What is Garam Masala Spice
You’ve heard it before, garam masala is one of the most known spices. It’s one of the most widely used, too, but what is garam masala exactly? Let’s start at the beginning. Garam means ‘hot,’ and masala is the term for ‘spice mix.’ This says a lot, but there’s much more to discover about the quintessential Indian spice blend.
Garam masala is incredibly popular, and not just in India. People in Nepal, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and Afghanistan, to mention a few, are fond of the aromatic spice. It comes without saying Indian restaurants in the West make use of it as well.
Meat, fish and even vegetarian dishes benefit from the warm flavors and aromas of garam masala; it has more uses than you can imagine, but to master this exciting spice blend, you must know all about it; there’s no way around it. Let’s see what this intriguing spice blend is all about.
What is Garam Masala?
Garam masala is a blend of spices. The usual suspects are the earthy coriander, cumin, the aromatic cardamom, cloves, the pungent black pepper, and the sweet cinnamon and nutmeg.
Local and regional variations exist. Some versions include garlic, ginger, spicy mustard seeds, anise, bay leaf, tamarind and chili peppers. Not only every community has a way of mixing their spices for garam masala, but every household also has its own way. Recipes are passed from generation to generation!
What makes garam masala different from curry powder, another famous spice blend, is that you won’t often find turmeric in garam masala. The very same yellow spice that gives curry its color. Of course, there are always exceptions to every rule.
As you can imagine, all garam masala is somewhat similar, but each blend will have a unique flavor. Expect warm aromatics, a combination of sweet, earthy and pungent flavors with herbal hints along a broad spicy palate. Yes, it tastes as delicious as it sounds. Let’s see how to cook with it.
How To Cook With Garam Masala?
Cooking with garam masala takes practice. The right amount will liven any dish, but it’s easy to see that a little too much can be overwhelming. You can only take so many spices.
Garam masala is considered a finishing seasoning. It’s added to the food at the end of the cooking process. The fine powder can burn quickly if exposed to direct heat, so you want to add it to your soups, stews, curries and broths during the final steps of your recipe.
If you’re looking for inspiration, look for recipes for the vegetable-based Chana Masala, the famous Chicken Tikka masala, or the delicious Indian Butter Chicken.
Garam Masala Health Benefits
Garam masala is a tasty combination of flavors and aroma and a blend of some of the healthiest ingredients used in traditional medicine.
Garam masala is good for digestion. The spice blend boosts certain digestive enzymes’ activity, especially for the blend’s cumin and black pepper. It can even treat gastritis and irritable bowel syndrome.
There are many antioxidants in garam masala, particularly in cinnamon. These compounds can help you fight free radicals, protecting your body from oxidative stress, an ailment behind hypertension and premature aging.
The spices in garam masala are good for your heart and circulatory system. They can regulate blood pressure and could lower cholesterol and triglyceride levels.
There is strong evidence suggesting garam masala is a good anti-inflammatory, which means it can fight chronic inflammation, basically the source of all modern maladies.
Garam masala can also help your body absorb nutrients better. Black pepper is the most significant ingredient in this area, enabling you to absorb essential vitamins and minerals from your food.
Garam Masala, Your Secret Ingredient
Nothing says Indian cuisine like the flavors and aromas of garam masala. Just the smell is evocative of the colorful and intensely flavorful food that has made the world go nuts.
Obviously, visiting India is a great way to get to know garam masala up and close, but the spice blend is expanding worldwide. Today there are more Indian restaurants in the UK than fast-food establishments, and this is just an example.
The most pleasing way of learning more about garam masala is getting yourself some. Cook with it and see what happens. You’ll be amazed by how much spices can enhance your cooking. Garam masala is hands down the king of spice blends; it comprises the very best seasonings on the planet, so don’t miss out on it.
Highly Rated – Social Media Chatter on Garam Masala
How to make garam masala at home in 2 easy steps
Garam masala is widely used in Indian cooking be it vegetarian or non-vegetarian. As the name suggests Garam means warm and masala refers to combination of numerous spices hence it is known as garam masala. This is an amazing combination spice mixture which keeps our body free of toxins by providing it warmth.
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Garam Masala Banane Ka Tarika
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Dry Masala Chicken:
What I love about this dish
Is the crispy, caramelized bits on the bottom of the pan
And you can’t forget the chicken!
Slow cooked, pan-fried chicken🍗
That becomes tender & flavourful
With the spicy🌶Indian masala
See recipe below 👇🏾
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6 pieces of either chicken thighs or legs
1/2 white onion, sliced
1 medium-sized potato, peeled and thinly sliced
1 tbsp oil, and 1-2 tbsp for cooking
2 cloves
2 small cardamon pods
2 small pieces of Indian cinnamon sticks (optional)
2-3 cloves of garlic, minced
1/2 tsp ginger
2 tsp cilantro, chopped, extra for garnish
1 tsp lemon juice
2 tsp green chilies
1-2 tsp salt, add more if needed
1 tsp ground cumin
1 tsp tsp garam masala
1 tsp tsp chilli powder
1/4 tsp turmeric
1. Marinate chicken with oil, garlic, ginger, cilantro, lemon juice, green chilies, salt, cumin, garam masala, chilli powder, turmeric. Place in fridge for up to 1 hour or overnight.
2. Place a large frying pan on medium-high heat and add oil to the pan. Once oil is hot add cloves, cardamom, cinnamon and let oil take on flavour for 1 minute
3. Add chicken to pan. Let it cook on one side for 5 minutes, then flip it over and cook for another 5 minutes. Do not throw out remaining marinade that is left in the bowl when chicken is removed.
4. Add onions and potatoes to left over marinade. Lower heat to medium-low heat. Then add onions and potatoes and cover the pan and let cook for another 30 minutes, flipping over chicken every 10 minutes.
5. Remove cover and let chicken cook until there is no liquid left in the pan and when you see caramelization at the bottom of the pan, another 15-20 minutes.
6. Garnish with chopped cilantro
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Sources:
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Garam_masala
- https://www.thespruceeats.com/what-is-garam-masala-995690
- https://www.masterclass.com/articles/what-is-garam-masala-homemade-garam-masala-spice-blend-recipe-and-how-to-cook-with-garam-masala
- https://food.ndtv.com/food-drinks/garam-masala-benefits-5-reasons-the-indian-spice-mix-is-healthy-for-you-1889598
- www.healingplantfoods.com/health-benefits-of-garam-masala/
Where I come from in Trinidad & Tobago which is a multi-cultural island in the Caribbean, garam masala is synonymous with the cooking of east Indian cuisine. The aromatic spice is a must-have addition to curries in particular. Recipes have been handed down from generation to generation – from indentured labourers who first came to Trinidad in the mid-1800s bringing with them delicious spices like garam masala that today still remain as a staple in almost every household
Thanks for this feedback on Garam Masala