Handvo, Coriander Mint Chutney and Masala Chai

Ingredients

• 2 cup Coriander Leaves (Packed, with tender stems)
• 1 cup Mint Leaves (Packed, stems discarded)
• 3 whole Green Chilies (Adjust to your spice preference)
• 1 inch Ginger (Peeled and roughly chopped)
• 3 clove Garlic (Peeled)
• 2 tbsp Roasted Chana Dal (Also known as Dalia or Bhuna Chana)
• 2 tbsp Lemon Juice (Freshly squeezed for best flavor)
• 0.5 tsp Chaat Masala
• 0.5 tsp Black Salt (Also known as Kala Namak)
• 0.5 tsp Sugar (Optional, helps balance the tanginess)
• 0.25 tsp Salt (Adjust to taste)
• 3 whole Ice Cubes (Or use 3-4 tbsp of ice-cold water)

Instructions

1. 1

   Prepare the Herbs (3 minutes)

   • Thoroughly wash the coriander and mint leaves under cold running water to remove any grit or dirt.
   • Pluck the mint leaves from their stems; discard the thicker stems as they can be bitter.
   • For the coriander, use both the leaves and the tender upper stems, which are packed with flavor. Roughly chop the bunch.
2. 2

   Combine Ingredients in Blender (2 minutes)

   • Place the washed coriander and mint leaves into a high-speed blender jar.
   • Add the green chilies (broken in half), chopped ginger, garlic cloves, roasted chana dal, lemon juice, chaat masala, black salt, sugar (if using), and salt.
3. 3

   Blend to a Smooth Paste (2 minutes)

   • Add the ice cubes or 3 tablespoons of ice-cold water. Using ice is highly recommended as it prevents the herbs from oxidizing and helps maintain a vibrant green color.
   • Blend for 1-2 minutes, scraping down the sides of the jar as needed, until you achieve a completely smooth, uniform paste.
   • Avoid over-blending, as the heat from the motor can darken the chutney. If the mixture is too thick, add one more tablespoon of cold water and pulse briefly to combine.

Ingredients

• 2 cup Water
• 2 cup Whole Milk (For a rich, creamy texture.)
• 4 tsp Assam Black Tea Leaves (Or any other strong black tea.)
• 1 inch Fresh Ginger (Peeled and coarsely crushed.)
• 4 pods Green Cardamom Pods (Lightly crushed to open them.)
• 1 inch Cinnamon Stick
• 4 pcs Cloves
• 5 pcs Black Peppercorns (Lightly crushed.)
• 4 tsp Sugar (Adjust to taste.)

Instructions

1. 1

   Prepare the spices. Using a mortar and pestle or the back of a spoon, lightly crush the green cardamom pods, cloves, and black peppercorns. Coarsely crush the peeled ginger.

2. 2

   In a medium saucepan, combine 2 cups of water with the crushed ginger, cardamom pods, cinnamon stick, cloves, and peppercorns. Bring the mixture to a rolling boil over medium-high heat. Once boiling, reduce the heat to low and let it simmer for 5-7 minutes. This step is crucial for infusing the water with the spice flavors.

3. 3

   Add the black tea leaves to the simmering spice decoction. Allow it to brew for 2 minutes, or until the liquid turns a deep, dark color.

4. 4

   Pour in the 2 cups of milk and add the sugar. Increase the heat to medium and bring the chai to a gentle simmer, stirring occasionally. Be careful not to let it boil over. Simmer for another 2-3 minutes until the chai reaches a rich, creamy brown color.

5. 5

   Turn off the heat. Strain the chai through a fine-mesh sieve directly into serving cups. For a traditional frothy top, you can pour the chai back and forth between the saucepan and another heatproof vessel a few times before serving. Serve immediately.