Garam Massala of Madras

The origins of garam masala

Garam masala comes from India. In Hindi, garam means "hot" and masala means "mixture". It is a mixture of spices that can be composed in different ways depending on the region. We will give you some recipes if you wish to buy your spices independently and make your own blend. At David Vanille, we offer you ready-made blends, but also individual spices so that the most creative among you can make incredible blends. Garama masala is a blend of spices that have been carefully roasted to give you a seasoning full of flavour. While it is frequently found in Indian cuisine, this blend is also widely used in Pakistan, Reunion Island and Mauritius. In Reunion Island, it is known as massalé while in Mauritius it is called massala. In India, garam masala is less spicy than its congeners, especially in Reunion Island where spicy dishes are appreciated.

A matter of taste

Garam masala is spicy. It is important to make a clear distinction with the term "spicy". Spices, contrary to what some may believe, are not always spicy. It will depend on the recipe chosen. This mixture of spices will add flavour to your cooking. You can make your own garam masala blend and adapt it to your taste.

If you look at the garam masala recipes on the internet, you'll see that there are many different ways of composing it. As with many blends, there is really no official recipe. And that's a good thing. This allows you to vary the flavours. You'll notice that some people use chilli powder (red pepper, cayenne pepper, etc.) to obtain more spicy dishes.

The garam masala in the kitchen

It is quite similar to Indian curry, but is distinguished by the presence of different spices. This colourful blend of spices will awaken your dish and give it that exquisite, exotic flavour. Note that garam masala does not cook well. It is therefore preferable to add it at the end of cooking so as to heat it only very slightly. This mixture of spices will find its place in many dishes. Typically Indian, it goes perfectly with poultry. With chicken breasts and coconut milk, it will be delicious. Simply add a teaspoon to your milk to make it as fragrant as you like. You certainly know Tandoori chicken, at least by name. This recipe from Punjab in India is made with some of the ingredients from garam masala, you can perfectly use this spice mix for this recipe. Garam masala will also be perfect to accompany and sublimate kebabs, a rice or potato dish. Use a fragrant basmati rice, it will be perfect in taste. Meat, fish, get inspired by Indian dishes to bring exoticism to your cooking with this spicy and not spicy taste.

The preservation of this spice

Like all spices, garam masala is only moderately fond of light. It is preferable to place the resealable sachet I send you in a cupboard or to find small opaque spice jars. Also avoid too much heat and too intense cold.

The virtues of garam masala

If garam masala is good for your mouth, it is also good for your body. It is known that the spices are very healthy. Such a mixture can only be beneficial. The spices in garam masala help digestion. In addition, some of them like cumin or coriander are perfect for regulating blood sugar levels, so diabetics can treat themselves. Finally, its antioxidant properties are perfect to preserve your body and stay healthy while you enjoy it. Naturally, this should be accompanied by a healthy lifestyle and a balanced diet. But you only have to read an Indian recipe to understand that it is possible to eat excellent healthy dishes.