Yesterday, it rained here in L.A.
Yes, this is worth noting. I can’t even remember the last time it rained here. It feels so odd because it rains year long in Malaysia. When it rains here in L.A, there’s a temporary interruption to weather bragging activities to the east coast folks. It’s like breaking news when it rains here. I love it when it rains. It brings back so much acute nostalgia and memories.
As kids, my mom would let my sisters and I play in the rain. I can remember so vividly how happy I felt being able to do something I normally wasn’t allowed to do. My sisters and I would have ‘cooking imaginary play’ using small rocks, sticks and leaves (instead of the pink plastic toys these days).
I remember running as fast as I could in the rain to get onto the school bus to go home. I was in 3rd grade and had the ‘afternoon’ class. School ends at 6:40 pm. So if it rains, the sky gets pretty dark and gloomy. Drenched in my wet school uniform, I’d ride the school bus home and then get wet again after getting off the bus to run back home. It was pure bliss.
I also remember training for handball in the rain and falling down in muddy fields. As long as there’s no lightning, our coach would let us practice. The field was located right next to a four-story building filled with classrooms. I could see students staring out at us with their faces filled with a tinge of envy… wishing they too could play in the rain and mud.
Rain brings back memories of the fun chaos and loud chattering in school. The sound of rain beating down on my school’s rooftops were always loud. This was the cause of the teachers and the students having an unsaid ‘who can speak louder’ competition. And since it usually rains towards the evening in Malaysia, that means it’d be almost time to get off school. This adds to the happiness and excitement in our voices. This, multiply by all the adjoining classrooms, you can only imagine how loud it gets on a Friday especially if it’s the day before a long holiday.
Yesterday, not only did it rain in L.A., the temperature dropped and it was kind of chilly. What a perfect reason to snuggle up on the couch to make new memories of rain with this comforting and warming vanilla cashew almond milk tea. No more loud noises… just a lot of calm and peace. Geez, I’m getting old.
Vanilla cashew almond butter already makes such a delicious spread. Add some tea and creamy condensed milk, you’d wish you didn’t know this drink existed. Too good and too addictive.
If you want it simpler, check out this Malaysian ‘Teh Tarik‘ which translates to pull tea. It is creamy, smooth & frothy like no other in the world. Deliciously sinful.
Also, if you haven’t already, check out my last post Savory Korean Shrimp Pancake. Crispy on the outside & lightly chewy inside. So delicious it’s great for any meals or snack.
What memories does rain bring you?
Vanilla Cashew Almond Milk Tea Makes 4 cups
what you need:
3 cups water, boiling hot
4 tea bags (black)
1 tbs vanilla cashew almond butter
1 cup hot water
2 tbs sweetened condensed milk
2 tbs sugar
directions:
1. Place tea bags in 3 cups hot boiling water. Cover and let steep for 5-8 minutes.
2. Add the vanilla cashew almond butter and 1 cup hot water to the Vitamix (or any high powdered blender). Blend on high until smooth (with some sweetener, this already makes a superb vanilla cashew almond milk).
3. Add the tea, condensed milk and sugar. Blend to combine and to create froth.
4. Drink up immediately.
Notes:
1. The longer the tea steep, the stronger the flavor but also, the bitter it gets.
2. If you want to make it dairy free or vegan, omit the condensed milk and increase sweetener. It will not be as creamy.
3. If you don’t care too much about froth, you can give it a quick stir in a teapot instead. It may not be as creamy as if you would to blend it. If you’re up for something adventurous, do the pull technique shown in the video of this post.
