The Brunette Diaries

For The Tea Lovers: Our Favourite Chai Recipes With A Twist

We Indians love our tea, actually, we Indians love our chai. Just like the west where the day does not begin without a cup coffee, in India no day can begin effectively without a cup of chai. We make plain tea, pudina tea, cinnamon tea, cardamom tea, ginger tea and so on. But, have you ever tried chocolate tea or vanilla tea perhaps? Now you can! Try out these amazing chai recipes and give your regular chai a lovely twist.

Also read: 10 Health Benefits Of Different Types Of Tea

Chocolate Chai

Chocolate and chai, two of our favourite things, together, in one drink. How can we not love this concoction?

Ingredients:

1 teaspoon regular tea powder

½ stick cinnamon (dalchini)

1 clove (laung)

1 heapful teaspoon cocoa powder (unsweetened)

2 teaspoons brown sugar or white sugar

½ cup water

½ cup milk

Chocolate shavings/cocoa powder (optional)

Method:

Pour the water into a saucepan and bring to a simmer. Add the cinnamon, clove, tea powder and sugar.

Bring this to a boil. Add the cocoa powder and stir with a spoon ensuring no lumps are formed.

Pour in the milk and bring to a simmer stirring occasionally. Once completely heated, strain into a glass or cup. Top it with chocolate shavings or cocoa powder. Serve hot.

Vanilla Chai

The vanilla extract gives this chai recipe an irresistible aroma and silky smooth taste.

Ingredients:

1 teaspoon regular tea powder

2 cloves cardamom (elaichi)

2 teaspoons white sugar

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

½ cup water

½ cup milk

Whipped cream (optional)

All spice powder (garam masala) (optional)

Method:

Pour the water into a saucepan and bring to a simmer. Crush the cardamom pods in a mortar-pestle.

Add the crushed cardamom, tea powder and sugar.

Bring to a boil. Add the milk and vanilla extract. Stir occasionally.

Once heated, strain into a glass or cup. Top it with a dollop of whipped cream and a light sprinkle of all spice powder. Serve hot.

Also read: Benefits Of Drinking Green Tea

Orange Chai

We never thought chai could be made more refreshing than it already is, but with the addition of orange, it’s even more awakening and delicious.

Ingredients:

1 teaspoon regular tea powder

½ stick cinnamon (dalchini)

1 small orange zest

2 teaspoons honey or white sugar

½ cup water

½ cup milk

Sliced orange (optional)

1 stick cinnamon (optional)

All spice powder (garam masala) (optional)

Method

Pour the water into a saucepan and bring to a simmer. Add the cinnamon, tea powder, orange zest and sugar.

Bring to a boil. Add the milk and stir occasionally.

Once, the milk has boiled, turn off the heat and strain into a glass or cup.

Garnish with sliced orange and cinnamon stick if desired. You can also sprinkle a little all spice powder around the rim. Serve hot.

What are you waiting for! A true chai lover would definitely give these delectable chai recipes a try. Are you one of them?

Special Full Course Recipes For Valentine’s Day Celebrations

Do you want to make your partner feel special on this Valentine’s Day but are low on budget for it? Restaurants can be very expensive and crowded especially on occasions like these. So here are three amazing full course meal recipes to help you have the best and most romantic candle light dinner for your better half at home. They are easy to prepare and taste delicious. Just follow the simple steps and you too can be Master Chef for the love of your life!

Starter Recipe: Chicken Roulade
Ingredients are as follows –
1) 2 Chicken Breasts
2) 250 gms Chicken Mince
3) 2 Eggs
For Tart
4) 1 Blind baked tart
5) 200 gms Big Sweet Potatoes
6) 2 Baby Carrots
7) 50 gms Broccoli
For Sauce
8) 250 ml Chicken stock
9) 50 gms Butter
10) 100 gms Blue berries
11) 50 ml White wine (cooking)
12) Salt and pepper for seasoning

Spread the chicken breasts on baking sheets or cling films and pound it with the help of any heavy object or rolling pin/wooden chaka. In a separate bowl mix the mince, eggs and season it with salt and pepper. Stuff the chicken breasts with the mixture and make rolls of it. Tie it with the use of toothpicks. Preheat the oven at 450* degrees and bake the roulades for about 7-10 minutes until golden brown. For the sauce, Boil the chicken stock then add the blueberries and white wine and let it boil until it reduces to the consistency of a sauce. Take a pan, add butter and seasoning to roast the sweet potatoes. Once roasted peeled and mashed, fill the mashed potatoes in a piping bag and pipe it on the Tart. Saute the veggies and slice the Chicken Roulade. Place everything on a clean white plate, you can present the dish as shown in the picture below or can make your own style of presenting the dish.

Main Course : Vegetable Tangine with Cous Cous
Ingredients are as follows –
1) 100 gms Cous Cous
2) 50 gms bell peppers
3) Olive Oil (as per need)
4) 3 springs of Mint
Tangine
5) 100 gms Potatoes
6) 100 gms Carrots
7) 100 gms Chick Peas
8) 100 gms Aubergine
9) 100 gms Bell Peppers
10) 100 gms Zucchini
11) 200 ml Tamoto Sauce
12) 100 gms Olives
13) 50 gms Butter
14) Salt Pepper
15) Paprika
16) Star Anise
17) Ground Cinnamon
18) Cayenne Pepper
19) 20 gms ginger
20) Tumeric

Drizzle the Cous Cous with hot water and olive oil and let it steam for about 8 minutes. Once done add lemon juice, salt, pepper, mint, olives and toss. Keep it aside. For the Tangine, pour olive oil in a pot, add Star anise, Ground cinnamon, cayenne pepper and ginger. As your kitchen is filled with its aroma, add the veggies and stir. Saute the veggies properly then add tomato sauce/puree along with tumeric, paprika and butter. Finally season it with salt and pepper accordingly. Spread the Cous Cous in a bowl and place the Tangine right in the centre on the Cous Cous. Dinner is served.

Dessert : Chocolate Fudge
Ingredients are as follows –
1) 45 gms Dark Chocolate
2) 23 gms Butter
3) 1 Egg
4) 13 gms sugar
5) 1 teaspoon Cocoa Powder
6) 20 gms Flour
7) Half a teaspoon Baking powder
8) Half a teaspoon Baking soda
9) A pinch of Salt
10) 13 gms Chocolate Chips
11) Few drops of Vanilla essence
12) 5 gms coffee powder
13) Few fresh strawberries for garnish

Take butter, dark chocolate and melt it, keep it aside. Beat the eggs and sugar until fluffy. Take a separate bowl and add all the dry ingredients, Flour, Baking powder and soda, Cocoa powder and mix. Add this dry mixture to the Eggs and Sugar and mix with a spatula. Add vanilla essence along with melted butter and chocolate. Pour the mixture into moulds and place in the oven that is preheated 180* degrees. Keep it for 20 minutes or until, when you insert a skewer and it comes out clean. Place the Chocolate Fudge on a plate, drizzle some melted chocolate and freshly cut strawberries.

Here you go, your Valentine’s Day special dinner is ready to serve. It goes great with any kind of wine and lots of love.
Recipe Credits : Crowne Plaza Mayur Vihar.

Tickle Your Taste Buds With A Touch Of Love This Valentine’s With Amarula

Aspri Spirits, one of the leading importers and distributors of premium wines & spirits in India, presents exceptional cocktails for Valentine’s Day using globally the most popular liqueur, Amrula.
Amarula Cream originates from Africa and is a perfect drink to celebrate your love with your partner this Valentine’s. Enjoy it plain with ice or concoct a delicious cocktail, this drink will surely bring alive the romance & love. So entice your taste buds with these creamy cocktails.

Below are some recipes of the drink you can savour :

1) AMARULA STORM IN A SHORT
37.5ml Amarula Cream Liquor
Slash of fresh grated ginger and a turn of honey
15ml bourbon
50ml half and half (half cream and half milk)

2) AMARULA SPICED DRAM
35ml Amarula Cream Liquor
20ml spiced infused whiskey (clove, cinnamon, juniper, star anise & cardamom)

3) AMARULA CITRUS CRÈME
50ml Amarula Cream Liquor
20ml triple sec
Zest of an orange

4) ULA COFFEE SURPRISE
60ml Amarula Cream Liquor
Mug of strong filter coffee
50ml whipped cream
8 marshmallows
20ml brown sugar
20ml hot chocolate powder

5) AMARULA RED VELVET
30ml Amarula Cream Liquor
20ml Red Berry Vodka
20ml Beetroot juice
20ml white chocolate syrup
10ml grenadine

About ASPRI :

Aspri Spirits Pvt Ltd was established in 2004. The company today represents some of the finest brands in the world of Wines and Spirits and is one of the leading players in the imported alcoholic beverage segment. The company with its commitment to ensure highest quality standards focuses on the sales, marketing and distribution of its diverse portfolio and is dedicated to building premium international brands in travel retail and domestic markets across South Asia.

Here’s What Breakfast Looks Like Around The Globe

Breakfast Feast – Photographed on Hasselblad H3D2-39mb Camera

What’s the most important meal of the day? BREAKFAST! Keeping us healthy and sharp. But breakfast foods vary wildly from place to place. Americans are kinda obsessed with breakfast, to the point where we sometimes eat it for every meal of the day. Except for breakfast actually, as we overslept. All around the world, people eat comforting, filling meals to start their day. For some countries, breakfast means runny poached eggs with thick Greek yogurt and pita, and for others, chocolate-filled pastries. So, let’s take a look at what country is eating what:

1) America

The country obsessed with breakfast. Here people are either have cereals or eggs and toasts. Nothing more, nothing less! And let’s not forget their coffee.

2) Portuguese

Salted cod, egg, and potato baked casserole

3) China

A typical breakfast in eastern China can include items like dumplings, rice in vegetable soup, fried sponge cake, steamed creamy custard bun, and porridge.

4) Iran

In Iran a typical breakfast consists of sweet black tea, bread, butter, feta cheese, and sometimes fresh fruit and nuts.

5) France

French breakfast includes tea, coffee, juice, or hot chocolate, with bread and butter or pastries.

6) Australia

Australians love Vegemite enough to eat it every day. They also eat a lot of fruit and sometimes indulge in a full English breakfast.

7) Brazil

They love strong coffee and plate of ham, cheese, and bread to begin the day.

8) England

The fortifying English breakfast includes eggs, sausage, bacon, beans, mushrooms, and cooked tomato and tea of course!

9) India

India varies by region, but often you’ll find a tray like this one, crowded with chutneys, dips, and bread like dosa, roti, or idli.

10) Italy

No, they don’t eat pizza and pasta for breakfast! Many Italians begin their day with a cappuccino and brioche slathered with jam or stuffed with chocolate.

Which country’s breakfast would you like to try? 😛

Do You Know The Secret Powers Of These Spices?

“Add a little spice to your life”, is what we hear from people whenever our life gets boring; same is with food. To make any dish delicious, we add spice. Spices are simply the best thing in the world. It can make any food item so exciting, like Christmas in your mouth. Spices, not only do they add a touch of flavour and warmth into our food but many of them also have secret superhero abilities. The power to heal, to improve and to help us feel healthy both inside and out.
But what are these super spices and how exactly do they have an impact on our bodies?

1) Turmeric

Turmeric, the spice that gives curry powder its yellow hue, is used in Indian medicine to stimulate the appetite and as a digestive aid. But lately it’s grabbing some serious attention as a potentially powerful cancer fighter. The chemical responsible for turmeric’s golden color, called curcumin, is considered a top anticancer agent, helping to quell the inflammation that contributes to tumor growth and working in much the same way as broccoli and cauliflower to clear carcinogens away before they can damage cellular DNA and to repair already damaged DNA.

2) Cinnamon

Cinnamon is highly concentrated with the very potent antioxidant polyphenols. This high potency as an antioxidant allows for cinnamon to also be a powerful anti-inflammatory agent. It has also been linked to improving heart health, blood sugar reduction and having a powerful anti-diabetic effect. Cinnamaldehyde the main active ingredient in cinnamon may also help to fight various types of infection. It has been used to treat infection of the lungs by fungus, and can also inhibit the growth of certain bacteria, including Listeria and Salmonella.

3) Black Pepper

Putting black pepper on your food can be the easiest most affordable way to increase your health. As our food’s nutrient values decline and supplement costs increase using black pepper is a great way to maximize our nutrient absorption. Piperine is the main alkaloid found in pepper responsible for its remarkable ability to increase the bioavailability of nutrients and supplements. So dash on that black pepper! It is allowing for more of those vital nutrients, and vitamins to be absorbed by your body.

Also, check out this amazing article that gives us more insights about the spices world: Click Here

4) Rosemary

Rosemary is also a rich antioxidant and anti-inflammatory agent. However, it is more notably known for its link to neurological protection. Carnosic acid, found in rosemary has been found to fight off free radical damage in the brain. It has also been linked in keeping the brain from aging, and enhancing memory and concentration.

5) Ginger

When it comes to settling any digestive issues, our mothers always turn to ginger. However, what they may not realize that this popular spice can also help when you feel the burn after a workout. Studies have shown that people who consume just one teaspoon of ground ginger a day for 11 days saw a 25% reduction in the pain they felt after a workout. This is because it contains gingerol, a chemical that is thought to reduce inflammation and block pain signals being sent to brain.

6) Coriander

Coriander seeds yield cilantro, a staple herb in Mexican, Thai, Vietnamese, and Indian cooking. The seeds have been used for thousands of years as a digestive aid. Try making a strong tea from crushed seeds (strain before drinking). The herb can be helpful for some people with irritable bowel syndrome, as it calms intestinal spasms that can lead to diarrhea. Preliminary studies in animals support another traditional use for coriander-as an anti-anxiety herb. Its essential oil appears to fight bacteria, including E. coli and salmonella. It’s also being studied for its potential cholesterol-reducing benefits and has been shown to lower cholesterol in animals.

7) Fenugreek

Due to its estrogen-like properties, fenugreek seeds have been found to help lessen the effect of hot flashes and mood fluctuations that are common symptoms of menopause and PMS. In India and China it has also been used to treat arthritis, asthma, bronchitis, improve digestion, maintain a heathy metabolism, cure skin problems (wounds, rashes and boils), treat sore throat, and cure acid reflux. So a definite all rounder.

Hope these secret powers help you lead a healthy life 😀

These Food Items Is What Makes Janmashtami So Special

Janmashtami celebrates the birth of the world famous Hindu God, Krishna. The festival is different in that it is the child-God – Balkrishna- (bal– Sanskrit for the child) that is worshipped. While everyone is busy looking for Dahi Handis and chanting along with the crowd as they make the tallest human pyramid to break the handi with a coconut, my eyes are always on the food. A festival that includes food in its rituals also includes delicious treats in the kitchen. I’m sure just like I do, Y’all must be waiting for this day for the food that mom cooks, from breakfast to dinner, a whole special menu is decided to be cooked and served for the family. Let me share some of the best dishes my mother cooks on this day:

1) Sabudana Khichdi

Quite often, Janmashtami falls during the month of “Shravan”, so people are usually fasting during this period. So, Sabudana is the only thing that comes to mind when someone says FASTING. Making a simple yet full of flavours sabudana khichdi is not so easy task. What you need is, sabudana, peanuts, green chilies, sendha namak (rock salt) and ghee/oil.

2) Mishri Makkhan

You need only two ingredients and that is Mishri and fresh cream (homemade malai works too), and you’re good to go. Just pour the cream in a mixer and blend, The butter will form in a lump. Transfer in another container and refrigerate. Offer it to Mix it with Mishri.

3) Coconut Barfi

As told before, people usually fast on this day, so coconut barfi is an edible dish during fasting. This dish is pretty complex so let me explain you in detail:

Grate/crumble khoya and heat in a pan till the ghee separates. Add the coconut and sugar. Stir till the mix begins to come together and leave the sides. Essentially, the coconut juices should be reduced. Mix in the cardamom. You can also add in some almonds at this point if you like. Pour into a greased thali or plate and smoothen. Let cool, refrigerate if needed, till set. Cut with a sharp knife into diamonds or squares and ENJOY

4) Murukku

Murukku is typically made from rice and urad dal flour. The flours are mixed with water, salt, asafoetida and either sesame seeds or cumin seeds. The mix is kneaded into a dough, which is shaped into spiral or coil shapes either by hand or using a mold. In simple terms, it is famously known as chaklis which is savored by many.

5) Badam Kheer

One of my favorite desserts, Badam kheer is a real winner. It is a sweet and creamy Indian dessert made from badam (almonds) and milk as base ingredients with a slight touch of ghee, saffron and cardamom powder for extra flavour. The addition of Saffron is what makes this dish so special, it is the touch of aromatic flavor also a creamy texture to the dish which makes it even more so special.

Let us know how you celebrate this day or what special you cook on this day to celebrate the birth of Krishna 😀

What Day Is It? It’s National Gingerbread House Day!

I think I speak for all when I say Gingerbreads are synonymous with “holidays are approaching”. Can you think of a scent so warm, comforting and ah!, so delicious that your mouth start watering. Gingerbread was first baked in Europe around the 11th century when Crusaders brought ginger as well as other new and exotic spices back from the Middle East. At first, gingerbread was mainly baked by Catholic monks and used in religious ceremonies, but over time it became more and more popular throughout the continent.

The Germans started the tradition of baking a house out of gingerbread around the holidays in the 16th century, but the practice didn’t become as popular as it is now until the publication of a certain fairy tale a few centuries later. German immigrants to America brought the gingerbread house tradition across the ocean with them, and now we see it everywhere, from home kitchens to department store holiday window displays.

People in Europe had been eating gingerbread for centuries, but we can thank the Brothers Grimm for the popularity of gingerbread houses. They published Hansel and Gretel in the 19th century—remember that one? It’s the fairy tale where a witch lures a brother and sister duo into captivity with her house made out of gingerbread and candy, and then tries to fatten them up to eat them. The story became immensely popular in Germany, and people started baking gingerbread houses at the holidays as a result.

So, let’s celebrate this day with baking loads of Gingerbreads with the help of this traditional Gingerbread recipe:

Ingredients:

150g Unsalted butter, cubed
1/2 cup (125ml) golden syrup
1/2 cup (110g) firmly packed brown sugar
1 teaspoon bicarbonate of soda
3 cups (450g) plain flour
1 tablespoon ground ginger
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1 egg, lightly whisked
Writing fudge, to decorate
Rainbow choc chips, to decorate

Method:

Preheat oven to 180°C. Line 2 large oven trays with baking paper.

Place butter, golden syrup and sugar in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Cook, stirring, for 3 minutes or until sugar dissolves. Bring to the boil. Remove from heat. Add bicarbonate of soda and stir to combine. Transfer to a large heatproof bowl. Set aside to cool.

Sift flour, ginger, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves and baking powder over butter mixture. Add the egg and stir until combined. Turn onto a lightly floured surface and gently knead until smooth. Divide dough into two portions. Shape each portion into a disc and cover with plastic wrap. Place in the fridge for 45 minutes or until firm.

Roll one portion between 2 sheets of baking paper until 5mm thick. Using a 6-7cm Christmas pastry cutters, cut shapes from dough, re-rolling scraps. Place on the lined trays, 3cm apart to allow for spreading. Repeat with remaining gingerbread portion.

Bake in the preheated oven, 1 tray at a time, for 8 minutes or until just firm to touch. Remove from oven and set aside on trays for 5 minutes to cool before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely. Decorate gingerbread using writing fudge and rainbow choc chips, if desired.

Now, you can use these Gingerbreads to make your own cute little or big house and celebrate this day with your family and friends.

Happy National Gingerbread House Day to all <3

Recipes To Keep You Hydrated This Summer

Summer brings with it so many things. Hot temperature, hot dry winds during the afternoon, dry weather etc. All in one, less water in the surroundings. This leads to excess perspiration in our body too which again leads to dehydration. Dehydration can be harmful as it gives way too dizziness, dry mouth, lethargy. According to Doctors around the world, one must consume at least 2.5 Litres of fluids every day during summer, to avoid dehydration. The reason I mentioned ‘fluids’ is because drinking water is not the only answer. Soups, juices, smoothies come under fluids too, which in turn can help increase the body’s water level.

Here, I present you with healthy & quick on-the-go recipes which will help you regain your body fluid level! Stay hydrated!

1. Salads
Try to increase your salad intake as much as possible. Use vegetables like Cucumbers, lettuce, tomatoes, bell peppers, green cabbage, radishes to make a scrumptious vegetable salad. Also, fruits like strawberries, pineapples, oranges, raspberry, watermelons, etc can contribute to your fluid intake.

2. Smoothies
If eating fruits is just not your cup-of-tea, then you swoosh the fruits in a mixer, add sugar, milk, & gulp it down! Then you are good to go for your daily routine! You can even carry it with you wherever you go!

3. Lemonade Popsicle
Take water, lemon juice, sugar, some salt & pepper & prepare lemonade. Now you have two choices: drink the lemonade right away! Or else, pour the lemonade into popsicle tray & refrigerate it for few hours. Voila! Lemonade popsicle is here to quench your thirst!

4. Avocado Fruit Salad With Chia Yogurt Dressing
Grapefruit, pear, orange, mango, and strawberries are all water-filled fruits. Greek yogurt is also about 80 percent water, and chia seeds help the body soak it all in. After all that, the avocado adds some healthy fats to fill you up.

5. Coconut Water

There’s nothing better than a refreshing sip of coconut water down your throat. It is not only refreshing for your body but also has various health benefits!

For now, these recipes are capable of hydrating you & make you summer ready. Try them & let us know if you have more of such healthy & tasty recipes to kick off this summer!

Kimchi- The Korean Powerhouse

Kimchi is a traditional Korean dish. One will find big jars of kimchi in every Korean household. The dish is made up of napa cabbage (a variety of cabbages) and Korean radish along with other fermented and salted vegetables and topped with chili powder and fish sauce.

Many Indians eat it in the form of salad sans the fish sauce and it is considered a vegetarian probiotic food. Kimchi is rich in vitamins A and C. Due to its fermentation process, it is also rich in gut boosting lactobacilli bacteria.

So in case, you are bored of eating your regular salads, why not try kimchi for a change? Its tangy flavor is sure to have a lingering effect on your taste buds.

Steps to make Kimchi

– Shred the cabbage finely, chop the green onions along with garlic cloves and ginger. Add the onions and cabbage in a large bowl. Take a separate bowl, add vinegar, red chilli powder, soy sauce and powdered sugar. Mix it well and then transfer this in a blender jar. Blend it well.

– Now, add the chopped garlic, ginger along with olive oil in the blender. Blend it well and add salt and black pepper in it. Blend it again and once done, add this dressing over the shredded cabbage and onions. Toss it well. Cover it with a cling film and place the bowl in the fridge.

Serve it chilled to enjoy!