Garam Masala
Garam Masala
Description
Every Indian family makes their own garam masala, an aromatic blend of spices with sweet, peppery, citrusy, earthy, and spicy notes. Typically added to meat, chicken curries, and vegetables, the mix of cinnamon, cardamom, cloves, cumin, coriander, black pepper, and bay leaf offers antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and digestive benefits, while aiding in detox and blood sugar regulation.
NOTE
This version is sans cayenne pepper to be kid-friendly.
Ingredients
1/2 cup (85 g) MAKES
- 2 cinnamon sticks, preferably Ceylon
- 20 cardamom pods
- 2 Tbsp (14 g) cumin seeds
- 1/4 cup (20 g) coriander seeds
- 1 Tbsp (7 g) black peppercorns
- 1 tsp whole cloves
- 1/2 a nutmeg
- 1 bay leaf
Directions
-
Step 1
Place the cinnamon sticks in a clean kitchen towel, fold the towel so that they’re covered. Using a rolling pin, smash the bark into pieces small enough to fit into a spice grinder. -
Step 2
In a dry pan over medium heat, toast the cinnamon with the other spices until aromatic, tossing the spices every few seconds (to prevent burning), 1 to 2 minutes. Transfer the mixture to a spice grinder or a coffee grinder dedicated to spices. Grind the mixture into a fine powder. (You might need to do this in batches depending on the size of your spice grinder.) Store in an airtight container away from heat and light for up to 6 months.
Explore Recipe Ingredients
About the author
Kanchan Koya
Author of the cookbook Spice Spice Baby, Kanchan Koya holds a PhD in biomedicine from Harvard and is also a holistic health coach. Her mission is to make everyone more comfortable cooking with spices, for both their health-giving properties and their ability to make your food sing with flavor.
View profile
More by Kanchan Koya
Baingan ka Bharta
Baingan ka Bharta is literally translated as “eggplant mishmash.” This Indian classic is a crowd-pleaser across all ages.
Chickpea Flour Frittata
Take your plant-based breakfast to new heights of deliciousness (and nutrient density) with Kanchan Koya's recipe for a Chickpea Flour Frittata.
Cilantro Butter Bean Veggie Stew
This butter bean stew, packed with vegetables, is Inspired by a Peruvian seafood dish cooked in a cilantro broth — a zingy way to add health-boosting beans to your day.
