablespoon loose black tea leaves (or chai blend)
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- 1-2 tablespoons maple syrup (for a unique sweetener)
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- 4-6 cardamom pods, crushed
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- Optional: a dash of vanilla extract, a sprinkle of nutmeg
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### Directions
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1. In a saucepan, heat water and add crushed cardamom pods.
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2. Add tea leaves and let the mixture boil until the water is reduced.
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3. Pour in coconut milk for a creamy, tropical flavor.
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4. Sweeten with maple syrup.
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5. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for a rich flavor.
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6. Optionally add a dash of vanilla extract and a sprinkle of nutmeg for extra aroma.
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7. Strain the chai into cups.
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8. Serve warm, ideally with a tropical-themed presentation.
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