Karak Tea / Chai (UAE style)

 

          Karak Tea is very popular in UAE and other Middle Eastern countries. This delectable fragrant milky tea is spiced with cardamom and saffron, the two secret ingredients that goes into making it. Evaporated milk, which is thick and creamy is also used in this recipe. 

          You can enjoy this Karak Chai along with cookies, biscuits, dates, donuts or any savory snacks as accompaniments. So check out the step by step pictorial recipe to prepare this most favored and comforting drink.

           Karak Tea is found in every street corner cafeterias and is usually served in paper cups. Any time and every time of the day you will find people enjoying it. 

          Instead of the normal evaporated milk, you can also go in for cardamom flavored evaporated milk. In that case, use less of cardamom.

          This tea is almost similar to Indian Masala Chai, minus cinnamon and cloves. So it is slightly on the milder side. It can also be made sugar free as per your preference. 

• 2 cups water 
• 2-3 green cardamom, crushed 
• 2 tbsp. black tea leaves / dust 
• 2 tbsp. sugar or to taste 
• 1/2 cup evaporated milk 
• pinch of saffron

          Heat water in a saucepan along with crushed cardamom and let it come to a boil. 

          Add sugar and keep stirring till it dissolves. 

          Now add the tea and bring it to a boil. 

          Add the milk and simmer on a low flame for 4-5 minutes. 

          Switch off the flame and strain in a tea pot or in individual tea cups. 

          Garnish with few strands of saffron and enjoy !!!!!1

                            Heat water along with crushed cardamom & let it come to a boil. 

                                  Add sugar and keep stirring till it dissolves. 

                                  Now add the tea and bring it to a boil. 

                                  Add the milk and simmer on a low flame for 4-5 minutes. 

                           Switch off the flame & strain in a tea pot or in individual tea cups. 

                                 Garnish with few strands of saffron and enjoy !!!!!1

Masala Ginger Lime Tea

          This immune booster drink is the need of the time. It's refreshing, spicy and a tangy concoction that will surely soothe your nerves and keep you going throughout the day. You can enjoy it hot or chilled, along with some ice cubes, according to your preference, anytime of the day. The tea and the honey (or any sweeteners) can be omitted if you wish.

       
          Ginger and lime contains vitamin C and other anti oxidants. The intake of ginger wards off nausea, stomach ailments and of course strengthens our immunity. 

          Lime on the other hand, improves digestion, is good for the tummy, removes toxins from our body and relieves constipation.

          Lastly, the whole spices are high in antioxidants as they lower blood sugar level / blood pressure, reduces inflammation, digestive problems and improves cholesterol, relieves indigestion and constipation.

          So a cupful of this healthy drink (with all the above mentioned ingredients) has a lot of healing properties. It relieves any cold during winter and boosts our energy with or without the spices, tea or honey.

• 1 litre water
• 1" ginger, sliced 
• 2" cinnamon stick 
• 3 green cardamoms 
• 5 cloves 
• 1 tsp. carom seeds 
• 1 tsp. fennel seeds 
• pinch of salt
• 1-2 tsp. tea leaves / 2 tea bags
• lime juice to taste
• honey / brown sugar / jaggery to taste

          Bring the water to a boil in a pan. Then add all the ingredients (except tea, lime juice and honey). Simmer for 8-10 minutes on a low flame till it is slightly reduced.

          When done, switch off the flame and add the tea leaves. Keep it covered for 5 minutes. Then strain and serve with lime juice and honey / brown sugar / jaggery to taste.

Roasted Eggplant Soup

       
           Eggplant Soup? Never heard of it ?  But, I assure you it simply tastes awesome and equally delicious. Roasted eggplants gives a smoky flavour to the soup and is made with some basic ingredients and spices. This is a very tasty and a hearty soup. 

          If had with few bread sticks / bread croutons, it makes for a wholesome one pot meal. The addition of kaffir lime leaves and lemon grass stalk gives this soup a refreshing flavor. It can also be prepared with some tomatoes added to it and garnished with some grated cheese.

• 1 medium sized eggplant
• 1 onion, chopped
• 2-3 garlic, crushed
• 1 tbsp. olive oil
• salt to taste
• black pepper to taste
• few kaffir lime leaves
• 1 lemon grass stalk (only the white portions to be used)
• 3 cups stock
• 2 tbsp. lemon juice or to taste
• coriander leaves and red chilly powder to garnish

          Smear some oil over the eggplant and cut into half. Roast over a stove top till it is charred. Alternatively it can be done in an oven too. When cool, discard the skin and mash well. Keep aside.

          Heat oil and sauté the onion and the garlic till light brown in colour. Add the mashed eggplant and sauté for 1-2 minutes. Add the stock, salt, pepper, kaffir lime leaves and the lemon grass stalk.

          Pressure cook for 2-3 whistles. When cool, discard the lime leaves and the lemon grass. Then blend into a puree and strain. 

          Just before serving, heat through and add the lemon juice. Serve, garnished with coriander leaves and red chili powder.