Saffron Sheermal, Noon Chai and Boiled Egg

Ingredients

• 2 tbsp Kashmiri Green Tea Leaves
• 4 cup Water (for brewing)
• 0.25 tsp Baking Soda (a small pinch)
• 4 pods Green Cardamom (lightly crushed)
• 1 piece Star Anise
• 1 cup Cold Water (for shocking the tea)
• 2 cup Milk (full-fat recommended)
• 0.5 tsp Salt (adjust to taste)
• 1 tbsp Pistachios (slivered, for garnish)
• 1 tbsp Almonds (slivered, for garnish)

Instructions

1. 1

   Brew the Tea Concentrate (Kehwa)

   • In a saucepan, combine 4 cups of water, Kashmiri green tea leaves, baking soda, crushed green cardamom, and star anise.
   • Bring the mixture to a rolling boil over medium-high heat.
   • Once boiling, reduce the heat to a low simmer. Let it cook uncovered for about 15-20 minutes, or until the liquid reduces by half. The concentrate will develop a deep, reddish-brown color.
2. 2

   Shock and Aerate the Tea

   • Pour 1 cup of cold water into the simmering concentrate. This temperature shock is crucial for activating the chemical reaction that creates the pink color.
   • Bring the mixture back to a boil over medium heat.
   • Using a large ladle, begin to aerate the tea. Scoop the liquid and pour it back into the pot from a height of about 10-12 inches. Repeat this process vigorously for 4-5 minutes. You will see the color transform from reddish-brown to a clearer, pinkish hue.
3. 3

   Add Milk and Season

   • Strain the tea concentrate through a fine-mesh sieve into a clean pot to remove the tea leaves and whole spices.
   • Place the pot with the strained concentrate on the stove over medium-low heat.

Ingredients

• 4 pieces Large Eggs
• 6 cups Water (enough to cover eggs by 1 inch)
• 0.5 tsp Salt (optional, for the boiling water)
• 2 cups Ice Cubes (for the ice bath)

Instructions

1. 1

   Prepare the Eggs

   • Gently place 4 large eggs in a single layer in a medium saucepan.
   • Add 6 cups of cold water, ensuring the eggs are covered by at least 1 inch.
   • Stir in 0.5 tsp of salt if using. This helps prevent cracking.
2. 2

   Bring to a Boil

   • Place the saucepan on high heat and bring the water to a full, rolling boil. This should take about 5-7 minutes.
3. 3

   Cook Off-Heat

   • Once the water is boiling, immediately turn off the heat and cover the pan with a tight-fitting lid.
   • Let the eggs stand in the hot water for the desired doneness:
   • Soft-Boiled (runny yolk): 4-5 minutes
   • Medium-Boiled (jammy yolk): 6-8 minutes
   • Hard-Boiled (firm yolk): 10-12 minutes
4. 4

   Create Ice Bath and Cool Eggs

   • While the eggs are cooking, fill a large bowl with 2 cups of ice cubes and cold water.
   • Using a slotted spoon, carefully transfer the cooked eggs from the saucepan to the ice bath.
   • Let them cool for at least 5 minutes. This step is crucial as it stops the cooking process and makes peeling much easier.
5. 5

   Peel and Serve

   • Gently tap an egg on a hard surface and roll it between your palms to crackle the shell all over.
   • Peel under cool running water, starting from the wider end where the air pocket is.
   • Serve immediately or store in the refrigerator for later use.