Chaat Masala Spice Blend Recipe
What is Chaat Masala
Chaat masala is a popular Indian spice blend made with a long list of fragrant herbs and spices. Among those ingredients are some that are lesser known to the vast majority of the rest of the world—spices like amchoor (dried mango powder), black salt, asafoetida (a dried resin that is sourced from the roots of a plant related to carrots and celery), and ajwain seeds (carom). Additionally, it contains more common ingredients including dried chiles, cumin, black pepper, fennel seed, cloves, nutmeg, and mint. In Indian cuisine, Chaat is not a single dish, but an endless list of street foods or snacks and many of them are seasoned with some variation of this blend.
Uses for chaat masala seasoning.
This versatile spice blend can elevate a wide range of dishes. Among the most common are aloo tikki (potato patties), palak chaat (spinach fritters), and channa chaat (a seasoned chickpea dish). Chaat masala uses extend far beyond its traditional use in Indian street food, however.
Try sprinkling a pinch of chaat masala on freshly popped popcorn for a zesty twist that combines the savory and tangy flavors of the spice blend. Mix chaat masala into your favorite homemade salad dressing to create a fusion of Indian and Western flavors, making your salads pop with a unique and tantalizing taste. For a mouthwatering fusion dish, use chaat masala as a seasoning for roasted vegetables, giving them a burst of spice and acidity that complements the caramelized sweetness of the veggies. You can even use it as a rimming salt for cocktails, adding an unexpected kick to your margaritas or bloody marys.
Chaat masala's complex blend of spices, including cumin, coriander, and amchur, makes it an excellent choice for experimenting with international cuisines, providing a burst of exotic flavor to everything from grilled meats to roasted nuts. So, don't limit chaat masala to Indian cuisinem alone; let your creativity run wild in the kitchen, and discover new and exciting ways to incorporate this versatile seasoning bend into your cooking.
How to make homemade chaat masala seasoning.
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoon cumin seeds
- 2 tablespoons coriander seeds
- 2 teaspoons fennel seeds
- 3 tablespoons mango powder
- 2 tablespoons black salt, or substitute another sea salt
- 1 teaspoon ground ginger powder
- 2 teaspoon dried mint leaves
- 1 teaspoon ajwain seeds
- ½ teaspoon dried, ground chiles
- 1 teaspoon black peppercorns
- 4 cloves
- ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
- ¼ teaspoon asafoetida powder
Procedure
- Toast all of your whole spices on a dry pan over medium heat. Stir continuously until the aromas begin to waft through the air. Remove from the pan and let cool.
- Add all of the spices to a spice grinder or hand grind using a mortar and pestle.
- Store your Chaat Masala in an air-tight container in a cool, dry place and use it on a wide variety of savory snacks.
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