Kashmiri Masala Recipes

KASHMIRI GARAM MASALA

Steps:

• Heat a small skillet over medium heat; add cumin, bay leaves. cardamom, peppercorns, cloves, fennel seed, mace, and cinnamon sticks and dry roast until fragrant, 6 to 10 minutes.
• Allow to cool; add nutmeg. Grind the spices into a fine powder using a spice grinder or coffee grinder. Store in an airtight container.

KASHMIRI MASALA

Steps:

• Dry roast all ingredients in a heavy bottomed pan, on medium heat, until a nice, spicy aroma rises. This should take about 6-8 minutes.
• Allow to cool and then grind together in to a fine powder.
• Store in an airtight container.

KASHMIRI GARAM MASALA

Steps:

• Heat a small, heavy-based frying pan over medium-hot heat.
• Separately dry roast each spice, except nutmeg, until each one starts to give out a beautiful, fragrant aroma. Remove from pan and leave to cool.
• Combine all roasted spices (not nutmeg) in a blender and grind to a fine powder.
• Add nutmeg and store in an airtight container.

KASHMIRI LAMB

Steps:

• Place red chiles, green chiles, cumin seeds, garam masala, ginger, garlic, grated coconut, and tomatoes into a blender; pulse several times to chop, then blend into a smooth paste.
• Heat vegetable oil in a large skillet or Dutch oven over medium heat. Stir in onion; cook and stir until the onion has softened and turned translucent, about 5 minutes. Reduce heat to medium-low, and continue cooking and stirring until the onion is very tender and golden brown, 10 to 15 minutes more.
• Stir the spice paste into the onion and cook and stir until the oil separates from the mixture, about 3 minutes.
• Stir in lamb pieces and salt. Cook, stirring frequently over medium-high heat, until the lamb pieces are browned on all sides, about 8 minutes.
• Mix in yogurt, saffron, and blanched almonds until well combined.
• Reduce the heat to low and simmer, covered, until the meat is tender and the gravy is thick, about 1 hour.
• Garnish the curry with chopped cilantro before serving.

SPICY SHRIMP MASALA

Steps:

• Pat shrimp dry, sprinkle with 1 teaspoon pepper and set aside.
• Heat ghee over medium heat in a wok or large (12-inch) frying pan until it has melted, about 30 seconds. Add ginger, garlic and onion and cook, stirring occasionally, until onion has softened, 5 to 7 minutes.
• Add chile powder, cumin, turmeric and Thai green chiles. Stir until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Add tomatoes and salt and cook, stirring occasionally, until the tomatoes have broken down and start to stick to the wok, about 15 minutes. Add coconut milk if you like it saucy.
• Add shrimp. Stir so that shrimp are evenly coated, and continue cooking, stirring occasionally so the shrimp cook evenly, until the shrimp turn pink and appear firm, 4 to 5 minutes.
• Turn off the heat, sprinkle with lemon juice, garam masala, cilantro and remaining ½ teaspoon black pepper. Serve with roti, store-bought pita or by itself.