Garam Masala

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Make Your Own Garam Masala Spice Mix! With this quick recipe, you can create your own Indian Garam Masala Spice Blend in just 5 minutes!

What is Garam Masala? Garam Masala is an Indian spice mix made from 7 ground spices. It’s the heart and soul of Indian cuisine and is used to season both vegetarian and meat dishes.

The word Masala means “spices,” and Garam means “hot.” However, this spice mix isn’t particularly spicy.

What does Garam Masala taste like? It’s a fragrant spice blend, which, thanks to the variety of spices, is very aromatic. The black pepper adds a mild heat, while the cinnamon gives it a slightly sweet flavor. Not every mix tastes the same, as it highly depends on the quantities of spices used.

Traditionally, the whole spices for Garam Masala are first toasted and then ground into fine powder to enhance the flavor and aroma. However, I’ll show you how you can prepare the Garam Masala recipe super quickly and easily in just 5 minutes using ground spices. The higher the quality of the individual ground spices, the better the mix will taste! Before we dive into the recipe, remember, Garam Masala is all about balance. Feel free to tweak the quantities based on your preference.

Depending on the region in India, as well as the family recipe, the preparation and composition of the Garam Masala spice mix vary slightly. In Northern India, it’s used in powder form, whereas in Southern India, it’s mixed with water or coconut milk and used as a paste.

Garam Masala also finds its way into Ayurvedic cuisine, as the spice has a warming effect on the body.

Usage

Garam Masala spice is used in various Indian dishes. Here are a few ideas for what you can do with it:

• Paneer Tikka Masala
• Cauliflower Tikka Masala
• Use it to season lentil soup or roasted vegetables

Storage

Store the spice mix in an airtight container in a dry, dark place at room temperature. It will keep well for a few months.

📖 Recipe