In dark and chilly winter season in Sweden, I often feel like staying more at home. Having a cup of warm spiced tea in my hands, watching a nice movie or reading a book is my favorite thing to do in the evening.

Three years ago around this time, I watched Life of the Pi. I had read the book before, so I naturally would like to watch it in 3D in IMAX cinema. The movie is about belief, your relationship with God, people, animals and nature. Pi has a strict and realistic father, who always tries to teach him the cruel reality of the world; while his mother, having a kind heart, understands more about his spiritual searching. I think it’s interesting how he tries to embrace different religions and avidly practise different rituals. Though, the core message is that his faith in God, the grace and the truth he has been taught eventually become the source of his courage to survive the disaster.

I particularly remember how he struggles when he has to kill a fish to survive, being a vegetarian, he cries and cries saying sorry while thanking God for saving him. It’s also sweet of him to try to take care of Richard Parker, the tiger who, although scares Pi, gives him companionship, which becomes his motivation to continue. The night scene where all the fishes form the face of his mother is very touching as well. Of course, the second version of story (or perhaps the truth) is scary, disturbing and terribly cruel, but I’d rather believe that he made the journey with Richard Parker. There was also one line that touches me deeply: “All of life is an act of letting go but what hurts the most is not taking a moment to say goodbye.” Overall, I think it's a good movie or book I could recommend warmly.

Anyway, on a lighter note, I made some cupcakes, inspired by Indian chai tea and spices. Despite some overly spiced hotness that is intolerable to me and the lack of appealing visual presentation, I love Indian food generally. I always wonder how they combine various spices to achieve those rich tastes. I also hope you like those Spiced Chai Cupcakes, may it warm your heart and belly pleasantly.

Kitchen Gadgets: Oven

Serves: 12

Ingredients

• 1 cup of soy milk
• 2 tea bags of chai tea
• ¼ cup canola oil
• ½ cup soy yogurt
• ½ cup sugar
• ½ tsp vanilla extract
• 1⅓ cups wholewheat pastry flour
• ¼ tsp baking soda
• ½ tsp baking powder
• ½ tsp sea salt
• 1 tsp cinnamon powder
• 1 tsp cardamom powder
• ½ tsp ginger powder
• ¼ tsp clove powder

Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 175°C (350°F).
2. In a small saucepan, bring the soymilk to the boil, then add the tea bags. Turn off the heat and allow the milk to cool and the tea to infuse. Into a big bowl, sift the flour, baking power and baking soda, salt and spices, set aside.
3. In another big bowl, add the flavored soymilk, yogurt, canola oil, sugar and vanilla extract, mix everything together vigorously with a hand whisk.
4. Sift the dry ingredients into the wet mixture, then use a balloon whisk to mix together, until there are no lumps. Never beat it!
5. Scoop ¼ to ⅓ of a cup of batter into each muffin cup.
6. Bake for 25 minutes, they are done when an inserted toothpick comes out clean.