Serves: 5
Total Calories: 70

2 tablespoons mustard or vegetable oil
8 to 12 dried red chili peppers, such as chile de arbol, broken
4 to 5 cloves fresh garlic (large), minced
1/2 cup fennel seeds
1/4 cup cumin seeds
1/4 cup fenugreek seeds
2 tablespoons black cardamom seeds
2 tablespoons green cardamom seeds
10 bay leaves, coarsely broken
1 teaspoon saffron threads
3 tablespoons ground ginger
1 tablespoon ground paprika
2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon ground cloves
1 teaspoon ground mace
1 teaspoon ground nutmeg

1. In a medium cast-iron or nonstick wok or skillet, heat the oil over medium heat and stir the red chili peppers and garlic until golden, 1 minute. Add the fennel, cumin, fenugreek, black and green cardamom, bay leaves, and saffron, and roast, stirring and shaking the pan, until the mixture turns a few shades darker, about 2 minutes.

2. Let cool, then grind in a spice or coffee grinder to make a very fine powder. Place in a bowl and mix the ginger, paprika, cinnamon, cloves, mace, and nutmeg. Store in an airtight container in a cool, dark place, about 1 week at room temperature or about 1 year in the refrigerator.

From "1,000 Indian Recipes." Copyright 2002 by Neelam Batra. Used with permission of the publisher, Wiley Publishing, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

Nutritional Facts:

Serves: 5
Total Calories: 70
Calories from Fat: 5

More Recipes from the 1000 Indian Recipes Cookbook:
* Spices and Other Seasonings
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Basic Curry Powder
Bengali 5-Spices
Bombay Bread-Snack Masala
Chaat Masala
Chai Tea Masala
Chickpea Masala with Pomegranate Seeds
Dessert Masala
Fragrant Masala with Nuts
Garam Masala
Goan Curry Powder
Goan Vindaloo Powder
Gujarati Curry Powder with Coriander and Cumin
Gujarati Lentil Masala
Hyderabadi Garam Masala with Black Cumin Seeds
Indian Grilling Masala
Kashmiri Curry Powder with Fennel Seeds and Ginger
Kashmiri Garam Masala
Kashmiri Raita Masala
Marathi Curry Powder with Coconut and Sesame Seeds
Masala for Griddle-Fried Breads
Masala for Stuffed Griddle-Fried Breads
Meat Masala with Cumin and Peanuts
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Mughlai Garam Masala with Nutmeg and Mace
New Delhi Street Food Masala
Parsi Garam Masala with Star Anise
Punjabi Raita and Buttermilk Masala
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Roasted Cumin and Fenugreek Masala
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