Topic: What is "Basaar Mix"

[Cory Ander]

You will often see the mention of "basaar mix" in some recipes and discussions on this forum.

This is a commercial blend of Pakistani curry powder with lots of chilli, and other hot spices, in it.

It is reportedly used by some British Indian Restaurants, either on its own or as part of a restaurant's own blended "spice mix" (i.e. curry masala or curry powder)

These links will provide further information:

http://www.curry-recipes.co.uk/curry/index.php/topic,698.msg6593.html#msg6593

http://www.curry-recipes.co.uk/curry/index.php/topic,698.msg6574.html#msg6574

[SnS]

Found it here

http://www.spicesofindia.co.uk/acatalog/Al-Noor-Pakastani-Bassar-Curry-Masala.html

[Cory Ander]

Great!  First time I've seen a link for buying the stuff! 

Presuming that the ingredients are in order of decreasing quantity, the predominant spice is chilli powder (with quite a bit of other hot spices such as mustard seeds and black pepper):

Al Noor "Bassar Curry Powder":

Ingredients: Chilli Powder, Coriander Powder, Turmeric Powder, Mustard Oil, Fenugreek Leaves, Cumin Powder, Bayleaves, Mustard Seeds, Cardamom Powder, Cinnamon Powder, Black Pepper Powder, Cloves, Fenugreek Powder, Nutmeg Powder.

Star Brand "Basaar Original" Curry Powder":

Ingredients:  Chilli, Tumeric, Garlic, Coriander, Cumin, Cinnamon, Ginger, Fenugreek Leaves and Powder, Bay Leaves, Salt, Brown Cardamom, Cloves, Black Pepper, Vegetable Oil.

[Yousef]

I used this once to make one of my most successful curries.
Never been able to get any since then...

S

[Cory Ander]

Originally posted by Haldi, copied to here by CA

This is the only place that, I have come across, to use this spice mix
I had an Asian friend who used to drive where I work
He swore by the stuff
He said it was all you needed to cook with
If you visit the Asian supermarkets round here, there are huge commercial bags of it (as well as smaller ones as pictured)
I think it's this spice mix that makes this takeaways curries so special
I reckon this spice is behind some of the old stle BIR flavour/aroma
It's out on it's own
The spice feels almost greasy
Everybody calls it "Basaar" but I think that name is printed fairly small on the packaging

[adriandavidb]

i often use Kashmiri Basaar mix pictured above, and it gives very good results.

[JerryM]

i've finally got round to getting the basaar. there were 3 types - i think "heena" or something like, "supreme" and "King of spice".

the man in the shop did not have to think about it in advising that the King of spice was the one to go for.

in tasting it c/w my beloved rajah hot madras curry powder it is very very different - a hot spicy mix with far more depth whereas the rajah curry power is more shallow but more flavoursome - looks promising on say the madras front.

i was thinking of just substituting it for curry powder in my spice mix and leaving out extra chilli powder.

would appreciate tips from anyone on how they are using it.

[adriandavidb]

JerryM

I sometimes use 'King of Spices' Basaar mix to replace some, sometimes ALL of the spice mix (Bruce Edward's) I use in my Madras.

Result is nice but very different:  somehow slighty 'fizzy'! difficult to describe....

[Bobby Bhuna]

I've tried various things with little success. I've tried in place of BE spice mix, half half with BE spice mix, in place of chilli - I've even tried the traditional recipe on the back of the packet. Doesn't do much for me. The greatest success I've ever had with it was when I ran out of chilli and needed some heat.