Just thought I'd share one of my new favorite things as of three nights ago! I found this Spiced Chai Concentrate recipe on Tasty Kitchen, and had to try it. So many times I find myself craving a cup of chai but don't want to go through all of the trouble of making it. This recipe is wonderful because you spend the time to make it once and then you have the stuff to make yourself a hot (or iced, my favorite right now!) cup of chai in seconds. Chances are, if you cook (especially any sort of ethnic food), you'll have a lot of these ingredients on hand like we did. I've been mixing myself a glass before work in the mornings and it is perfect! So here's the recipe. I personally doubled it, and put the concentrate in 3 mason jars with lids.
- 4-½ cups Water - 1 stick Cinnamon (I added more, I love cinnamon) - 1 piece Fresh Ginger Chopped (I used about an inch chunk) - 7 whole Cardamom Pods (I used black but I think green would be better) - 2 whole Star Anise Pods - 10 whole Cloves - ¼ teaspoons Freshly Ground Black Pepper - ½ teaspoons Freshly-ground Nutmeg - 10 teaspoons Green Or Black Tea Or 10 Tea Bags - ⅔ cups Brown Sugar - 1 Tablespoon Honey - 1 Tablespoon Vanilla (I added a splash more!)
Bring the water to a boil in a pot. Add the spices and the tea/tea bags, remove from heat, and steep for about 15-20 minutes (I did 20, it depends on how strong you want it). Strain with a fine mesh strainer to catch all of the grains and bits, and while it's still hot add the brown sugar, honey, and vanilla. Pour into seal-able containers and cool.
To enjoy, add one part concentrate to one part heated milk, or do the same over ice! If you want your chai stronger, try two parts concentrate to one part milk.
1. goodbye, 2010! you were an awesome year for us, but i'm also excited about what 2011 will hold. although there are so many things that will, Lord-willing, be happening in the coming years, i wish time would just slow down. i love right now. even though right now isn't perfect and is difficult at times, i love seeing Him at work, and love what He is doing.
2. Colin and i have had Sufjan's Christmas albums for years, but for some reason i've never really noticed this song. i love it. i love it. i love it and i can't stop listening to it. It's on Vol. V of his Songs for Christmas albums.
3. this article about David Bazan and his walking away from the faith/first solo album (he used to be a part of Pedro the Lion) Curse Your Branches (which is described as a, "harrowing breakup record—except he's dumping God, Jesus, and the evangelical life"). really sad. raises a lot of questions in my mind..
4. so, i love world market. we've talked about this before. most of all (well, besides their rugs, throw pillows, and curtains... haha), i love their glass moroccan-style lanterns. i picked up a few in various shapes, sizes and colors this past week since they were on sale, and am really excited to find a spot for them to hang in our little place! if only i had a back patio, i would string the smaller ones up outside.
5. Also, i made this last night for Colin and I... and we can't stop thinking about it, it's that good. this Spicy Shrimp recipe is a meal fit for the summer, with good friends sitting around a newspaper-covered table. highly recommend you make this! don't forget the toasted french bread with it!
6.. thank you, all, for the affirmation we have received on this blog (whether it be in person, personal messages, facebook, comments...). it has surprised me that people like to read our thoughts and about our life and find it interesting and encouraging, but we are so glad! i think the next post we write together will be on why we blog. anyways, thanks guys!
a) have netflix and can watch hoarders all day. b) are allowed to sleep in way late and not feel guilty. c) have a super duper husband who takes care of you (and even cooks!). d) don't have a job/school to worry about.
2. also, random thought: i have never, ever experienced the sponsored/weirdly decorated crown vic thing until moving to Columbia. As of now I have seen a tweety bird car, a starburst car, a tony the tiger car, a milky way car, and... Colin and I's favorite.. a Child's Play Chucky doll car. yes. this man has two possessed Chucky dolls hanging out of the back windows of his car. cool, right? anybody else seen any good ones around Columbia?
3. i love to cook. i never really had the chance before and didn't know how much i love it, but i do. one of my favorite things is finding a new recipe that sounds good and just doing it. i love the type of recipes that are quick and easy with few ingredients as well as the more demanding ones (like many indian dishes, which require grinding your own spices and all of that). i will say, though, for beginners, the pioneer woman has been fantastic help since being married. first off, she is hilarious. second, she details the cooking process as well as posting pictures of what each step looks like. this woman can cook for sure! here are some of the things we've made of hers and enjoyed:
4. also, i know you read this blog. yes, you. not by name, necessarily, but we get a good number of hits on this thing so don't be a creeper and lurk around without saying something. not only that, but a lot of people come up to us in real life and say things like "i read that on your blog"...etc. so, like i said, don't be a creeper! make your presence known! we love comments!
i leave you with this. my favorite song by one of my favorite artists.
