Topic: Kashmiri masala- (mama gupta)

[PaulP]

Hi Mikka,

From what I've read you shouldn't eat bay leaves as they don't go very soft during cooking and the sharp leaf edges can hurt your mouth and gums or they can get stuck in your throat.

I think eating ground bay leaves wouldn't be a problem.

PaulP.

[JerryM]

Mikka,

my records are a surprise on this. i've not really been able to choose between parker21 version and issiemc - i realise now that i've unknowingly merged slightly the recipes although i do still make 2 spearate masala's which are in fact almost the same.

to keep it simple. i don't use cumin in it (as per issiemc) and add Anardana (pomegranate seed - as per issiemc). also although i've had black cardamom in the past i threw it out. i must use green in place.

[joshallen2k]

Yes I think that you are not advised to "eat" bay leaves for logistic reasons that PaulP mentions. However ground bay leaves are part of garam masala.

[Mikka1]

Ok folks.
Thank you on bay leaves.

What about Nutmeg/Mace?

 

[PaulP]

Nutmeg and Mace are perfectly safe to use in normal culinary use.

Nutmeg can act as a narcotic type drug if you eat enough but used as a spice this is not a problem with the quantities we are talking about.

PaulP.

[Mikka1]

Hi Paul.
I had no idea it could be used as a narcotic? Perhaps that's why I am boring since I do not use it that often.  ;D

I was really commenting on not seeing both in one spice mix compound really. I've seen one or the other but not both.

Have you tried this mix please?
Thanks.

Nutmeg and Mace are perfectly safe to use in normal culinary use.

Nutmeg can act as a narcotic type drug if you eat enough but used as a spice this is not a problem with the quantities we are talking about.

PaulP.

[PaulP]

Hi Mikka,

When I was young and more foolish I ate 4 whole nutmegs and a couple of other mates ate 6! The taste was totally overpowering and the texture made it quite hard to chew them up.

They did have a slight mind bending effect but we all felt ill and out of it for over 24 hours afterwards. I then read a story that a girl had died after eating half a whole nutmeg - but I'm not sure if that is true.

Even to this day 30 years later I steer clear of nutmegs although I appreciate that some masalas I use have a balanced amount of nutmeg in them.

PaulP.