Garam masala

Literally: "warming spice mix"

FormBlend

Life3 mo

Add atThe end

Dose½–1 tsp

Quick take

Good for

✓ Cardamom + clove + cinnamon + pepper in one
✓ "Restaurant finish" trivial
✓ Warming — cold-weather friend
✓ Home blends beat any store

Watch out

✗ Store-bought often flat
✗ Overuse dominates a dish
✗ Bitter if added early under long simmer
✗ Every brand tastes different

Make it in 5 minutes

Dry-toast then grind: 1 tbsp cumin · 1 tbsp coriander seed · 4 cloves · 6 green cardamom pods · 1 inch cinnamon · ½ tsp black pepper.

Store in an airtight jar, dark cupboard.

Goes well with

Where it shines

🧀 paneer curries 🫘 rajma 🫛 chole 🍚 biryani 🍅 tomato gravies

Used in

🥬

Palak paneer

Sprinkled at the very end, off heat.

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