Warm and cozy winter dessert

I don't know about you, but one of my favourite things about winter is walking around in warm woolen socks and huddling on my couch with a hot cup of my ultimate favourite tea, the Masala Chai.

Because I love Chai Tea so much, I’m always for ways to incorporate this sweet spicy flavor into my recipe experiments: cupcakes, cookies, cakes, ice-cream... Today, I have taken it to the next level: rice porridge.

So, if you are looking for a warm and healthy winter dessert (or breakfast), look no further than this: 

Masala Chai rice porridge

Serves 4


For the Chai Tea

  • 8 green cardamom pods
  • 8 cloves
  • 1 cinnamon stick
  • 8 black peppercorns
  • 3 cm piece of fresh ginger, peeled
  • 1 vanilla pod
  • 4 Tbsp black tea leaves
  • 50 gr brown sugar
  • 250 ml whole milk  *

For the rice porridge

  • 200 gr porridge rice
  • 1,5 l whole milk *
  • 30 gr brown sugar
  • 1 cinnamon stick
  • Cinnamon powder or grated dark chocolate for garnish 

 * If you are vegan, this recipe can be easily adapted by simply replacing the milk with 1 l soya milk + 0,5 l almond or coconut milk. It will taste delicious!


Instructions

Make the Chai Tea

  1. Crush the cardamom pods and cloves. 
  2. Put 750 ml of water in a small saucepan and add the crushed spices, one cinnamon stick, peppercorns and ginger piece and bring it to boil. 
  3. Split the vanilla pod lenghtwise into two halves and add it to the pan. 
  4. Add the milk and sugar to the pan and bring it to boil one more time. 
  5. Remove from heat, add the tea and let it infuse for 15 minutes with the saucepan covered.

Make the porridge

  1. Strain the Chai Tea mixture into a medium size saucepan.
  2. Add the rice, milk, sugar and cinnamon stick. Bring it to boil. 
  3. Reduce the heat to a simmer, stir and cover. 
  4. Cook at low heat for about 25 minutes or until the rice is tender, stir occasionally. 
  5. Serve warm with a bit of cinnamon powder or grated dark chocolate on top


There you have it, the perfect recipe to keep you warm and happy until the spring comes. What about you guys?  What kind of comfort food gets you through winter?
Hopefully these things will help get us all on the fast-track to an early spring (screw that groundhog and his stupid predictions and his stupid shadow). How are you getting yourself through winter?  - See more at: http://avoidingatrophy.blogspot.fi/2014/02/7-things-to-get-you-through-this-never.html#sthash.1F722R7F.dpuf


Published by Alba of Made of Sundays

Recycled Crafts - Gift Containers

It's always nice to bring small presents when we're invited to a party or event. But it's not always nice trying to figure out what to bring, especially if we're not into buying something useless, such as a decorative item that will end up in the trash, or if our host already has just about everything. Something edible is always a good choice -- everybody likes to eat! But we might not feel comfortable bringing food, as it might look silly. But! If you place the gift you are bringing into a nice container it's a totally new ball game!

What will you need:
Empty and clean cylinder shaped food containers
Old gift wrap and/or newspaper
Glue, brush and small container
Scissors and craft knife (optional)
Paper ribbon or twine


First you need to cut the paper to match the container size. It doesn't have to be exactly the same size, as you'll trim it later on. But make sure the bottom line is straight and that your piece is big enough!
Then we're going to glue it on. There are two methods to do this, depending on the look you want. If you want it to be smooth (good for smooth wrapping paper) use a glue stick. Spread glue on the seam of the container, and then around the top and bottom edge. Make sure you get all the edges covered, but don't spread the glue all over, since it will make the paper wrinkle.

Starting from the seam, wrap the paper around the container. Make sure you get the bottom part straight. Let the paper overlap a bit and secure with glue.


If you're after the more rustic look, use liquid glue and an old paint brush. Spread glue all over the container.

When wrapping the paper around the container, don't pull it too smooth. It's supposed to wrinkle a bit!
After the glue has dried, you can trim the edges with a craft knife. You can use scissors too.

Tie the ribbon/twine around the container. Now it's ready to go! Fill it with candy, nuts, muesli...just about anything you can fit inside. :)


 Happy Crafting!!

Top 3 Home décor trends for 2014

2014 is well on its way as we move into month 2 of the year! After weeks of reading up on what will be the top home décor trends in 2014, here is a concise, condensed version of the top 3 trends gathered from different sites and blogs around the web. We’ve picked out only those which are echoed by over and over by the many content sources out there!

     Hues of Blue
Yes I know Pantone colour of the year is Radiant Orchid, but strangely I found that blue is more spoke about as an overall colour trend for home décor. Even some online home décor retailers has offered something blue or uses blue as an overall theme colour of their what’s new section. In this article – Ask a Designer: 2014 decor trends (link: http://www.philly.com/philly/home/Ask_a_Designer_2014_decor_trends_.html)  the designer Brian Patrick Flynn, has subtlety repeated the recommendation to use blue.

     Agate
Agate is mentioned in Elle Décor, Better Homes and Gardens and several other blogs around. Used as coasters or even as an entire kitchen top, agates were chosen as the top mineral trend for 2014. For more inspiration on using this beautiful semiprecious stone as a home décor, have a look at this – #trending: 10 must-have decor items using agate

     Brass or mixed metals
      Metals are making it back this year. May it be brass, silver or gold it is making its way into retailers’ cataloques and blog pictures in forms of lighting, side tables and frames. Even metallic printed fabrics are becoming a hit!

In picture
1.  Vintage Brass Table Arc Lamp by VintagethatsMintage 
2.   Chenille Teal Cushion Cover by CoupleHome 
3.   Glam Brass Gold Cantilever Side Tables by GallivantingGirls
4.   Agate Slab Coasters by SaraReynoldsJewelry