Turmeric Milk

The things I do to keep myself warm. It wasn’t snowing this time here yet. But it’s unbelievably cold. I think I haven’t still got used to the cold. I don about 3 to 4 layers of cloth,the last being a soft and cozy robe. Last winter,I didn’t know a fleece robe is a quintessential winter clothing to be worn inside the house. Man,I suffered. A dear friend pulled me out of that misery. We talked about robes while she cooked me lunch wearing a soft blue one. This time around I never made that mistake. I bought not one but two robes. And bought them for hubby and kids too. I’m glad I converted my husband and he can never be seen around the house without his dark blue manly robe.

And then comes warm liquids. I haven’t craved for warm teas since my vacation days in Nuwara Eliya. Hill Country. The coldest part in Sri Lanka. We were once staying at Ambewela,near the famous milk factory. Every morning fresh milk was brought to the cottage,heated until steam comes forth,Mom would generously add heaps of tea leaves and sugar ,stirring until the color is just right.a sort of beige,and pour the steaming milk tea into our mugs. I would hold the mug as a precious jewel as dropping even a drop of that liquid gold was unthinkable. An utter waste. I would savor each gulp and never wanted that stream of hot tea down my throat to end.

I don’t remember how I came up adding turmeric to my milk. I probably saw it in Pinterest and Instagram when it was doing it’s round in autumn. I wanted to try. To be honest, i didn’t know what to expect. I use turmeric everyday,mostly twice a day in my cooking. In curries and fries. I was skeptical how it will taste in my tea.
Paired with crushed cardamom,the smell whet my appetite. I was impatient to taste it. With the right amount of sweetness it won me over. It’snot an everyday thing for me. But when the mood hits for loads of crushed cardamom and a touch of yellow dust in my milk I go for this tea. For warmth. For the sense of If you want to take a break from your everyday cup of hot chocolate give this turmeric milk a chance. It can’t and won’t replace a steaming bowl of hot cocoa but at least you’re not left off the health bandwagon. You can fit in with the “turmeric cures cancer”crowd.

Before we were down with the flu,we took a walk in the lake which is a stones throw from our house. When the weather is nice I take a walk near the lake. It clears the cobwebs in my head. Makes me fall in love with my town again and again. I will post more pictures of my town in the coming posts.

Turmeric Milk

Serves 1

Ingredients:

1 cup milk of your choice. I used Soya milk
1/2 tsp ground turmeric
3 to 4 cardamom pods
2 tsp or more sugar or sweetener to taste

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Add the milk to the saucepan. Sprinkle the turmeric powder to the milk and stir to break any visible lumps. Crush the cardamom pods in a mortar and pestle. When the green skin is bruised and the brown seeds pop out, crush them too to release the wonderful aroma of the cardamom. Add the skin and the seeds to the milk. Heat the milk and stir occasionally to prevent burning in the bottom. Once it comes to rapid boil,lower the heat and let it boil slow for a good 5 minutes. Switch off the fire and strain the milk into your mug. Add sugar or sweetener if that’s what you’re using and stir to dissolve.
Now find the warmest,coziest spot on the couch,grab a book and enjoy the turmeric milk.