Sunny Side Up, Suji Toast and Masala Chai

Ingredients

• 1 cup Rava (Fine semolina works best for a smooth texture)
• 8 slice Bread Slices (Whole wheat or brown bread recommended)
• 0.5 cup Curd (Plain, slightly sour yogurt)
• 1 medium Onion (Finely chopped)
• 1 medium Tomato (Deseeded and finely chopped)
• 0.5 medium Capsicum (Finely chopped)
• 2 whole Green Chili (Finely chopped, adjust to your spice preference)
• 1 inch Ginger (Freshly grated)
• 2 tbsp Coriander Leaves (Freshly chopped)
• 0.25 tsp Turmeric Powder
• 0.5 tsp Red Chili Flakes (Optional, for extra heat)
• 0.125 tsp Hing (A small pinch of asafoetida)
• 0.75 tsp Salt (Adjust to taste)
• 3 tbsp Ghee (For frying, can be substituted with oil)
• 0.25 cup Water (As needed to adjust batter consistency)

Instructions

1. 1

   Prepare the Batter

   • In a large mixing bowl, combine 1 cup of rava, 1/2 cup of curd, and 1/4 cup of water. Mix well to form a thick paste without lumps.
   • Add the finely chopped onion, deseeded tomato, capsicum, green chilies, grated ginger, and coriander leaves to the bowl.
   • Stir in 1/4 tsp turmeric powder, 1/2 tsp red chili flakes (if using), a pinch of hing, and 3/4 tsp salt. Mix everything until well combined.
2. 2

   Rest the Batter (15 minutes)

   • Cover the bowl and let the batter rest for 15 minutes. This crucial step allows the rava to absorb moisture and swell, ensuring a perfect, non-grainy texture.
3. 3

   Apply Batter to Bread

   • After resting, check the batter's consistency. It should be a thick, spreadable paste. If it seems too thick, add 1-2 tablespoons of water to adjust.
   • Take a bread slice and spread a generous, even layer of the suji mixture on one side, covering it completely from edge to edge.
4. 4

   Pan-Fry the Toast (5-6 minutes per toast)

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.