I really like the idea of making a dish or a drink when you’re not having the best of days or you just want to sit back and “slow down” the pace of the day. In either cases, a dish or drink, I would go for a heart-warming classic, something easy to whip up and maybe something nostalgic (and specially in the case of a meal, something unhealthy). Now of course, I have not been drinking Kahwa since childhood, but it is a drink that gives warm and “royal” vibes.

This isn’t a super complicated drink, but that’s the whole point: it’s not supposed to be. It just involves boiling water with spices, namely cinnamon, cloves and cardamom and steeping some green tea. And to finish off, some slivered almonds and a few threads of fragrant saffron.

Kashmiri Tea

Makes 4 servings:

• 2 cups water
• 2 inches cinnamon 
• 2 cloves
• 2 cardamoms
• 1-2 tbsp. sugar
• 1 tsp. green tea leaves
• Slivered almonds
• Saffron

Slightly crush the spices in a mortar and pestle. Add the spices to the water. Heat the water until it starts to boil. Remove from heat and add the green tea leaves and steep for about 3-4 minutes, covered. Strain the tea and add the sugar. Garnish with a few almond slivers and 2-3 threads of saffron per serving.