This Chicken Soup improves immunity and helps during a flu or cold. Ingredients 1 lb or 4 chicken drumsticks 2 Tomatoes chopped 1 large red onion sliced 2 inch piece of cinnamon stick 2 tsp Ginger Garlic paste (adoo lasan) 1 tsp salt or to taste (optional can omit for a low sodium diet) 1 […]
PARSI SAMBHAR MASALA Makes about 2 cups Red chilli powder – 3/4 cup Salt – 2 tbsp Ground turmeric – 1 tbsp Asafoetida – 2 tsp Fenugreek seeds – 1/2 cup Brown Mustard seeds – 2 tbs Peppercorns – 1 tsp Star Anise – 1 tsp, broken pieces Cloves – 1 tsp Cinnamon – 1 […]
Serves 6 Ingredients Spice ingredients for one pot of tea: 1/2 of a star anise star 10-12 whole cloves 7 whole allspice or 1/4 tsp ground allspice powder *See photo below 1 heaping teaspoon of cinnamon bark (or 2 short sticks) 7 whole white peppercorns 1 cardamon pod opened to the seeds Other ingredients: 1 […]
Thanksgiving Turkey 🦃 series – Final Day 3
Today, the beginning of thanksgiving week, we are thankful for everyone & everything in our lives 💖🙏💝 It is starting to smell like Thanksgiving in our home. We have started the brining process for the turkey. Thanksgiving Turkey 🦃 series – Day 1 Brine the bird Wash the turkey well, rinse and add the brine […]
Thanksgiving Turkey 🦃 series – Day 2 Flip the bird and stuff it.
Wash and Chop 2 long sticks of Celery.
Saute in 1 tsp of oil for 3 minutes. Cool.
Take out the Turkey from refrigerator.
Flip the bird in the pot and open the cavity.
Fill the cavity with sauted celery.
Cover pot and put it in the refrigerator.
Red hot mutton cooked to perfection amid sizzling hot spices, crowned with beautiful golden potato shreds. (Salli) by Rita Jamshed Kapadia Ingredients 4-5 Tbsp of oil 1 bowl of chopped onions 2 Tbsp ginger garlic paste 300 gm of boneless mutton or chicken 1 tsp red chilli powder 1/2 tsp of turmeric powder 1 1/2 […]
Tomato and Eggs go well together. A parsi favorite anyday. Served with toast on the side is my favorite way to enjoy this classic. It is a sweet and spicy dish with ginger, garlic and hot peppers. Recipe INGREDIENTS 1 lb ripe tomatoes 1 tsp. salt Grind together l/2 tsp. cumin seeds 8 cloves garlic […]
Ingredients: 3 lbs Chicken, Lamb, Goat meat or Mutton pieces Shan Bombay Biryani Seasoning Mix 1 teaspoon ginger paste 1 teaspoon garlic paste 1 cup yogurt 1/2 teaspoon red chili powder (cayenne pepper) 1 teaspoon dhana-jeera powder (coriander-cumin) 1/2 teaspoon black pepper 1/2 cup milk 1/8 tsp of Saffron 1/4 cup oil 1 cinnamon stick […]
Ingredients 6 – 8 Salmon Fillets 2 tsp Red Chilli powder 2 tsp turmeric 1 tsp Salt Olive Oil as needed Baking Dish Prepared Creamy Coconut Chutney Method – Assemble the Baked Salmon Dish: Spread Olive oil in a baking dish. Mix turmeric, red pepper and salt over 4 salmon fillets. Spread a thick layer of […]
Dhanshak Masala Dhansak Masala Powder Ingredients Method Check and clean all Ingredients for debris and keep in sunlight for 1 day. Roast on Tava taking care to prevent scorching. Cool. Then grind into a powder in a Ninja Machine or Masala chakki. Let the Masala cool. Sieve and fill in airtight containers. When ready to use […]
INGREDIENTS 2 pounds skinless, boneless chicken breasts, halved lengthwise 6 garlic cloves, finely grated 4 teaspoons finely grated peeled ginger 4 teaspoons ground turmeric 2 teaspoons garam masala 2 teaspoons ground coriander 2 teaspoons ground cumin 1½ cups whole-milk yogurt 1 tablespoon kosher salt 3 tablespoons ghee (clarified butter) or vegetable oil 1 small onion, […]
The place of Tea in Indian Culture
Indians love tea, they are crazy about it – and they even have a special word for it – chai.
India is one of the largest tea growers in the world. Tea is grown in the north and the south – in exotic places like Munnar in Kerala, Darjeeling, Assam, and Nilgiri Mountains. The tea gardens are a sight to see. Beautiful terraces are carved into the earth and from far they look like manicured gardens. Tea from Darjeeling and Assam is world famous for its aroma and taste.
Tea was introduced in India by the British during early 1900’s, those were early days of the British Raj. Large swaths of land were converted for mass tea-production. Ironically, the British introduced tea in India to break the Chinese monopoly. Tea was originally consumed by the westernized Indians, but it became widely popular over time. Today, looking at the popularity of tea one cannot tell of its origins from China.
But the story of story of tea in India goes beyond the tea gardens in exotic mountains and valleys, covered with mist and lush greenery. Tea is woven intricately into the Indian social fabric.
Chai is the common equalizer in India – from the rich to the poor. No matter what their position in life, an Indian relishes a cup of tea. The rich ones have their tea served in fancy tea-pots, delicate porcelain cups on well laid out tables with cookies and pastries. The not-so-affluent have it in more humble settings. But the joy and satisfaction is the same.
No matter where you go in India, even the remote village, you are likely to find a tea-stall, with a Chai-walla brewing the concoction, squeezing every last flavor. There is always a crowd of eager and tired folks waiting patiently for their chai. Tea re-vitalizes your body. It is a great anti-oxidant.
India has one of the largest railway networks in the world. Every train station has tea-stalls. Hawkers carry tea-buckets doling out hot cups to weary travelers as the trains pull into the train stations. One of my enduring memories growing up in India is traveling on the train in the sleeper-coach and waking up to the lilting calls of the tea-hawkers.
There are many stories of how tea brings people together. When you visit friends – tea and snacks are probably the most common offering. A cup of tea bonds friendships and heals differences. A guest rejecting an offer of a cup of tea may even hurt their feelings. The ultimate bonding is sharing a cup of tea – between two people – albeit in different saucers. When you visit a commercial establishment, as a sign of respect for the customer, tea is offered. Read more in my cookbook for Tea.
Recently, I was invited to speak and present “The Place of Tea in Indian Culture and the Kerala Tea Gardens” at the Boston Athenaeum. Here is a short synopsis. I am delighted that my Cookbooks were displayed and showcased in the museum! Thanks Hannah Weisman! Hannah is the Director of Education at Boston Athenaeum.
The museum is a historical place and encourages historical books. The Boston Athenaeum is steeped in history. Founded in 1807, the Boston Athenæum is one of the oldest and most distinguished independent libraries and cultural institutions in the United States.
Tea / Chai Recipes:
Ginger Tea
Masala Chai
Parsi Chai
Cardamom Tea
Teas of India Cookbook
More on The place of Tea in Indian Culture on ParsiCuisine.com
A cup of tea shared with another person is known to create a new karma each time. So next time you have a cup of tea with someone, have good thoughts, and share good words. Health value: Antioxidant Removes Headaches, Muscle aches, soothes and relaxes. Ingredients: 2 cups water 4 tea bags, black tea 2 […]
Dhansak Masala Powder Ingredients: 1 Kg. Coriander seeds (Dhanya seeds) 200 grms Cumin (Jeera Seeds) 100 grms Black Pepper (Kali Mirchi) 100 grms Fenugreek seeds (Methi seeds) (Omit if you are allergic to fenugreek) 100 grms Black Mustard seeds (Rai) 300 grms Red Chilies 200 grms Haldi (Turmeric powder) 50 grms Tej Patta (Tamal Patta) […]
