Garam Masala (Indian)

Garam Masala is an aromatic spice blend designed to activate heat in the body, derived from principles in Ayurvedic medicine. Put simply, garam means "hot," and masala means "blend" in Hindi. It's generally considered to be from Northern India, where the cold weather called for a warming spice blend. A simple, authentic Indian recipe for Garam Masala that can be made with ground or whole spices. Make this aromatic spice blend in under 15 minutes. Flavourful, fragrant and easy.

1 Tbsp. ground cumin
2 tsp. ground coriander
2 tsp. ground cardamom
1½ tsp. ground cinnamon
1 tsp. ground pepper
½ tsp. ground nutmeg
½ tsp. ground cloves
¼-½ tsp. ground cayenne, optional

Mix all ground spices together in a small bowl and store in a sealed jar.

To bump up the flavour and fragrance, lightly toast the amount called for in a recipe, just before using, in a dry skillet, over medium heat, stirring until fragrant and lively. Store in a sealable jar.

Cook's Notes:

To make a more authentic version of Garam Masala using whole spices, toast the following in a skillet.

1 Tbsp. coriander seeds
1 Tbsp. cumin seeds
1 tsp. black peppercorns
½ tsp. whole cloves
½ tsp. cardamom seeds from green cardamon pods or a mix of black and green
½ tsp. fennel seeds, optional
½ tsp. caraway seeds, optional
2 dried bay leaves
1-3 dried red chiles or 1 tsp. crushed red chili flakes
1 (2") stick cinnamon
½ tsp. chunk or piece of whole nutmeg (roughly)

Lightly toast over medium heat in a dry skillet, until crackling and fragrant, stirring often, being careful not to scorch. Grind in a spice grinder or blender until ground into a fine powder. Store in a sealable jar.

Frequently Asked Questions:

• What is Garam Masala? If unfamiliar, Garam Masala is an essential Indian spice mix, a fragrant combination of aromatic spices used to season many Indian dishes. It varies greatly across India, depending on the region, household and personal preference. It would not be an exaggeration to say, that each household’s version is different and unique - and that’s what makes Garam Masala so special and nuanced.
• Is Garam Masala spicy? In general, Garam Masala is not overly spicy but does contain a little heat from cayenne. This can easily be increased or decreased according to your heat tolerance. I prefer to keep my garam masala less spicy and add then add more heat to individual dishes, as needed.
• Garam Masala vs Curry Powder? You may be wondering what the difference is between regular yellow curry powder and Garam Masala, both being a combination of different spices. One of the main differences between these two spice blends is that curry powder is more savoury and is often based around turmeric, hence the typical golden, yellowish colour. Garam masala is richer and deeper in colour and tastes warming and slightly sweet in comparison-due to the addition of cinnamon, nutmeg, cardamom and cloves. A completely different flavour profile.