Wednesday, February 3, 2010

Garam Masala

Garam Masala translated loosely garam = hot, masala = blend of spices is called for in many Indian recipes. The word masala is commonly used today even when talking about bollywood movies, even if only metaphorically. The movies are packed with melodrama, songs and action making it a mixture unable to classify into any specific genre like we can with English movies as romantic comedy, actions thriller etc. The way we cook is kind of a medley too. We throw in hand full of this or a pinch of that and hence a well made dish is attributed to one’s ‘kaipunyam’ like ‘green thumb’ is for gardening.
If you go through Indian cook books you will see time and again introductions or foot notes stating that there is no exact measurement for cooking but you play by ear. Well, as much as it is true when I started cooking I found this axiom quite difficult to follow. Thereof, this recipe is an ambitious one trying to get down to exact measurements. This masala works well for me and depending on my dish I sometimes add a black cardamom, bayleaf or star aniseed as needed.
I am hope you will enjoy the freshly ground garam masala.

Garam Masala
Ingredients:
Fennel Seeds - 1 Cup
Cinnamon - 3 - 5 nos, 2 inch piece
Cardamom - 1/4 cup
Cloves - 1/4 cup
Whole black pepper - 1 tbspn

Method:
1. Heat a pan and add each ingredient and stir for a couple of minutes and move into a plate
2. Powder all of them together and let it cool
3. Save it in a air tight container.
Garam Masala

Notes:
You can use this as your basic masala for egg curry, chicken curry, vegetable curry etc and also throw in other whole masala depending on the dish.

We are participating in the JFI: Fennel seed event run by Siri started by Indira.  Please click on the links to see for yourself and participate.

56 comments:

  1. Fresh, homemade is always the best. gives more flavor to the dish. Beautiful pics..

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  2. Wow... a recipe for garam masala :).. nice!!.. and beautiful clicks.. I like the bollywood movie example :))

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  3. A good homemade Garam masala is God send, nothing like store bought. Looks great. You should send this to JFI-Fennel event.

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  4. I never prepared garam masala at home till now, thanks for sharing..

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  5. I must bookmark this recipe as I always get it from the supermarkets.

    Thanks!

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  6. These home-made garam masala looks so fresh...

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  7. This one is a keep-sake recipe dear.. Fresh home made masala is sure to add that extra taste to the dishes! thanks for sharing it!

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  8. Nice clicks Girls!!!
    ..I make more or less the same way..

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  9. Nice clicks as ever!!!

    I have a different way of making garam masala...yours look too tempting.

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  10. Once you try this one, you will never pick one up from the super market!!!

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  11. What a terrific blend of spices; which gives a distinctive quality to Indian dishes. Many thanks for the recipe...

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  12. I always ask my mom to make garam masala for me :) yours look good too:)

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  13. Save! Thank-you for this one! I'll be using this forever.

    Laura

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  14. wow amazing.Home made garam masala.Lovely click.

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  15. Home-made Garam Madsala is the next best thing to heaven..:) Thanks to you both for sending along to JFI.

    Siri

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  16. awesome pic..nothing better than home made masala

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  17. I can smell the freshly ground masala here..nice clicks...

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  18. Nothing could be homemade masala! Nice shots!

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  19. I must try your recipe for garam masala once I have finished the shop bought one.

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  20. I cook so often with garam masala though I never tired making them...thanks for sharing your version...pictures look great :)

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  21. Awesome clicks and a wonderful post...please collect your awards from my space...

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  22. nice clicks....this is one masala used in every region of india but with little difference everywhere...mine has little different combination....

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  23. Dears I have a beautiful award to share with you..please do get it from my blog..Congrats Dear :-)

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  24. Thank you for the compliment.your recipes are amazing. Presentation is too good.

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  25. hey this is a diff garam masala, should try this. i use cumin instead of fennel. as usual..gr8 pic

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  26. Garam masal and bolly wood movie...wonderful eg:) Thanks for this recipe. Your masal powder looks real Hot and my favorite version.

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  27. Awesome clicks...are you taking pics in SLR camera?...really nice..esp with white background....you rock..

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  28. the picture is simply out of the world. very good picture with good information. My laptop is not working properly so am oly getting to use Hubby's when he comes back...missed some of your posts.simply drooled over those muffins.

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  29. nice clicks.oru photographyude blog koode start cheyyu..karnam awesome pics and the way you click is too good. Actually i posted an award for you in my raw plaintain fry post. please accept it and post in your blog.parayan marannu poyyi..:)

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  30. nice click...and best to do gram masala at home

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  31. wow fresh Garam Masala... I always bring home made one (Mom made one rather) when I visit India...should try this one next time...

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  32. First time here...You have a wonderful blog. Fresh, homemade garam masala is any day better then the packed ones from the supermarket.
    Glad to follow you :-)
    Do visit my blog http://hamareerasoi.blogspot.com/ if time permits.
    Deepa

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  33. Very flavorful garam masala!
    FRESHLY prepared home made masalas TASTES BEST.

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  34. Hey.. thanks for sharing this homemade masala ! Even I want to try this once @ home !

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  35. Hey dear
    Just saw your lovely comment that you had posted in my blog. Thanks a lot.
    Would love to see you more there.

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  36. Home made masala gives such a fresh flavour to any gravy...thanks for sharing this one

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  37. Oh, this homemade masala recipe is truly wonderful!!! I really appreciate your sharing it with us all:)

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  38. wow..homemade garam masala looks awesome..nice presentation, dear!

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  39. Hahaha, earlier I thought garam=salt if I read this as our National Language Malay, look at the recipe, it totally did not contain any salt. Thanks for kind sharing, I must make this some for me to add into my chicken curry.

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  40. even my mom makes masala at home.Lovely.nice click

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  41. Beautiful pics and recipe.....i also want to make one of these, but the malabar version, used in biriyanis..:),....my mom makes them at home and it smells sooooo good.....But u know there are so mnay variations to garam masala too...???it differs mainly in the proportions....

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  42. Home made masalas definitely tastes better than store bought and gives a nice flavor to the dishes.Nice clicks

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  43. The store bought ones can never beat the home made gram masala...lovely clicks as usual dear.

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  44. Home made masalas are the best..Very well presented.

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  45. My garam masala is also same but I add star anise too..Lovely click.

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  46. Flavorful and aromatic garam masala, as always very beautiful clicks da...

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  47. Lovely clicks...really flavourful and packed with aroma...

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  48. Home-made fresh garam masala is awesome, isn't it??!!!

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  49. oh my, love that click.. such a great DOF and beautiful composition too! So true, when we are new to cooking, just adjust the flavors is the toughest thing to do, isn't it? Garam masala looks very aromatic :)

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