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Garam Masala

How did you guys enjoy your weekend?? I'm sure most of you'll would have had a blast. We are moving to a new apartment this Friday, so spent all our time cleaning and packing. This is the first time I'm doing it by myself and though I'm excited the whole process is tiring like crazy. I can't believe the amount of junk I've accumulated in just a couple of years. Anyways, there is so much work I haven't been cooking anything special. I'd probably be on a break for about 10days or so, though I'd be visiting your blogs as often as I can.


I was halfway to making dinner when I realised that I was out of garam masala. I almost called Manoj and asked him to get some on his way back from work but that would have only ended in disappointment as the egg curry I was making just would not taste the same. Thankfully I could overcome my laziness, stop making dinner and get on with roasting some spices. I wonder whats your take on the various brands of garam masalas available in the market now. Each one is different and yet not one of them suits my taste buds.
Garam masala is one of the most important ingredients in Indian cooking and it could easily alter the taste of any dish. I realised this when cooking at a friends place. I made my most reliable chicken curry and was shocked that it didn't taste anything like mine. It wasn't inedible or anything, but it just wasn't the same and that's when I saw her stock of garam masala in the freezer. Well at least I knew who the culprit was! And to prove my point I did make the curry again at my place and invited my friend over:)...
I'm sure everyone has their own blend of spices for that perfect garam masala. Here is mine...



Ingredients:
10 gms peppercorns
20 gms star anise
30 gms cinnamon
30 gms cloves
40 gms fennel seeds

Method:
Roast all the spices on low heat till fragrant, taking care not to burn them.
Cool and grind to a fine powder.
Store in an airtight container.

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Here are some of my favorite breakfasts for Divya's event, 'Show me your Breakfast'...








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34 comments:

  1. Priya SureshJuly 8, 2009 at 11:23 AM

    I love home made spice powders, garam masala powder looks prefect as we get from indian groceris, definitely very helpful for many of us! thanks for sharing Poornima...Happy shifting!

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  2. Sailaja DamodaranJuly 8, 2009 at 11:55 AM

    good one....

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  3. SanghiJuly 8, 2009 at 12:12 PM

    Mmm yummy entries dear!! Podi looks perfect. I'll stop buying from Store..!

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  4. Hari Chandana PJuly 8, 2009 at 2:11 PM

    Lovely recipe.. i too make the same way... nice clicks !!

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  5. SJJuly 8, 2009 at 3:40 PM

    Whatte timing! Even I am out of garam masala. Will let you know how this went. Good luck with the move. Better buy 10 bottles of "tiger balm 'or something to soothe you back after all that packing and unpacking!

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  6. Sum RajJuly 8, 2009 at 3:57 PM

    hi h r u?..good to have homamade garam masala...loved all the breakfas items too...very impressive..

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  7. DoloncookbookJuly 8, 2009 at 4:01 PM

    I also use homemade garam masala ... Its always taste better I feel ...
    But I don't use star anise ... Next time will add & try ...Nic epost & great picture ...

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  8. Shama NagarajanJuly 8, 2009 at 4:13 PM

    nice spicy powder dear

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  9. UnknownJuly 8, 2009 at 4:22 PM

    Lovely basic recipe. Thanks for sharing and very beautiful breakfast photos. Feeling hungry early in the morning after seeing your photos.

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  10. AnonymousJuly 8, 2009 at 4:39 PM

    Poornima you are absolutely correct there..We cant depend on any of those garam masala and all our effort will get screwed up.The lovely aroma reaching here..
    so,lots of job..i know shifting a home is the most difficult thing.But as you said its an opportunity to realise and clear off the junk stuff we accumulate.
    Have a meaningful time..
    Cheers,

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  11. IvyJuly 8, 2009 at 5:08 PM

    Good luck with your moving? Are you going far away? Your garam massala sounds easy to make and I have all the spices at hand.

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  12. Gita JaishankarJuly 8, 2009 at 6:45 PM

    Nice brekafast pictures Poornima...nothing can beat the taste of fresh homemade podis :)

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  13. VrindaJuly 8, 2009 at 7:23 PM

    I don't like readymade garam masala so i always make fresh..enjoy ur new place..

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  14. lubnakarim06July 8, 2009 at 7:38 PM

    Hmmmmmmmmm wish i could smell that aromatic and very flavourful blend of spices.......

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  15. Vikis KitchenJuly 8, 2009 at 9:55 PM

    I also can't accept the flavors in store bought garam masal or sambar powder. Most of the time the home made powders can only satisfy our taste buds.
    Garam masal recipe seems so accurate . Love this version always:)

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  16. Mahimaa's kitchenJuly 8, 2009 at 11:03 PM

    wow.. yummy breakfast dishes.. and u made fresh garam masala? thats nice.

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  17. PoojaJuly 9, 2009 at 12:25 AM

    How true Poornima! I too noticed it when the curries I made didnt taste similar to how it used to be when I cooked in India! I have had a similar experience with chicken curry too and how disappointed I was! Well I too started making in a similar way but I also use Everest masalas in my cooking now :)

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  18. UnknownJuly 9, 2009 at 12:34 AM

    Wow!!Never made garam masala at home..Have to try this..

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  19. suviJuly 9, 2009 at 7:20 AM

    you are absolutely right...the masala makes a world of difference to the final taste! i don't usually make garam masala at home though..normally use everest brand.

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  20. Lena JayadevJuly 9, 2009 at 1:46 PM

    Poornima..this looks amazing yaar.. :)normally my amma makes garma masala for kme..wen i go home c wl giv packs of all masalas, chilli powder / coriander powder. :) i just hav to bring it to pune.. :)
    snaps of breakfasts r really nice..i had tried to make sabudana kichada once wth guidlines frm my maid..bt it became soggy n was nt so great..dnt knw wt was d reason.. :) this looks perfect.. :)

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  21. SindhuraJuly 9, 2009 at 5:50 PM

    Spicy garam masala powder!!
    Drop in sometime poornima to my blog.

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  22. AnonymousJuly 9, 2009 at 7:27 PM

    wow!Never made garam masala at hme..tnx a loooot for sharing...

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  23. AshwiniJuly 9, 2009 at 10:40 PM

    i always get store bought ones.. never tried at home

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  24. PreetyJuly 10, 2009 at 3:27 AM

    homemade garam masala makes any dish tastes more good..

    gr8 entries for the events also

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  25. UnknownJuly 10, 2009 at 4:24 AM

    Havent moved recently, I know how tiring it is to shift. Take your time! Masala looks too good!And thanks for your lovely entries!

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  26. SowmyaJuly 10, 2009 at 6:12 PM

    Garam Masala is sure a great useful recipe, thanks poornima for that.
    Just couple of days I was thinking of making my own masala at home as none of the store bought ones are good for me. Will do it this way. Thanku..

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  27. Preeti SinghJuly 13, 2009 at 8:09 AM

    masala looks flavourful...my mother use to make it...but I am a bit lazy in this matter...lovely and tempting breakfast dear.

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  28. ARUNAJuly 14, 2009 at 2:54 AM

    wow even i love home made spice powders and prefer only those infact!Yummy dishes Poornima!

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  29. CynthiaJuly 14, 2009 at 9:01 AM

    Bookmarked! I like trying different masala combos.

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  30. Sarah NaveenJuly 14, 2009 at 9:03 PM

    Hey Poornima
    You have got a lovely space here!!!
    Garam masala looks so perfect..I always prefer home made ,but laziness kills me all the time!!

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  31. VidyaJuly 16, 2009 at 8:37 AM

    Hi Poornima, first time here. You have an awesome space. Garam masala mix sounds very aromatic. It's always better when it is homemade and fresh. Great to meet another Malayali blogger. Idiappam looks too good!

    Cheers,
    Vidya

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  32. ChitraJuly 16, 2009 at 2:19 PM

    Good to see hommade garam masala..Looks nice!!

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  33. YasmeenJuly 16, 2009 at 6:36 PM

    Fresh home made garam masala is certainly the best .good luck with your move :D

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  34. Pavithra ElangovanJuly 18, 2009 at 1:12 AM

    Oh wow i can smell from here.. so freshly ground tastes so good in the dishes....

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Poornima