Masala Powder

Ingredients

• 1 Cup Coriander Seeds
• 1/2 Cup Jeera/Cumin
• 1/4th Cup Methi Seeds
• 1/2 Cup Grated Dry Coconut
• 4 Cloves
• 4 Cardamoms
• 1 Bay Leaf
• 2 Star Anise
• Handfull of Curry Leaves
• 2 Tbsp Hing
• 1/4th Cup Red Chili Powder
• 4 Tbsp Oil
• 1 Tsp Salt

Masala powder is a spice powder which is added to many palyas/curries in south india. It can also be used to make sambar. This is my mother-in-law’s recipe. We can make it and store in air tight container for almost a year, but its flavor will not be as strong when it gets older, so my MIL prepares it every 6 months or so. 

Method :

• Heat a pan, add coriander seeds and roast them for 5mins or until there is nice aroma. Remove it to a plate/bowl.
• Add jeera/cumin seeds to the same pan and roast until they turn light brown. Remove it to another plate/bowl.
• Same way roast methi seeds and curry leaves separately.
• Now add cardamoms, cloves, bay leaves and star anise in the same pan, roast for 2mins.
• Add 1 tbsp of oil in the pan, add hing, grated dry coconut and roast it until golden brown.

• Take another pan(bigger pan is preferred, so that the ground spice powder can be added to it and easily mixed), add 3 tbsp of oil and heat it until hot. Switch off the flame and add red chili powder. Keep it aside to cool down.

• Now grind all the roasted ingredients separately and mix it in the oil, red chili powder mixture, also add 1 tsp of salt and mix well. Remove it in a air tight container and keep it in a dry place.

Note :

• Curry leaves can also be roasted along with coriander seeds.