Close knit families are rare to find. Sad, but true. I'm not even speaking of extended family...just nuclear. All under one roof. And so comes the importance of traditions. They bring people together in a way that -you see each other's heart(s)- the true nature of who they are. The special unique way each of us are created.
I've been learning the importance of tradition. We as a family naturally have some. But I never was intentional about creating them. As I move forward I will become more intentional, because tradition bring a closeness that bonds us together. Jokes..that are just family jokes. "Inside jokes." Also a knittedness..if that were a word...that unfortunately is so rare today.
On this adventure of looking for new traditions, we began with an old one and added something to make it extra special. We had our yearly trip to the pumpkin farm. Nice long day outdoors, petting animals...falling in love with some. Taking photos . . . that never quite do justice to the beauty our eyes take in. Tired and hungry toward the end of the day. We decided to embark on a small adventure...trying something new. Masala, aka..chai latte. Oh and an aside as I learned how to make this I also learned to never say chai tea...cause it's the same as saying "tea tea" haha...and that's just goofy.
It's so Simple!
Masala Chai
6 cups water
2 cinnamon sticks
2-3 star anise
3-4 thin slices ginger
10 cardamom pods smashed
2-4T sucanat
6 tea bags-black tea or loose if you have it!
About 2 cups milk...to taste..or you can tell by color
This recipe makes enough for 6.
In a pot put about 6 cups water. Add cinnamon sticks, star anise, ginger (fresh!), cardamom. The pods are much better than the powder...peel to use the inner part (they will need to be ground up). Bring these to a simmer. Add sucanat to sweeten to your liking. After it simmers a few minutes, add tea and remove after 2 minutes. Bring the heat down then add milk. Adjust the spices as you like...for the flavor you enjoy the most.
So in the years to come it will be evenings with chai to warm us up after a day at the pumpkin farm.
