Hipcooks Blog
  • Home
  • Virtual Classes
    • Public
    • Group
  • In-person Group Classes
  • Recipes
    • Brunch
    • Nibbles
    • Soups
    • Salads
    • Main Courses
    • Sweets
    • Beverages
    • How-To’s
    • Livestream Class Recipes
  • Themes
    • Class of the Month
    • Ring in the New Year
    • Love is in the Air
    • Go Green!
    • Cooking with my Mother
    • Dog Days of Summer
    • Festive in the Fall
    • December Holidays
  • Our Schools
    • West LA
    • East LA
    • Woodland Hills
    • Orange County
    • San Diego
    • Seattle
    • Portland
  • Corporate Events
    • West LA
    • East LA
    • Woodland Hills
    • Orange County
    • San Diego
    • Seattle
    • Portland
  • Cookbooks
    • From Our Cookbook
  • Contact Us
    • Los Angeles
    • Woodland HIlls
    • Orange County
    • San Diego
    • Seattle
    • Portland
    • West LA
    • East LA
    • Woodland Hills
    • Orange County
    • San Diego
    • Seattle
    • Portland
    • West LA
    • East LA
    • Woodland Hills
    • Orange County
    • San Diego
    • Seattle
    • Portland
  • Home
  • Virtual Classes
    • Public
    • Group
  • In-person Group Classes
  • Recipes
    • Brunch
    • Nibbles
    • Soups
    • Salads
    • Main Courses
    • Sweets
    • Beverages
    • How-To’s
    • Livestream Class Recipes
  • Themes
    • Class of the Month
    • Ring in the New Year
    • Love is in the Air
    • Go Green!
    • Cooking with my Mother
    • Dog Days of Summer
    • Festive in the Fall
    • December Holidays
  • Our Schools
    • West LA
    • East LA
    • Woodland Hills
    • Orange County
    • San Diego
    • Seattle
    • Portland
  • Corporate Events
    • West LA
    • East LA
    • Woodland Hills
    • Orange County
    • San Diego
    • Seattle
    • Portland
  • Cookbooks
    • From Our Cookbook
  • Contact Us
Hipcooks Blog

Stocking Indian spices & Homemade Garam Masala recipe

by Monika March 21, 2019

Of course, almost all Indian food starts with onions. Copious onions! In India, the consumer price index is tied to the price of onions, they are that important. Garlic, too. But once you’ve got those veggies simmering, you should Bollywood that skillet with some of these beauties:

The Dancing spices:

Coriander seeds: These are the seed pods from the cilantro plant. They must be toasted and fresh ground for you to really experience the fabulousness. While it is used in many Indian dishes, you’ll love it sprinkled over fresh hummus, and over meat and fish.

Cumin seeds: You know these guys from Mexican dishes. Often they’re tossed into black beans and chili. They’re also used all over Indian recipes. Both these and coriander seeds add lots of flavor without adding heat.

Cayenne: is when you want to spice things up! If you find that your dish doesn’t pack the punch you’re looking for (from the fresh chili, ginger, and garlic), then you can add a little chili powder (in this case, we have cayenne) to build a roaring fire.

Tumeric will turn everything a vibrant yellow and has a wonderful earthy,  carrot-y flavor. It’s a powerful anti-inflammatory, and great for your health!

Mustard seeds are so fun to pop in the pan. They have a mild flavor and are great for pickling, too.

Paprika gives an earthy, smoky pepper flavor without the heat.

The Warming Spices:

Cinnamon is really best when used whole. You can grate it with a Microplane, or pop in into a stew to release its wonderful sweet-tasting flavor.

Black peppercorns, of course, are a staple in any kitchen. Fill your peppermills so you can always use freshly ground. In many Indian dishes, you’ll toast it first for that extra love. You’ll also notice it’s flavor from Chinese cuisine, as well as its role in stocks for Pho.

Star Anise should be used sparingly because it’s strong, but it’s fantastic in simple syrups and to flavor basmati rice. It’s so pretty, how can you resist it?

Cloves are wonderful and warming — add a few to simmering water for tea.

Cardamom is delicious in Chai tea, and in coffee as well. Open a few pods, remove the small black spice inside and give them a little bash in the mortar and pestle. Add to your ground coffee beans and you’ll have a very deliciously spiced coffee, with no extra calories.


Here’s how to make Homemade Garam Masala. Try it! It’s fun, and you can make it your way (which, of course, is the best.)

Homemade Garam Masala

Print Recipe
Nutrition facts: 200 calories 20 grams fat
Rating: 5.0/5
( 1 voted )

Ingredients

4 tablespoons coriander seeds
2 tablespoons cumin seeds
1 tablespoon whole black peppercorns
2 teaspoons cardamom seeds (removed from pods)
4 cinnamon sticks, grated with a microplane
1 teaspoon whole cloves
1 whole nutmeg, grated with a micoplane

 

Instructions

You'll need to use a wok or saute pan to dry-toast the spices. (Dry-toast means to heat without any oil or fat.)
The coriander seeds, cumin seeds, peppercorns, cardamom pods, cinnamon sticks, and cloves should be toasted individually, because of varying sizes and moisture content. As each one starts to smell fragrant, transfer them to a plate to cool.
Put the toasted spices into a heavy-duty blender or spice grinder and grind to a fine powder. Finely grate the nutmeg and mix in. Store in a glass jar with an airtight lid. It will keep for several months, but you'll find uses for it so that you can enjoy it when it is most fresh: in recipes, over popcorn, over roasted potatoes.
Dairy-FreeVeganVegetarianwheat-free
3
FacebookTwitterPinterestEmail
Monika

You may also like

How to make Preserved Lemons

How to Supreme Citrus

Lavender simple syrup

Lavender sugar

Crispy Sage Leaves & Sage Brown Butter

Basil oil

Storing herbs

The magic of mirepoix

Pasta with romesco & shrimp

How to roast peppers

Leave a Comment Cancel Reply

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

Upcoming Events

Feb 14
6:00 pm - 7:00 pm UTC-7

Butternut Squash Risotto (Class with Kit)

Mar 19
4:00 pm - 5:30 pm PDT

Let’s Go to India (Class only)

Mar 19
4:00 pm - 5:30 pm PDT

Let’s Go to India (Class with Kit)

View Calendar

Our Cookbook

Hipcooks Cookbook

Cookbook button

Around the World in 12 Dinner Parties

Buy Now ➞

About Me

About Me

Hi, I'm Monika, owner & founder of Hipcooks Cooking Schools. I curate this blog — with fun ideas, pretty pictures & themes for any occasion. I'd love to hear from you!
- read more -

Subscribe

Gift Certificates

Hipcooks Gift Certificates

Gift Certificate Button

Buy Now ➞

Events & News

Events & News

Keep in Touch

    • Los Angeles
    • Woodland HIlls
    • Orange County
    • San Diego
    • Seattle
    • Portland
    • West LA
    • East LA
    • Woodland Hills
    • Orange County
    • San Diego
    • Seattle
    • Portland
    • West LA
    • East LA
    • Woodland Hills
    • Orange County
    • San Diego
    • Seattle
    • Portland

Private Classes

A sip and a nibble cooking class
Friends & family Livestream

Follow Us on Instagram

Oui Oui! Calfouti! This dessert is tres bon - so q Oui Oui! Calfouti! This dessert is tres bon - so quick and yummy. It also doubles as breakfast. Treat your cherie.
Recipe link in bio
You've got a date this Valentine's Day with Monika You've got a date this Valentine's Day with Monika at Hipcooks Virtual! Order the ingredients kit by Feb 8, and we'll make a mouth-watering risotto for dinner. Cheers to that! 
Info and signup: blog.hipcooks.com
.
.
#virtualcooking #virtualcookingclasses #valentinescookingclass #livestreamcookingclass
The Cupid's Arrow Cocktail is aiming straight for The Cupid's Arrow Cocktail is aiming straight for your heart this Valentine's Day! It's made with a rosemary ruby-red simple syrup, gin, and topped with bubbles. Garnish with a blood tipped arrow (a cranberry on a rosemary spear). Recipe on blog.hipcooks.com/home
.
.
#valentinecocktail @myhipcooks
Thank you @morrisseyai for this sweet reel, and fo Thank you @morrisseyai for this sweet reel, and for booking your event with Hipcooks! We loved having you and hope to cook with you again!
Poached apricots stuffed with mascarpone & pistach Poached apricots stuffed with mascarpone & pistachio. Now you have the perfect excuse to linger a while longer at the dinner table. Who can resist something so little, light and delectable. 
Join us for Let’s go to Morocco. Sat Feb 4. Info at blog.hipcooks.com
Add on an ingredient kit: ORDER BY MONDAY JAN 30
Just look at these cuties cooking it up at our Pas Just look at these cuties cooking it up at our Pasta Class! What a delightful and tasty afternoon! Thanks for sharing these beautiful pics, @parminder.kg
Preserved lemons are like little wheels of sunshin Preserved lemons are like little wheels of sunshine and so simple to make. Tart and salty, they “bring it” to your recipes. Recipe link in bio.
Follow the Spice Trail to one of the most elegant, Follow the Spice Trail to one of the most elegant, beguiling, and wonderful menus at Hipcooks! You'll make these dishes again and again. This menu, an exotic mix of sweet and savory, is straight from a Moroccan medina. Info & Signup: blog.hipcooks.com
.
.
#myhipcooks

© Hipcooks. Privacy Policy.


Back To Top
This website uses cookies to improve your experience. We'll assume you're ok with this, but you can opt-out if you wish. Cookie settingsACCEPT
Privacy & Cookies Policy

Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these cookies, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may have an effect on your browsing experience.
Necessary
Always Enabled
Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. These cookies do not store any personal information.
Non-necessary
Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website.
SAVE & ACCEPT