Indian Cookery Lessons

Chillie Cumin Masala Mixture:

Spices

are an

integral part of any Indian dish. One spice can alter the entire taste and flavour of a dish, including

colour and texture. Spices are used whole and ground in Indian cooking.

Masala - 100 gm:

Preparation time: 10 minutes

Ingredients:

Method:

Take a non-stick frying pan. Put it on medium heat. Add the whole cumin seeds to it and fry for 1 minute with
occasional shaking of the pan to avoid burning.

Repeat the same procedure to fry the dried red chillies. Fry for 30 seconds with occasional shaking of the pan to
avoid burning.

Put both ingredients in a coffee blender (or any other blender that allows dry grinding) and blend until you are left
with a powder with small bits.

Use this masala appropriately to make your dish mild, medium or very hot in taste.

Variation:

If you like, you can add your favourite whole spices to this mixture to give it an aroma you like e.g.

Cinnamon

cardamom, clove, coriander or others.

Tips:

This masala emits a very strong fume that causes coughing. Please allow plenty of ventilation while making this i.e.

open windows and exhausts! Buy whole spices and grind them at home using a mortar and pestle or a coffee grinder!

Freshly ground spices give a more pungent aroma and intense flavour.