Lip-smacking Indian masala mixes you can prepare at home
The heart of Indian cuisine lies in its aromatic and flavorful masalas or spice mixes. These magical blends can transform ordinary ingredients into extraordinary dishes. While ready-made masala mixes are convenient, there's something special about crafting your own at home. It allows you to tailor the flavors to your liking while letting you create authentic, preservative-free masala powders.
Garam masala
Garam masala is a widely used masala powder in Indian kitchens. It is a blend of cinnamon, cardamom, clove, black pepper, nutmeg, bay leaf, shahi jeera, coriander, mace, and star anise which together produce a layer of flavor and richness. Dry roast the ingredients and grind them together into a powder. Store this in an air-tight container and use it as and when needed.
Chaat masala
This masala is used to enhance the flavor of chaat and some snacks. A pinch of this tangy powder can spruce up any dish, be it momos, curries, or even salads. The masala essentially comprises coriander, cumin, mango powder, black rock salt, pepper, citric acid and mint leaves. Roast coriander, cumin, and ajwain. Once cool, blend these with the rest of the ingredients.
Rasam powder
Rasam powder is the main ingredient to make rasam, a popular tangy and spicy soup from South India. Dry red chilies and coriander seeds make up the majority of the spice blend. Also added are curry leaves, asafoetida, black pepper, turmeric powder, and mustard seeds. To get rid of moisture, the spices are roasted with/without oil and then ground into a powder.
Tikka masala
Popular Indian tikka dishes including paneer tikka masala, and other spicy, masala curries are prepared with tikka masala powder, a fragrant and spicy mixture. Tikka masala's ingredients include whole coriander, cumin, black peppercorns, dry Kashmiri red chilies, black and green cardamoms, cinnamon, cloves, turmeric powder, dry mango powder (amchur), and Kashmiri red chili powder. Roast the ingredients, grind them, and it is ready.
Sambar masala
Sambar powder is a staple in South Indian kitchens and is used to make sambar, a lentil-based curry. It is made with types of lentils (urad dal and chana dal), spices like cumin, coriander, red chili peppers, turmeric powder, and curry leaves. Just dry roast everything one by one, let them cool down and grind them into a powder.
