The Marten's Kitchen

Ingredients

• 2 cups water
• 1 cup milk
• 2 tsp loose black tea (Assam works best)
• 2-3 Idukki cardamom pods, lightly crushed
• 4-5 Tellicherry peppercorns, crushed
• Sugar to taste

Method

1. Boil water with crushed cardamom and pepper for 2 minutes. The aroma should fill your kitchen.
2. Add tea leaves, simmer for 2 minutes.
3. Add milk, bring to a rolling boil.
4. Strain, add sweetener, and serve immediately.

Ingredients

• 1 cup warm milk (dairy or plant-based)
• ¼ tsp Lakadong turmeric (not ½ — it's potent!)
• Pinch of freshly ground Tellicherry pepper
• 1 tsp honey or jaggery

Method

1. Warm milk gently (don't boil).
2. Whisk in turmeric and pepper until smooth.
3. Add sweetener. The color should be deep gold, not pale yellow.

Ingredients

• 1 cup basmati rice, soaked 30 min
• 2 cups water
• 4-5 Idukki cardamom pods, lightly crushed
• 3-4 Kanniyakumari cloves
• 1 tbsp ghee
• Salt to taste

Method

1. Heat ghee. Add cardamom and cloves (30 seconds).
2. Add drained rice, sauté 1 minute.
3. Add water and salt. Cook until done.
4. Fluff with fork, remove whole spices before serving.