a nice hot cup of tea

I love chai tea. The first time I tried it about 10 years ago, I declared it was like having cake in a cup! Oh my, it was sweet and rich and full of spice, instantly comforting and wonderfully cozy. While popping a commercially prepared chai tea bag into a mug of hot water can be just what you need, making your own tea from scratch is a whole new experience in itself. It's simple to make and I get to use my mortar and pestle to crunch on down those green cardamom pods (totally satisfying!) It smells great while it simmers away on the stove and it tastes even better. The best part about making it yourself is that you can control the sweetness and richness. I use skim milk and a big dollop of honey and found it perfect. Enjoy this nice hot cup of tea!

chai tea
4 c water
1 3" chunk of ginger, peeled & sliced
8 cloves
1/2 t black peppercorns
10 cardamon pods, slightly crushed
1 large cinnamon stick, broken in two
3 bags orange pekoe tea
1 1/2 c milk
1 1/2 T honey

In a medium sized pot, bring water, ginger, cloves, peppercorns, cardamom and cinnamon stick to a boil. Simmer for 30 minutes. Strain liquid and return to pot. Add tea bags and let steep for 5 - 10 minutes. Remove tea bags and add milk and honey. Return to heat and simmer for a few minutes until steamy. Serve in big mugs.