Nothing like using home made masalas and I have made this Chai ka Masala using ginger skins/peels for the event organised by Nithu Bala - BEST OUT OF WASTE.
Usually we end up throwing the peels when we grind ginger paste.
Green cardamoms ...... handful
Cloves .................. 3-4
Cinnamon stick .... 1 small piece
Black pepper corns... 10-12
Aniseed/fennelseed/saunf... 1 tbsp.
Ginger peels ....... 1/2 cup
Tulsi leaves ........ 10-15.
Method:
1. Wash and wipe the ginger well before peeling. Peel out the skins, spread them on a paper towel and dry them in the microwave for 1 minute first. Open and mix them and repeat doing this 3-4 times until they are crisp.(If the peels are thick then crush them in a pestle and mortar before drying them)
2. Repeat the same process with Tulsi leaves.But Tulsi takes lesser time.
3. Put all the other dry spices in a bowl and microwave for half a second.