Garam Masala

A classic Indian blend of strong spices, garam masala includes cloves, cardamom, cinnamon, nutmeg and black pepper. It’s used to give body and depth of flavour to a curry, and is often added at the end of the cooking process to liven things up. There is no standard recipe; it varies from region to region and household to household – everyone has their own version that is always the right one! Thankfully, we can buy good-quality, pre-ground garam masala easily, and it’s so worth having. It adds a wonderful hit of spice-heavy seasoning without the need for keeping hundreds of spices on hand. The ground version is also easy to find, but it won’t be quite as fragrant as the pre-ground. When kept in a cool, dry, dark place, garam masala will last up to six months.