Masala Chai / Mixed Spice Tea

Hi Friends ..
Harsh weather and record breaking cold in North India . Getting up in the morning and going for work is nothing else but a big punishment for all of us. Don't feel like leaving our cosy cosy bed-quilts...
But what a kick-start of the day when you wake up and get a hot cup of tea .....YAWWW. Feels like sitting in Heaven and enjoying.
Adding Masala in the chai just like cherry on the cake....

Ingredients:
2 cups of water
1 cup of milk
2 tsp of sugar (1/2 tsp of sugar per cup) you can add sweetener acc.to taste
A pinch of tea masala
2 tsp dried tea leaves of your choice ( I prefer Red label)

For Masala:
1/4 cup cinnamon stick 

1/4 cup black peppercorns
1/8 cup cloves
1/4 cup green cardamom

5-6 black cardamoms
1/4 cup dry ginger powder (saunth)
1//4 cup fennel seeds 

For Masala:

• Roast the cinnamon, cloves, black pepper, cardamom, and black cardamom on tawa/ griddle for 5-7 mins.
• Remove from fire and keep it aside till it cools completely.
• Grind to make a fine powder, add dry ginger powder. Mix well.
• Store in an air-tight container.
• Use a pinch to make tea or milk.

Method:

1. Boil water in heavy bottomed pan.
2. Add a pinch of masala. Keep it on low flame for 2-3 mins.
3. Now add sugar and dried tea leaves. Boil again for 2-3 mins.
4. Add milk. Now increase the flame and bring it to boil.
5. The froth and the tea leaves will come up, keep it on low flame for 1-2 mins.
6. Remove from fire and strain it.
7. Serve hot with your favourite cookies.

Note: You can use the same masala in a glass of hot milk too.