Home made Garam masala powder

Difference between curry masala powder and garam masala: 

Curry masala powder contains - Turmeric, coriander seed, red chili powder.

 Indian curry powder / garam masala powder is a very important ingredient in Indian recipes. It is a must to make briyani, tandoori, kebab, curries and fries. I am sure every family has its own version. Indian foods varies with the ratio of the ingredients in this powder. That's why we can see different tastes for a same recipe in Indian cooking. Many people call it as garam masala powder and it is the popular name. But in my house we call it as curry masala powder. Amma (mom) used to make her own in the below ratio but in a larger quantity. She would sun-dry the ingredients and would ask a helping lady to grind it in a nearby mill. I like the way it smells all through the day when she prepared it. After marriage I rarely prepared my own curry masala powder, as I relayed on shakthi briyani powder or masal powders. From last year I started to make my own curry masala powder, so that I remember mom's. Though buying a readymade masala is very easy, nowadays I like to make mom's curry masala powder to bring out the same flavor. Xav prefers home made ingredients in everything and now I too feel happy that I am making my own curry powder:)

Ingredients:

fennel seed  - 1  1/2 cup
*coriander seed - 1 cup *
cumin - 1/4 cup
black pepper - 1/4 cup
bay leaf (brinji ilai) - 4
cinnamon (pattai) - 3 long pieces
(choose the curly long cinnamon - pencil pattai)
cardamom (yelakkai) - 1/4 cup
cloves - 2 tbsp
mace (jathi patiri) -3
nutmeg (jathikkai) - 1/2 of a seed
star aniseed - 3
kal pasi - 1/2 cup
dry rose bud (roja mottu) - 5
(I haven't used it here, but gives a nice flavor)
Cashew nuts - 10 (optional)
poppy seed - 2 tbsp (optional)

Method:

Dry roast everything one by one in mild heat till they turn crispy (never red or color change) (or) sun dry everything except cashew and poppy seeds (they need to be dry roasted).
Let them cool. Powder them together. The powder should be somewhere between fine and coarse.
Cool completely and store in airtight container.
Portion and pack the curry masala powder in zip lock covers and store in freezer for extra freshness.
Storing in freezer is not mandatory.

Uses of curry masala powder:

I use it as my briyani  masala powder, egg curry masala powder, kuruma, salna and wherever there is a need for a garam masala powder.

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In Tamil :

தேவையானவை:

பெருஞ்சீரகம் சோம்பு  - 1  1 /2  கப்
தனியா / விதை கொத்தமல்லி  - 1 கப்
சீரகம்  - 1/4 cup
மிளகு  - 1/4 cup
பிரிஞ்சி இலை - 4
பட்டை  - 3 நீள சுருள்கள்
ஏலக்காய்  - 1/4 cup
லவங்கம் / கிராம்பு  - 2 tbsp
ஜாதி பத்திரி  - 3
ஜாதிக்காய்  -  1/2 கொட்டை
அன்னாசி பூ   - 3
கல்பாசி - 1/2 cup
உலர்ந்த ரோஜா மொட்டு  - 5
முந்திரி  - 10
கசகசா - 2 tbsp

செய்முறை:

முந்திரியை வாணலியில் வறுக்கவும்.  மேற்சொன்னவற்றில் முந்திரி தவிர அனைத்தையும் ஒரு நாள் முழுக்க வெயிலில் காய வைத்து மெசினில் / மிக்சி யில் நைசாக திரிக்கவும்.  (அல்லது) அனைத்தையும் வெறும் வாணலியில் சிறு தீயிலும் வறுக்கலாம்.
பொடி செய்யும் முன் நன்றாக ஆற விடவும். அரைத்த பின்னும் நன்கு ஆற வைத்து காற்று-புகா பாத்திரத்தில் சேமிக்கவும்.
நைசாக திரிக்காமல் கொஞ்சம் பரபர வென திரித்தால் ரொம்ப நாள் வாசனை குறையாது.
பிரிட்ஜ் இல் இந்த பொடியை வைத்தால் அதிக நாள் புதிது போல் இருக்கும்.

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* No need to grind coriander seeds if we want to add coriander powder separately. My mom won't add coriander seeds in this recipe, as she use it mainly as briyani powder. But I add it sometimes.
** Kal pasi / kadal paasi (Tamil) - It is a dry flower,used as a spice in all Chettinad preparations. It can be used as whole spice while preparing veg and non veg kurma. (source)
ENGLISH - Black stone flower
HINDI - Jeevanti
TAMIL - Kalpasi
TELUGU - Kallupachi

Happy celebrations !

Hi friends, Here I have three celebrations in one day.

Today is Solemnity of the 'Assumption of Mother Mary' day and it is celebrated all over the world by Christians. We celebrated an early morning mass in our nearby church.

Today is Indian Independence day. While growing up, I used to look forward for this day with lot of expectations. Though that day is a holiday in India, we used to gather for dance parties in school in beautiful dresses , enjoy the flag hoisting and share sweets. Happy memories, as always:) Wishing all a very happy Independence day!

Image courtesy : click here

Viki's kitchen has reached ONE MILLION hits today. I am sure it is possible only by the grace of God, as I know myself very well:).Just like most other bloggers, this blog means a lot to hubby and me. I love my blog as if she is a little child and pour out all our happy memories through her:) I started this blog to record my mom's recipes to remember her and to pass on the heritage. Also I record the delicious recipes I got from the people I love and admire. Hubby dear reads all my posts from the beginning and suggests me something always.  Xav's food reviews makes me cook and blog with more enthusiasm. I owe a lot to my hubby, readers, friends and family for your valuable suggestions and love. Thanks for all your well wishes, comments, suggestions and encouragement to keep me writing. Please keep visiting and let's see that billion counts too:)

Have a nice day!

Love,
Viki