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Saturday 9 August 2014

Versatile Homemade Garam Masala Powder .... Kitchen Basics


The Garam Masala Powder traditionally is a mixture of cinnamon, cardamom, Shahjeera, coriander seeds, cloves, star anise and nutmeg. Homemade masala is simply all the ingredients listed above, toasted in a pan on stove top and then finely blended to a powder. Some benefits of Garam Masala is that it slows down the aging process and helps promote weight loss. Yes, that’s right, eating foods with Garam Masala can actually help shed some pounds. This is my version of Garam Masal Powder, trust me adding this to Biryani, Biranji, Vegetable  Bath, Veg and Non-veg curries gives fabulous aroma and taste too.






Ingredients for Versatile Homemade Garam Masala Powder:

3 table spoons Coriander seeds
2 table spoons Shahjeera
2 table spoons Cloves
2 table spoons Cinnamon sticks
25 to 30 small Green cardamoms
1 ½ Star Anise

To prepare Versatile Homemade Garam Masala Powder:

1. Heat a heavy skillet on a medium flame and gently roast all the above ingredients dry (without oil) till they turn a few shades darker. Stir occasionally. Do not be tempted to speed up the process by turning up the heat as the spices will burn on the outside and remain raw on the inside.
2. When the spices are roasted turn of the flame and allow them to cool. Grind them all together, to a fine powder in a clean, dry mixer grinder or coffee grinder.
3. Place this powder in an airtight container, and store in a cool, dry place it will stay good for 3-4 months.
4. You can use this Garam Masala Powder for Veg as well as Non veg curries too........... 

Tips / Notes :


  • To take care of mixer grinder blade, break the cinnamon and cardamom in small fragments and then grind. 
  • Transfer the powdert in a flat dish for 1/2 hr. So heat generated while grinding is released, if you will put it in an air tight jar immediately it will spoil. 

Health Benefits :

Cinnamon
An anti-microbial as well as anti-inflammatory. It’s high in calcium and fiber and helps control blood sugar by helping to increase insulin production while lowering blood sugar levels.
Coriander
An ingredient used to control blood sugar levels and to lower cholesterol. It helps stimulate digestion.
Cardamom
An anti-bacterial, anti-fungal and anti-carcinogenic. It helps to flush out toxins from the body, relieves heart burn, reduces the formation of blood clots, lowers blood pressure, increases blood circulation, relieves gas, and soothes upset stomachs.
Cloves
Contain a purifying property that helps support the immune system. Relieves tooth aches, boosts the metabolism, removes toxins from the blood stream, helps prevent the formation of blood clots and regulates blood sugar levels. You might not guess, but cloves are higher than any other food in antioxidant content. They provide an excellent source of calcium, omega 3, and vitamin K.

So try this Spice powder and write back to us…We love to hear from you.
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