Category: Tour of India: Herbs & Spices

  • Chai

    Serves 4 to 6 INGREDIENTS 2 cups milk 1 cup water 1½ tablespoons loose Darjeeling or Earl Grey tea A 1½-inch piece cinnamon stick, brown in half 9 green cardamom pods, crushed slightly in a mortar and pestle to open 7 whole cloves A 1½-inch piece fresh ginger, peeled and cut into chunks 6 black…

  • Sambhaar

    Makes about ¾ cup INGREDIENTS 3 dried chiles 2 tablespoons coriander seeds 2 tablespoons mustard seeds 1 tablespoon white lentils (urad dal) 1 tablespoon yellow split peas (channa dal) 2 teaspoons fenugreek seeds 2 teaspoons ground peppercorns 40 curry leaves (optional) DIRECTIONS Place all of the spices in a medium skillet over medium-high heat. Toast…

  • Garam Masala

    Makes about ¾ cup INGREDIENTS 1 tablespoon dried miniature rosebuds (optional) A 1-inch piece cinnamon stick, broken into pieces 2 bay leaves ¼ cup cumin seeds 1⁄3 cup coriander seeds 1 tablespoon green cardamom pods 1 tablespoon whole black peppercorns 2 tablespoon whole cloves 1 dried red chile ¼ teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg 1⁄8 teaspoon…

  • Lahori Chicken Curry with Whole Spices & Potatoes

    Serves 4 INGREDIENTS A 4-pound chicken, cut into 8 to 10 pieces and skinned 3 medium red boiling potatoes, peeled and quartered ¾ teaspoon turmeric ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper Salt 1½ medium onions, roughly diced 5 garlic cloves A 2-inch piece fresh ginger, peeled and cut in half crosswise 3 tablespoons canola oil A 1-inch…

  • Shrimp Scampi Masala

    Serves 6 to 8 INGREDIENTS ¼ cup lemon juice (from about 1 lemon) 2 teaspoons kosher salt 2 pounds large or extra-large shrimp, peeled and deveined 12 scallions (white and light green parts only), thinly sliced 1 cup fresh cilantro, chopped ½ teaspoon ground peppercorns 8 ounces capellini or angel hair pasta or thickly sliced…

  • Rice Pilaf with “Standing Spices”

    Serves 6 to 8 INGREDIENTS 2 cups basmati rice 4½ cups cold water 2 medium red onions ¼ cup canola oil, plus about 1 cup for deep-frying 1 teaspoon cumin seeds 8 green cardamom pods A 2½-to-3-inch piece cinnamon stick, broken in half ¼ teaspoon whole cloves ¼ teaspoon black peppercorns ¼ teaspoon coriander seeds…

  • Stir Fried Carrots with Cumin and Lime

    Serves 4 to 6 INGREDIENTS 2½ tablespoons canola oil 2 teaspoons black mustard seeds (optional) A 1-inch piece fresh ginger, peeled and cut into a fine julienne ½ fresh hot green chile, minced 3 whole dried red chiles 1 teaspoon cumin seeds 8 fresh or 12 frozen curry leaves, torn into pieces (optional) 1½ pounds…

  • Stir Fried Cauliflower with Potato & Crunchy Bengali Spice

    Serves 4 INGREDIENTS 3 tablespoons canola oil 1 teaspoon nigella seeds (optional) 1 teaspoon cumin seeds Rounded ¼ teaspoon coriander seeds A 2-inch piece fresh ginger, peeled and chopped 1½ pounds red boiling potatoes, peeled, halved, and sliced lengthwise about ½ inch thick 1 small to medium head cauliflower, cored and cut into medium florets…