Garam masala

Garam masala (from Hindi: गरम मसाला, garam ("hot") and masala (spices) is a blend of ground spices common in North Indian and other South Asian cuisines.^[1] It is used alone or with other seasonings. The word garam refers to intensity of the spices rather than capsaicin content.

Ingredients [edit]

Ingredients for Garam masala with bay leaf

The composition of garam masala differs regionally, with wide variety across India. Varying combinations of these and other spices are used in different garam masala recipes in accordance to region and personal taste,^[1] and none is considered more authentic than another.^[2] The components of the mix are toasted, then ground together.

A typical Indian version of garam masala is:

• black & white peppercorns
• cloves
• cinnamon
• black & white cumin seeds
• black, brown & green cardamom pods

Some recipes call for spices to be blended with herbs, while others for the spices to be ground with water, vinegar, coconut milk, or other liquids, to make a paste. In some recipes nuts, onion or garlic may be added. The flavours may be carefully blended to achieve a balanced effect, or a single flavour may be emphasized. Usually a masala is toasted before use to release its flavours and aromas.^[1]

Commercial mixtures [edit]

A commercial package of garam masala

Use in specific dishes [edit]

The order in which spices are added to food may be very elaborate in some dishes. In the case of the Kashmiri speciality roghan josh, for example, coriander, ginger and chilis are each ground individually, and a garam masala of cloves, cardamom, fennel, chill red or black,mace, cumin, turmeric and nutmeg is separately prepared. The cook tastes the dish carefully to determine the precise moment when the next spice should be added. The order is coriander first, then the ground ginger, then the garam masala, and finally the chilis.^[1]

In the chicken dish Murgh Kari (chicken curry) the procedure is also precise. First the chicken is fried and removed from the pan. Onion, garlic and fresh ginger are added to the pan and cooked slowly for 7 to 8 minutes. Next cumin, turmeric, ground coriander, cayenne and fennel seed are added with water and fried for a minute or so. Next tomato concassé is added with cilantro, yogurt and salt. The chicken is returned to the pan and more water is added. Finally some garam masala is sprinkled on top, the pot is tightly covered and the dish cooks another 20 minutes before serving.

In Pakistan, Garam Masala is a common additive in various types of pilau (pilaf). It is usually added to hot oil in which onions have been fried golden brown.

Nutrition information [edit]

Garam masala contains several micronutrients. Ten grams have about 75 milligrams of calcium, 3 milligrams of iron, 150 milligrams of potassium, and 0.3 milligrams of zinc.

See also [edit]

• Masala
• Bangladeshi cuisine
• Indian cuisine
• Pakistani cuisine
• Nepali cuisine
• Curry powder
• Chaat masala

References [edit]

Wikibooks Cookbook has a recipe/module on Garam masala

External links [edit]

• Kerala Garam masala
• Punjabi and Kashmiri Garam Masala
• Masala and curry powders
• Another garam masala recipe
• Punjabi garam masala recipe - learn to make Punjabi garam masala at home