Panch Phoran
Blog by — Ekansh Nayak
Overview :
Panch Phoran or panch masala is a blend of 5 aromatic spices from the Eastern Indian cuisine. This 5 spice mixture is also one of the essential spice blends used in Bengali cuisine. There are many Bengali recipes in which panch phoron is included. This spice blend looks pretty colorful, attractive and is made of four aromatic spices and one legume. Together with this ridiculously simple method to make this spice mix.
In Bengali language ‘panch’ means five and ‘phoron’ means tempering. So the five aromatic spices are fried in oil till they splutter or crackle. Basically this is blooming the spices in hot oil or ghee (clarified butter) and this technique of tempering spices in oil is also known as tadka or chaunk or vaghar in Hindi language.
The frying of these spices releases their essential oils, aroma and flavors in the oil. Adding the panch phoron spice blend perks up the dish and takes it to another level.
Unlike, garam masala where the spices are powdered, in panch phoran, the spices are not powdered but kept whole. Of course, Garam Masala makes use of different spices than the ones used in panch phoron.
You could easily make your own panch phoron at home using these five spices –
1. Cumin seeds
2. Nigella seeds
3. Fennel seeds
4. Wild celery seeds (radhuni)
5. Fenugreek seeds
Usually for panch phoran recipe, you will find that equal quantities of these five spices need to be mixed. but in a few Bengali recipe books t, the authors have mentioned a slightly different ratio for the fenugreek seeds
I think that is because fenugreek seeds are bitter and so they have included less proportion of fenugreek seeds. I also prefer to add less fenugreek seeds in the panch phoron spice blend due to their bitterness. You can add the same proportion or slightly less as per your needs.
You can easily scale up or down the recipe and make a small batch or a large batch. I keep panch phoron in the fridge so that the spices remains flavorful and aromatic for a long time. You can also keep the panch phoron in an airtight jar in a cool dry place.
I use this 5 spice mix in many recipes that I make like potato curry, vegetable stir fries, lentils and chutneys. When you use this spice mix, their flavor and aroma is so potent that you don’t need to add other aromatics like onions, garlic, ginger to the dish.
The five spices of Panch Phoran:-
1. Cumin Seeds (Jeera)
They have a strong earthy aroma and a faint bitterness. When you roast or fry them its flavors and aroma become more distinct and its presence is felt very clearly in any dish where cumin seeds is one of the main ingredient or spice used.
Apart from their nutty taste when roasted or fried they are extensively used in Indian cuisine because of their digestive properties. Whole or powdered cumin is added to many recipes in Indian cooking like cumin rice, lentils, vegetables, curries, raita.
Roasted ground cumin is other important spice element included in various Chaat snacks.
2. Nigella Seeds (Kalonji)
These tiny black seeds have a warm onion like aroma and slight sweet bitter taste. When nigella seeds are roasted or fried in oil, the aroma that wafts in the air is very distinct and piquant.
Nigella seeds alone can be used while tempering in many recipes. Usually they are included for their unique aroma and taste in stir fries, lentils and naan bread.
3. Wild Celery Seeds (Radhuni)
The Bengali name for wild celery seeds is radhuni. Its easily available in Bengal, but not so easily available in other parts of India. But now due to online stores, one can get these seeds from Bengal to the state or city where one lives.
These aromatic seeds have a strong flavor. These small seeds do resemble carom seeds or ajwain, but they are very different both in color as well as taste and aroma from carom seeds.
Radhuni has a pungent taste and is smaller in size with a dark brown color. You can compare both the photos of wild celery seeds and carom seeds and can easily see the difference in size, color and texture.
4. Fennel Seeds (Saunf)
These fragrant seeds are used as a digestive and a mouth freshener after having lunch or dinner. These greenish colored seeds have a floral fragrance and a sweetish taste.
In any recipe that you add fennel seeds, it does leave its mark. The dish will have the aroma as well as the sweetish presence felt in it.
5. Fenugreek Seeds (Methi Seeds)
Small and yet potent with bitter taste are aromatic fenugreek seeds. These are actually not seeds but lentils and come from a legume plant.
Fenugreek seeds also have many health benefits. While adding in any dish, just add a pinch so that the dish does not become bitter. Too much of fenugreek seeds can make the dish taste bitter. Methi seeds are used extensively in pickling.
Making Of Panch Phoran
1. Take 2 tablespoons each of all the seeds except fenugreek seeds in a small glass jar or bowl. Add 1 tablespoon fenugreek seeds. Mix well.
2. Panch phoron is ready. Store panch phoron in a small airtight jar in a cool dry place or in the fridge.
3. Use the spices as required in the recipe. Usually panch phoron is tempered or fried in oil to release its flavors and then the other ingredients are added. Shake the jar before each use to make sure the spices are evenly distributed.
4. TIP: Ensure that you use fresh spices when you make a batch of panch phoran. The spices should not be stale or have any insects or mold on the
Instructions :
1. Mix all the spices in a bowl or directly in a small glass jar.
2. Tightly seal the jar. Store the panch phoron in a cool, dry place.
3. Shake the jar before each use to make sure the spices are evenly distributed.
4. Use the spices as required in the recipe. Usually panch phoron is tempered or fried in oil to release their flavors and then the other ingredients are added.
Recipes using Panch Phoran
. Mizoram panch Phoran Tarkari
Mizoram’s Panch Phoran Tarkari for the state Mizoram. This dish is popular in Mizoram and is made vegetarian as well as non-vegetarian. In vegetarian version Brinjal, Cauliflower and potatoes are used and in Non-vegetarian version, chicken is mostly used. It is perfectly spiced with Panch Phoran.
Ingredients
1. 1 Cup Brinjal/Aubergine diced
2. 1 small potatoes diced (about 1 cup)
3. 1 Cup cauliflower into small florets
4. 2 bay leaves
5. 2 green chilies
6. 1 teaspoon turmeric powder
7. 1 tablespoon milk
8. 2 tablespoon mustard oil
9. 1/2 teaspoon sugar
10. Salt to taste
11. 1/4–1/2 cup wate
. Cauliflower Dal
Cauliflower and lentils sounded like a strange combination it’s quite popular and common in Bengali cuisine.
It is not sure if there are other cuisines that use these two ingredients in combination but so far, I have only come across the Bengali versions.
It is not sure if a particular type of lentil is used for the traditional version of this dish, but I decided to use masoor dal or red lentils. These are easier to cook and break down
What makes this cauliflower and lentil curry uniquely Bengali in its flavours is the use of the spice blend, Panch Phoron — a heady, aromatic mix of five spices; brown mustard, nigella seeds, cumin, fennel and fenugreek seeds mixed in equal proportions. Can be used as whole spice or in powder form.
Ingredients:
6. 1 cup split red lentils/masoor dal; soaked overnight (or atleast 2–3 hours)
7. ½ head medium sized cauliflower; break into florets
8. 3 tbsp mustard oil
9. ¾ tsp turmeric powder
10. ½ tbsp panch phoron powder
11. 1 small onion; chopped
12. 3 medium garlic cloves; chopped
13. 1 large tomato; chopped
14. 3 green chillies (medium heat)
15. Salt, to season
16. ½ cup fresh coriander leaves; chopped
Method:
1. Cook the lentils with 3 cups water, salt and half of the turmeric powder till well done; mash and keep aside. (You may also use a pressure cooker to cook the lentils).
2. Heat the mustard oil in a large deep bottom pan and add the garlic and onion; sauté till the onions are light brown.
3. Then add the green chillies and tomatoes; cook down till the tomatoes turn mushy.
4. Add the remaining turmeric powder and panch phoron; mix and cook on low heat for 30 seconds.
5. Then add the cauliflower florets along with the cooked lentils; mix and season with salt if necessary. Add more water if the curry looks too thick and cook on medium heat till the cauliflower is tender and cooked well.
6. Garnish with coriander leaves.
Sources
. http://myfreekitchen.com/
. http://fatfreevegan.com/
. https://www.wikipedia.org/