Kandhe Khas Khas

We  all have  that one  traditional dish, passed on generations after generations.  No matter however trendy the food gets, you always yearn for that delicious dish. Khande Khas Khas is one of them.  'Khande' meaning onions and 'Khas Khas' meaning poppy seeds, this dish is made of chana dal cooked with cubed onions and poppy seeds paste.  This recipe may differ from one family to another. My mother follows this, while my Mother-in-law avoids poppy seeds paste and cooks chana dal with onions.  But, I guarantee you will love this dish and make them quite often.  Combine them with roti or dosa, though they taste best with roti.

Please note that it is a spicy dish.  I have prepared them lightly spiced because my kid doesn't like too much of spice.  If you are preparing for your family, I suggest you add more chilly powder, accordingly.  

Chocolate babka muffins

Chocolate babka muffins are yeast-raised muffins, that have an delecious chocolate filling, topped by streusel (an mixture of butter-flour-sugar, topped over bread in order to get an 'crumbly' effect)

 The word, 'Babka' is derived from word, 'baba' also known as grandmother in Polish (from Poland).  The original derivative of this sweet yeast-raised bread were known to be stout and round, hence the name.  Lateron, these were twisted and baked on loaf pan with an filling of cinnamon flavoured chocolate.  Slowly, this muffins originated from traditional loafs.   Instead of baking them as loafs and slicing them,  an effective method of slicing the dough (before baking) and transferring into individual muffin trays was done.

The rich taste of flaky, buttery dough combined with delecious chocolate filling, did win many hearts back at home. To my surprise, my not-so-chocolate-lover hubby, loved them totally.  I couldn't have asked for more :)  All thanks to Tamy and Swathi Iyer for this wonderful challenge.  

The Ultimate Indian Masala Chai Recipe: A Cozy, Healing Evening Ritual

Masala tea is a deeply refreshing and comforting beverage, especially on windy evenings when you need something to warm you from the inside out. Prepared by adding an exotic blend of traditional Indian spices—with fragrant cardamom and warming ginger leading the flavor profile—this authentic brew does more than just taste incredible. It also carries potent medicinal benefits, making it an excellent, time-tested natural remedy to soothe a cold and sore throat.

Here is how you can easily brew this aromatic spice-infused tea right at home.

Ingredients You’ll Need

For the Homemade Chai Spice Mix:

7-8 green cardamom pods (for that signature sweet aroma)
1-inch cinnamon piece
2-3 whole cloves
2-3 black peppercorns (adds a subtle, healing kick)
1/2 tsp fennel seeds (sombu)
1/2 tsp star anise
1/2 tsp dry ginger powder (optional)

For Brewing the Tea:

1/2 cup water
1/2 cup milk
1 tsp black tea leaves/powder (such as 3 Roses or your preferred blend)
2 tsp fresh ginger, finely chopped
1 tsp sugar (adjust to taste)

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Step-by-Step Method

Craft the Spice Blend: Lightly dry roast all the ingredients listed under the spice mix in a small pan until fragrant. Transfer them to a mortar and pestle and crush them into a coarse powder.
Heat the Liquid Base: In a tea pan, combine 1/2 cup of milk and 1/2 cup of water and bring it to a gentle heat.
Infuse the Aromatics: Turn down the heat to a simmer. Add the finely chopped fresh ginger, your freshly crushed spice mix, and the sugar to the pan.
Add the Tea: Finally, stir in your black tea powder. Let the mixture simmer on low for two minutes, allowing the tea to fully infuse with the rich spices and milk.
Strain and Serve: Pour the liquid through a fine strainer directly into your favorite mug.

Enjoy your hot, steaming cup of comfort!

There is nothing quite like a hot cup of authentic Indian Masala Chai to slow down a busy day. By blending everyday kitchen spices like cardamom, cloves, and ginger, you create a powerful drink that boosts immunity, fights off seasonal colds, and wraps you in pure comfort. Try whipping up this quick recipe tonight, put on your favorite music, and let the rich aroma transform your evening.