Guide to Artisanal Indian Spice Blends and Their Usage
Can you think of making yoghurt without milk? That is what spices are to Indian food- fundamental and inseparable. The basic idea of using Indian spice blends is to simply measure the ingredients and add them at the time of meal preparation. If you have an unbeatable passion for Indian cuisine, all you need to prepare a fantastic meal is a few popular Indian spice mixes.
This collection of well-known Indian spice blends may make things even easier for you if you are unclear about how to approach the components that go into Indian cuisine or wondering about the must-have cooking ingredients then this list of popular Indian spice mixes will simplify that for you even better.
We have shortlisted five artisanal blends that will elevate your home cooking experience.
5 Most Common Indian Spice Blends
Garam Masala Powder
Garam Masala Powder is a traditional aromatic spice blend often used at the end of the cooking process to pack a big punch. It typically contains black cardamom, nutmeg, coriander, cinnamon, cloves, and green cardamom. Garam Masala, which has its roots in Northern India, pairs well with a variety of meat, fish, and vegetarian dishes. It is frequently used in dishes like Chana Masala, Masala Fried Chicken, Vegan Tikka Masala, and Vindaloo.
Tikka Masala Powder
Tikka Masala Powder is one of the more mild Indian spice blends, and it contains ingredients like coriander seeds, cumin seeds, whole black peppercorns, dry Kashmiri red chillies, whole black cardamoms, whole green cardamoms, cinnamon, cloves, turmeric powder, dry mango powder (amchoor), and Kashmiri red chilli powder.
Many tomato-based curries, including some of the many popular Indian food dishes, include it. Ideal for gravy dishes like chicken tikka masala, mushroom tikka masala, paneer tikka masala, veg tikka masala, etc. or appetiser recipes like chicken tikka, achari paneer tikka. It may be prepared ahead of time and kept in an airtight container that is clean and dry for up to 2–3 months so that it is available for creating tikka-based preparations.
Sambhar Masala Powder
Sambhar Masala Powder originated in Southern India. What makes it stand apart from the crowd is its powerhouse of elements — even including some dal! Toor dal, chana dal, coriander, fenugreek, pepper, cumin seeds, dried red chillies, and turmeric are the basic ingredients in sambhar masala powder.
It is an essential spice mix for almost all sambar soup recipes. The same spice mixture may be used in a variety of different dishes, including dry sabji, idli curry, bread chilli, flavoured rice, and gravy-based curries. It keeps well for three to four months if kept in a cool, dry place.
Chai Masala Powder
Homemade Chai Masala, also known as Tea Masala, is an aromatic mixture of whole spices that adds flavour to Indian tea. This powder is a sweeter mixture of nutmeg, cinnamon, cloves, green cardamom, black peppercorns, fennel seeds, and ginger. Some might even add tulsi (holy basil) or dried rose petals to the chai masala. When using the chai masala, always use a clean, dry spoon and store it in an airtight container.
Chaat Masala
A pinch of Chaat Masala can liven up any dish. It is a mix of spice powders, typically made of amchoor, cumin, coriander, ginger, salt, black pepper, asafoetida, and chilli powder. Most frequently, it is used as a garnish for vegetables, salads, snacks, and vegan dishes like lentils. This spicy-sweet Indian spice mixture adds flavour to any dish and is a fantastic complement to any meal. Some common dishes that make extensive usage of Chaat Masala are samosa, dosa, paneer, tandoori chicken and masala kaju.
Add The Perfect Twist
The listed spices are some of the most popularly used spice blends in Indian cuisine. Making one’s own homemade spice blends ensures uniformity throughout all recipes, and they typically keep longer than store-bought blends with the right balance in terms of flavour and taste.
You may or may not be familiar with the names of these Indian spice blends, but if you enjoy making Indian food at home or simply prefer to experiment with flavours, the spices on this list won’t let you down.
References:
https://www.vegrecipesofindia.com/indian-pantry-staple-recipes/
https://www.parentcircle.com/common-traditional-indian-ingredients-used-in-daily-cooking/article
https://ministryofcurry.com/essential-indian-spices/
https://www.masterclass.com/articles/ingredients-for-traditional-indian-cooking
