Iced Hazelnut Masala Chai Latte and a Giveaway

This giveaway is now closed! The winner is Zainu. The winner will be contacted shortly and will have to respond with an address within 48 hours, if not another winner will be chosen. Thank you all for participating.

We left home rather prepared. It was July after all and the Indian monsoon showers could knock any time now. With a translucent crumbled rain coat and a few neon red bags of potato chips, a custom my sister has accustomed us all to follow while riding a bike with her, we headed to the explore the country side.

Half way through our journey it came. An outburst of seemingly heavy rain hushed away as soon as it appeared but left us all dripping. Ek kadak garma garam chai (a strong hot tea) is what we wanted as we shivered on the bike, the wind chilling us to the bones. Luckily, a tea stall is never a few minutes away in India. Some crispy pakoras (deep fried vegetable fritters) tucked in a greasy newspaper in one hand and hot tea in another, we aahed in delight.

For years in my mind having a chai cold contradicted  the very idea of having chai in first place. This soul warming beverage that I grew up though drank all year round was always served hot. 

It was not until years ago a tiny and nervous looking waitress got my order for drinks wrong that I accidentally tasted my first iced chai latte. There was vanilla, boldness of cardamom, light pepperiness of star anise and a subtle and soothing chai flavor. This was not a strong chai gone cold that my father would get mad about instead it was mild, milky and frothy blend of good things.

So when I saw the Sweet Hazelnut Masala Chai recipe on The Green Kitchen Cookbook, I made it instantly having never tried chai with hazelnut milk. It had all the spices I look for in an iced chai, and though their recipe is for hot beverage, it has easily turned into my favorite cold beverage lately.

David and Luise's book is full of beautiful recipes and photos, much like their blog Green Kitchen Stories. Knowing their love for Indian food I was not surprised to find my Indian inspired recipes and good use of spices all through out the book. There are just so many wonderful ideas and inspiration one can get from this book, it would be a shame not to share. The authors were kind enough to send a signed copy for my readers!

Here's what you have to do to win a signed copy of The Green Kitchen - Delicious and Healthy Vegetarian Recipes for Every Day

- Leave a comment on this post mentioning your favorite vegetarian recipe.

For extra entries (Leave a separate comment for each of your entries)

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If you already follow me on twitter and facebook or have subscribed, you can still leave a comment stating the same as it counts as an entry.

This giveaway is open worldwide and ends on 15th Sept 2013. The winner will be chosen randomly.

Iced Hazelnut Masala Chai Latte

Adapted from The Green Kitchen Cookbook

Ingredients

2 cinnamon sticks

6 cloves

6 cardamom pod, split*

2 star anise

1 slice of fresh ginger

1 tsp vanilla

1 tbsp black or green tea leaves

1-2 tbsp palm sugar

1 cup hazelnut milk or almond milk

1/2 cup water

Note

* Crush the seeds into a powder for extra flavor

Method

Put water and the spices in a saucepan and gently bring to a boil, then reduce the heat and let simmer for 15 minutes. Remove from heat, add the tea and sugar and steep for 5 minutes.

Strain out the spices and tea.

Add the nut milk and stir well. 

Pour about 1/2 cup of the chai into ice cube trays to make flavored ice. Chilly the remaining tea.

While serving, blend the ice cubes with the remaining chai and serve immediately.

Tip: To create froth move the tea back and forth between two glasses or just fill it up in a jar with lid and give it a good shake!