Garama masala is a very important spice in Indian cooking. It is a balanced mixture of various spices such as cumin seeds, coriander seeds, black peppercorn, cinnamon and cloves. The garam masala recipe given below gives very good taste to the vegetable curries and other dishes.
Garam Masala Recipe
Ingrediensts
Cumin seeds, 1/2 cup
Coriander seeds, 2 Tbsp
Cardamom pods, green, 10
Cardamom pods, black, 4
Cinnamon, 4 sticks
Cloves, 10
Nutmeg broken, 1/2
Black pepper, 1 Tbsp
Bay leaves, 5-7
Preparation
Roast all ingredients in a non-stick pan and heat over low heat, stirring well.
When the spices give off the fragrance, keep aside to cool.
Transfer the spices to a grinder and grind to a fine powder.
Store it in an airtight container.
Tips for Storing Garam Masala
Garam masala should be stored in airtight containers in a cool dark place. Garam masala loses its potency due to heat, light, and air.
Do not garam masala spice in refrigerator, humidity will destroy them. You can store them in the freezer in tightly sealed containers.
Some spices are good for preventing cance and lowering cholesterol. Most common spices that are used in indian cooking are red chili powder, turmeric, cumin, garam masala and asafetida or hing.