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Author Topic: How do I make garam masala?  (read 4,089 times)

AI Summary
A user in Mexico is seeking advice on how to make garam masala due to the difficulty of sourcing key spices locally. Responses suggest that while making garam masala from scratch is challenging without essential ingredients, it may be easier to purchase spices online from the USA. Additionally, some community members argue that garam masala is not necessary for achieving the desired taste in British Indian Restaurant (BIR) curries, and that curry powder could be a suitable alternative.

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Offline eamon

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How do I make garam masala?
« on: September 12, 2009, 08:20 PM »
Hi All

Newbie here.
I currently live in Mexico, so chillies are NO problem.......BUT some things are hard, if not impossible to get. Onion seeds, cardamom pods, fenugreek, mustard seeds, whole coriander seeds etc etc.
I can get curry powder, but cannot get Garam Masala.
What or how can I make my own, or a close 2nd?
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Offline Cory Ander

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Re: Garam Masala
« Reply #1 on: September 13, 2009, 03:20 AM »
Hi Eamon, welcome to cr0  8)

Garam masala is also available (at least in certain countries), in jars, in paste form (e.g. Patak - see: http://www.amazon.com/Pataks-Garam-Masala-Paste-10oz/dp/B000JMDGZU for example). 

If you want to make your own, check out the Supplementary Recipes section, for garam masala recipes, here:  https://curry-recipes.co.uk/curry/index.php?board=28.0. 

However, without the main garam masala ingredients (typically brown cardamom, black peppercorns, black cumin seeds, cloves, cinnamon, nutmeg, mace, bay leaves), you're a little bit stuffed, in making your own, I'm afraid.  You can try substituting white peppercorns for black, white cumin seeds for black, and even green or white cardamon pods for brown (though they quite different actually) if you can get these types instead?  You can try using ground versions, instead of seeds, if you can get these instead?

Is it an option for you to purchase your spices from overseas (e.g. from the internet spice shops)?  Check here:  https://curry-recipes.co.uk/curry/index.php?topic=2787.0

Having said all that, to my mind, you can easily live without garam masala when making BIR curries.

Check here for a list of the more important spices in BIR cooking:  https://curry-recipes.co.uk/curry/index.php?topic=1766.0
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Offline 976bar

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Re: Garam Masala
« Reply #2 on: September 13, 2009, 08:16 AM »
Quote from: eamon on September 12, 2009, 08:20 PM
Hi All

Newbie here.
I currently live in Mexico, so chillies are NO problem.......BUT some things are hard, if not impossible to get. Onion seeds, cardamom pods, fenugreek, mustard seeds, whole coriander seeds etc etc.
I can get curry powder, but cannot get Garam Masala.
What or how can I make my own, or a close 2nd?

Hi Eamon, as you are in Mexico, can you not go online and buy the spices necessary for making Garam Masala from the USA and have them shipped to you?

Here's a few spice companies in the USA you might want to try and see if they can send the spices to you.

http://cinnamononline.com/Home.html

http://www.spiceplaza.com/products.aspx?categoryid=-1&filterby=1&pageindex=1

http://www.spicenflavor.com/php/showContent.php?linkid=18

http://www.theepicentre.com/Market/spicecol2.html

http://www.cherryvalleyspice.com/spices/all-spices

Hope this helps :)
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Offline JerryM

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Re: Garam Masala
« Reply #3 on: September 13, 2009, 10:01 AM »
Quote from: Cory Ander on September 13, 2009, 03:20 AM
Hi Eamon, welcome to cr0  8)

to my mind, you can easily live without garam masala when making BIR curries.

Eamon,

if it's BIR taste u are after then garam is really not what u want at all. i've tried to use it on many occasions over a long period of time using my home made and recently branded. the taste takes the dish away as opposed towards BIR taste for me. i do use it in the ashoka korahi bhuna but i've also swapped the garam for Kushi spice mix and it works just as well.

curry powder is what u need. u may struggle to make a good spice mix (mix powder) without coriander seed and cumin though.

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