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Garam masala
Garam masala is a wonderfully aromatic blend of spices from India. Garam means "hot" or "heating" and masala means "spice blend". The "hot" is not necessarily referring to the kind of heat we find in hot chillies but to the fact that the spices are first toasted then ground. Another explanation we've heard is that the amalgamated effect of the spices in garam masala increases body temperature, a pleasant warm glow you might feel after eating a dish flavoured with it. It does however usually include some black pepper and cinnamon or cassia which carry some heat.
Many of the spices used in garam masala are more familiar in the West as spices for desserts or baking: cloves, cinnamon, nutmeg, and mace for example. The addition of other spices may include black and/or green cardamom, bay leaves, cumin, coriander, fennel, and possibly caraway. Different regions use different combinations and the blends will also vary from household to household where proportions may vary according to whatever dish it is being used to season.
Whole garam masala is used more in north Indian cooking, especially meat dishes. A whole garam masala could include cinnamon sticks, bay leaves, cloves, cardamom pods, mace blades, and black peppercorns. These are fried in hot oil or ghee before other ingredients such as meat, onions, garlic, or ginger are added. Heating these spices releases a wonderful aroma that fills your house and stimulates appetites.
Ground garam masala is usually added at the end of cooking or may even be added to a dish after serving. We've heard it referred to as a "pepping up" spice. Only buy small quantities at a time, or if you choose to make your own, do it in small batches as it loses flavour after a few months and the flavour balance changes, with cloves becoming more predominant than is desirable.
Use garam masala as directed in recipes but don't stop there. It is excellent for flavouring many dishes, not just Indian fare. Sprinkle some over a squash before roasting or a bowl of pumpkin soup before serving, or onto corn on the cob that has been brushed with oil or butter.
Recipe for Garam Masala 1
Note: this version comes from our favourite book on Indian cooking, Mangoes & Curry Leaves by Jeffery Alford and Naomi Duguid.
Ingredients:
1 tbsp black pepper
1/4 cup coriander seeds
1 tsp seeds from green cardamom pods
1 one-inch stick of cinnamon
Preparation:
Heat a cast-iron skillet over medium-high heat. Dry roast the peppercorns, stirring frequently, about 3-4 minutes until aromatic. Turn out into a bowl. Repeat with the remaining spices, roasting one at a time until fragrant and stirring to prevent burning. Grind the spices to a powder in a spice mill or coffee grinder. Let the powder cool completely in a bowl then transfer to a jar, seal tightly, label and date. Store in a cool dark place for no more than 3 months.
Recipe for Garam Masala 2
Ingredients:
2 tablespoons coriander seeds
1 tablespoon cuminseed
Seeds from 10 cardamom pods
2 teaspoons mustard seeds
2 teaspoons fenugreek
2 teaspoons black peppercorns
1 heaping teaspoon whole cloves
3-inch cinnamon stick, broken in half
Preparation:
Heat a dry small skillet over moderately high heat until it is hot and in it toast the spices in batches if necessary, stirring frequently and covering the skillet when the mustard seeds begin to pop, for 2 to 3 minutes, or until they are several shades darker and fragrant, being careful not to let them burn. In a mortar with a pestle or in an electric coffee grinder grind the toasted spices to a powder and transfer the powder to a jar with a tight-fitting lid. The garam masala keeps, covered and chilled, for 2 months.
ASIAN PEAR AND AVOCADO SALAD WITH GARAM MASALA SYRUP
The combination of garam masala — a blend of sweet and hot spices — and a light sugar syrup adds so much flavor to this refreshing salad that no oil is necessary. The spice blend subtly enhances the natural sweetness of the pear and the avocado, while lending an aromatic note.
If Asian pears are not available in your area, you can substitute another firm-ripe pear variety.
Ingredients:
For garam masala syrup
2 cups water
1/2 cup sugar
1 (2-inch-long) piece cinnamon stick
2 (1- by 1/4-inch) pieces fresh ginger, smashed
2 teaspoons green or white cardamom pods, lightly crushed
2 teaspoons coriander seeds, lightly crushed
10 whole black peppercorns, lightly crushed
1/4 teaspoon dried hot red pepper flakes
For salad
1/4 cup raw green (hulled) pumpkin seeds (not roasted)
2 firm-ripe California avocados (1 to 1 1/4 lb)
1/4 cup fresh lemon juice
2 Asian pears (1 lb total)
4 oz mixed microgreens or baby greens (4 cups)
Preparation:
Make syrup:
Bring all syrup ingredients to a boil in a 1-quart heavy saucepan, stirring until sugar is dissolved. Reduce heat and simmer until syrup is reduced to about 1/2 cup, about 15 minutes. Remove from heat and let steep, covered, 1 hour. Pour syrup through a sieve into a bowl, discarding solids.
Prepare salad:
Heat a dry heavy 10-inch skillet over moderate heat until hot, then toast pumpkin seeds, stirring constantly, until puffed and beginning to pop, 3 to 5 minutes. Transfer seeds to a plate and season with salt.
Halve, pit, and peel avocados, then thinly slice lengthwise. Gently toss slices with 2 tablespoons lemon juice and salt and pepper to taste, then gently toss with 1/4 cup syrup.
Halve pears and core, then thinly slice lengthwise. Toss pear slices with remaining 2 tablespoons lemon juice and salt and pepper to taste. Stir in remaining 1/4 cup syrup.
Drain pears, reserving syrup, and arrange slices on 4 plates. Transfer avocado slices to plates with a slotted spoon, discarding syrup. Toss greens with reserved syrup from pears and salt and pepper to taste. Mound greens next to avocado and pear slices and sprinkle with pumpkin seeds.
Note: Strained syrup can be made 1 week ahead and chilled, covered.
Makes 4 servings.
Rub 1 side of each piece of toast with a piece of garlic. Place the toast into the bottom of shallow bowls. Place 2 eggs on top of each piece of toast. Spoon the Beaujolais sauce over the eggs and serve.
SHRIMP WITH SPICED MASALA AND COCONUT MILK
Ingredients:
Masala
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
2 cups chopped onions
4 large garlic cloves, minced
1 1/2 teaspoons garam masala
1 1/2 teaspoons curry powder
1 1/2 teaspoons ground coriander
1 teaspoon turmeric
1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
1 28-ounce can diced tomatoes in juice
1 cup plain whole-milk yogurt
Shrimp
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
2 pounds uncooked large shrimp, peeled, deveined
1 13 1/2-ounce can unsweetened coconut milk
1/2 cup chopped fresh cilantro
1/4 cup chopped green onion tops
1 1/2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
Preparation:
For masala:
Heat oil in large nonstick skillet over medium heat. Add onions; sauté until deep golden, about 20 minutes. Add garlic and all spices; stir 1 minute. Cool to lukewarm. Puree tomatoes with juices and yogurt in processor until almost smooth. Add onion mixture; puree until almost smooth. Season masala to taste with salt and pepper. (Masala can be made 1 day ahead. Cover and refrigerate.)
For shrimp:
Heat oil in heavy large deep skillet over medium-high heat. Add shrimp and sauté until partially cooked, about 2 minutes. Stir in coconut milk, cilantro, green onions, lemon juice, and prepared masala. Simmer until shrimp are opaque in center, about 3 minutes longer. Season to taste with salt and pepper and serve.
Serve over steamed basmati rice.
Makes 8 servings.
GRILLED TANDOORI CHICKENT WITH GARAM MASALA
Ingredients:
1 (4 to 4 1/2 pound) chicken, cut into 8 pieces, skin removed
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
1/2 cup chopped white onion
2 tablespoons chopped garlic
2 tablespoons chopped ginger
1 teaspoon finely chopped serrano or jalapeno pepper, stem and seeds removed
1 tablespoon paprika
11/2 teaspoons salt
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1 teaspoon turmeric
1 teaspoon ground coriander
1 teaspoon garam masala
1/2 teaspoon cayenne
1/2 cup plain yogurt
1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
Preparation:
With a fork, prick holes in the chicken pieces. Using a knife, cut diagonal slices 1-inch apart, and 1/2-inch deep into the larger pieces. Place the chicken in a baking dish.
In a blender, combine the oil, onion, garlic, ginger, pepper, and process on high speed to a paste. Add the paprika, salt, cumin, turmeric, coriander, garam masala, and cayenne, and process until well blended. Add the yogurt and lemon juice, and process to a smooth sauce, scraping down the sides to combine all the ingredients. Pour the marinade over the chicken. Turn to coat evenly, rubbing the marinade into the holes and slits. Cover tightly with plastic wrap, refrigerate for at least 4 hours, and up to 24 hours, turning occasionally.
Preheat a grill.
Remove the chicken from the marinade. Place on the grill and cook for 8 to 10 minutes on the first side. Turn, baste as needed, and cook on the second side for 8 to 10 minutes. Turn and continue cooking, as necessary until the chicken is cooked through, but still tender, about 25 to 30 minutes. (Alternately, bake in a preheated 425 degrees F oven on a baking sheet for 35 minutes.)
Garam Masala © 2006 The Epicentre. All rights reserved.
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