Garam Masala

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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.


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.


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.