Kashmiri Garam Masala Food

KASHMIRI GARAM MASALA

Steps:

• Heat a small skillet over medium heat; add cumin, bay leaves. cardamom, peppercorns, cloves, fennel seed, mace, and cinnamon sticks and dry roast until fragrant, 6 to 10 minutes.
• Allow to cool; add nutmeg. Grind the spices into a fine powder using a spice grinder or coffee grinder. Store in an airtight container.

KASHMIRI GARAM MASALA

Steps:

• Heat a small, heavy-based frying pan over medium-hot heat.
• Separately dry roast each spice, except nutmeg, until each one starts to give out a beautiful, fragrant aroma. Remove from pan and leave to cool.
• Combine all roasted spices (not nutmeg) in a blender and grind to a fine powder.
• Add nutmeg and store in an airtight container.

GARAM MASALA - AROMATIC KASHMIRI SPICE BLEND FOR SPICY COOKING!

Steps:

• Bash the nutmeg in a plastic bag with a rolling pin to break it into several smaller pieces!
• Remove the seeds from the Cardamom pods - again, a gentle bash with a rolling pin will suffice, or use a pestle and mortar.
• Place all the spices in a dry-frying pan or skillet and heat over a very low heat, stirring constantly.
• As soon as the aroma from the spices is released, remove the pan from the heat. (This step is essential to release the aromatic oils from the spices.).
• Working with only a small quantity at a time, put the spices in an electric blender or coffee grinder and grind them to a fine powder. (Takes about 30 to 40 seconds per handful of spices).
• Allow to cool. Store the Garam Masala in an air-tight container. As long as the container is tightly closed after each use, it should last for about 2 - 3 months with no adverse affects to the flavour and fragrance.
• Use as directed in recipes that call for garam masala.

SPICY SHRIMP MASALA

Steps:

• Pat shrimp dry, sprinkle with 1 teaspoon pepper and set aside.
• Heat ghee over medium heat in a wok or large (12-inch) frying pan until it has melted, about 30 seconds. Add ginger, garlic and onion and cook, stirring occasionally, until onion has softened, 5 to 7 minutes.
• Add chile powder, cumin, turmeric and Thai green chiles. Stir until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Add tomatoes and salt and cook, stirring occasionally, until the tomatoes have broken down and start to stick to the wok, about 15 minutes. Add coconut milk if you like it saucy.
• Add shrimp. Stir so that shrimp are evenly coated, and continue cooking, stirring occasionally so the shrimp cook evenly, until the shrimp turn pink and appear firm, 4 to 5 minutes.
• Turn off the heat, sprinkle with lemon juice, garam masala, cilantro and remaining ½ teaspoon black pepper. Serve with roti, store-bought pita or by itself.

KASHMIRI MASALA

Steps:

• Dry roast all ingredients in a heavy bottomed pan, on medium heat, until a nice, spicy aroma rises. This should take about 6-8 minutes.
• Allow to cool and then grind together in to a fine powder.
• Store in an airtight container.

GARAM MASALA

Steps:

• Toast and grind all the spices together.
• Store in a tightly sealed jar for several months.

KASHMIRI GARAM MASALA

Steps:

• Preheat a small skillet over medium-high heat. Add the cumin and cinnamon; toast, shaking the skillet every few seconds, until the cumin seeds turn reddish brown, the cinnamon sticks appear brittle and the mixture is highly fragrant, 1-2 minutes.
• Immediately transfer the nutty-smelling spices to a plate to cool. Once they are cool to the touch, place them in a spice grinder. Add all the remaining spices and grind until the texture resembles that of finely ground black pepper.
• Store the spice blend in a tightly sealed container, away from excess light, heat and humidity, for up to 2 months.