Spotlight Spice: Garam Masala Blend

Garam Masala is a classic Indian spice blend, and roughly translates to “hot spices.” The blend is filled with the warmth of black pepper, cinnamon, and cloves – not fiery chilis – making it a good option for those who don’t like super spicy dishes.

The blend not only varies regionally, but also from household to household. Many families have developed their own recipes for the spice blend, then hand it down from generation to generation – a lot like banana bread recipes in the U.S. Our Garam Masala blend includes several typical spices typical to the blend – coriander, cumin, cinnamon, black pepper, turmeric, and cloves. While we tend to think of several of these spices as “sweet” or “dessert” spices (we’re looking at you, cinnamon and cloves), they are excellent in curries, soups, and stews.

Garam Masala is often identified as a type of curry, but we like to think of it as an all-purpose blend for use in all sorts of Indian dishes. Try it with potatoes, corn on the cob, cauliflower, and winter squash. It’s also a great seasoning for rice pilaf, and to season poultry, pork, lamb, and even fish. The seasoning is typically added toward the end of the cooking time or used to finish dishes as they are served.  You can also use the blend to make a quick curry sauce by blending with a broth or coconut milk or something a bit thicker like yogurt or sour cream (find a complete chicken curry recipe featuring our Garam Masala blend in the AllSpice Recipe Library).

Find this flavorful blend in the Rubs & Blends section of allspiceonline.com or in the shop.