Malay Garam Masala Spice Mixture Food

BASIC GARAM MASALA (INDIAN SPICE)

Steps:

• Break the cinnamon sticks into pieces. Crumble the bay leaves. Heat a heavy frying pan and after 2-3 minutes put in the whole spices. Dry roast over a medium heat until the color darkens, stirring or shaking the pan frequently to prevent burning. Leave to cool, then grind and blend with the mace. In an airtight container, the mixture will keep for 3-4 months.
• * To make a mild and subtle Moghul Masala, use only green cardamoms, cinnamon, black peppercorns, mace and a few cloves.
• * For a hot Gujerati Masala, add sesame seeds, fennel seeds, ajowan seeds and chiles.
• * For a mildish Kashmiri Masala, use black cumin seeds, green cardamoms, black peppercorns, cloves, cinnamon, mace, and add a little grated nutmeg.
• * For a hot Parsi Dhansak Masala, add fenugreek seeds, mustard seeds, chiles and ground turmeric, and double the amount of coriander seeds.

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.

GARAM MASALA

Steps:

• Heat oven to 300 degrees. Spread spices on a small rimmed baking pan and toast until fragrant, 5 to 7 minutes. Transfer pan to a rack and let the spices cool.
• Using a spice grinder, clean coffee grinder, or mortar and pestle, grind the spices until fine. If you like, you can strain the mix through a fine-mesh strainer to remove any coarse bits, but this is optional. Store in an airtight container in a cool, dark place for up to 1 year.