Spinach was first domesticated in Persia (modern day Iran), and is most productive in climates without extremes of temperature, rain, and snow. It is the most popular leafy vegetable (in addition to lettuce), mainly due to its tender texture and mild flavor when eaten raw or lightly cooked. Spinach gained most popularity in 1930s in the United States due to a famous comic character Popeye, who loved spinach and gained superhuman strength from spinach. Popeye spinach is still one of the largest spinach selling brands in America.

Spinach comes in three varieties:

Flat-leaf spinach is the most popular type of spinach in the US, because of its smooth leaves, tender texture, and slightly sweet flavor. It is sold loose or pre-washed and packaged in supermarkets and is eaten raw as well as cooked. Baby spinach (popular in supermarkets) is a type of flat-leaf spinach that is harvested young for its small, tender, and sweet flavor. Flat-leaf spinach is also sold as canned and frozen spinach and is used in processed foods, soups, and baby foods.

Savory spinach has deep green and wrinkled curly leaves. It tastes bitter as compared to flat-leaf spinach and is not ideal for eating raw. Because of its crisp texture and bitter taste it taste best when cooked. It is sold in fresh bunches in supermarkets.

Semi-savory spinach - It is similar to savory spinach in taste with less wrinkled or curly leaves. It also tastes best on cooking because of its bitter taste and crisp texture. It is hybrid between savory and flat-leaf spinach and is sold in fresh bunches or in processed form in supermarkets.

Spinach is a low calorie food rich in vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. It is considered one of the world’s healthiest vegetables. It is an excellent source of Vitamins K, A, B12, B6, E, and C, manganese, folate, magnesium, iron, copper, calcium, and potassium. The antioxidants in spinach act as anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer agents.

When buying spinach, choose the vibrant green leaves and stems with no signs of yellowing or wilting. Also, avoid those that have slimy coating as this is a sign of decay. Store spinach in a plastic bag or box releasing out as much air as possible, and refrigerate it. It lasts for a week to 10 days in refrigerator.

Most researchers agree that onion has been cultivated for 5000 years or more, and they were first grown in central Asia. Others suggest that onions were first grown in Iran and western Pakistan. Onions can be grown in a variety of soils and climates and are less perishable; therefore, it is believed that they were domesticated simultaneously all over the world. It is interesting to know that Egyptians worshiped onions and believed that concentric rings of onions symbolize eternal life.

Due to pungent taste and smell, humans started onions to protect their plants from animals and insects. The strong flavor of onions comes from sulphur compounds, which onion plants absorb from soil when growing. When an onion is cut, certain enzyme breaks out producing strong sulphurous smell.

Cooking alters the strong and pungent taste of onions into meaty taste that adds flavor to various dishes in many cultures. Onions are also eaten in raw form to garnish many dishes. Cut onions can be rinsed properly to remove sulphur, when eaten raw. You can also put the onions in the freezer for 20-30 minutes to minimize the release of sulphurous smell and taste.

The sulphur compounds, flavonoids (antioxidants), and fructans (small carbohydrate molecules) help prevent cancer, stomach ulcer, and reduce symptoms of diabetes mellitus.

Whole dry onions should be stored at room temperature at dry place with proper ventilation. Do not store onions in closed plastic bags. Netted or punched bags are best to store whole onions for better ventilation, and last upto 4 weeks. Cut onions needs to be refrigerated. Cut onions stored in a sealed container can last up to a week.

Thai chili pepper, also known as the Bird’s Eye or Bird pepper is one of the hottest chili peppers. It is small in size and high in heat and pungency. It is native to Mexico, Central America, and South America and is most commonly found in South Asia and Southeast Asia. It is a standard ingredient in South Asian and Southeast Asian cuisines and is used to add heat and spiciness to food.

In whole, chopped, or ground form, it is used to flavor curries, stews and soups, salads, hot sauces, marinades, rubs for barbecue, and seafood dishes. Chopped peppers with whole seeds add most heat and spiciness to the dishes, and it is a popular way of garnishing the savory dishes and salads in South Asian and Southeast Asian countries. To get mild spiciness and yet maintain the flavor and aroma of the chili peppers, completely remove the seeds and blanch the peppers.

Thai chili peppers ripen from green to orange and finally to bright red. The chili peppers at each stage are great for consumption and can also be used in combination. The mature red thai chili peppers are used in fresh as well as dried form. After harvesting, they are dried in sun for about 1 to 2 weeks, depending on the climate. They dry faster in climates with even sunlight and low moisture. Dried peppers have different flavor than fresh peppers and are chewy in texture. Dried red thai chili peppers are also ground to make red chili powder.

Thai chili peppers are sold in most of the supermarkets and Indian and South Asian grocery stores in the US. If not available, they can be replaced with serrano peppers. Store fresh thai chili peppers in a plastic bag, releasing as much air as possible, and refrigerate them. They will last for about 2 weeks in refrigerator. Store dried red thai chili peppers in a tightly closed jar in a dry and cool place, away from sunlight. They last for about a year if not in contact with moisture.

Native to the Mediterranean regions and northern Africa, cumin has been cultivated for thousands of years in the Middle East, India, China and the Mediterranean. Cumin is one of the most consumed spices in the world.

Cumin is a drought tolerant and grows best in warm, dry climates. Ideal temperatures for growing cumin is between 77°F to 86°F. Depending on the location, cumin has a growing season of 3 to 4 months. The plant produces small white or pink flowers and dark green seed pods. The seeds are harvested when the plant starts to wilt and the seed pods changes from dark green to brownish yellow.

India has been the largest producer of cumin with around 75% of the total crop produced, followed by Syria, Turkey, Iran, and China.

Cumin is used to in various curry powders and spice blends to flavor dishes in India, Middle East, Mexico, Portugal, and Spain. Cumin adds nutty and spicy taste to the grilled meat, soups and stews, sausages, pickles, and rice and bean dishes. It is also used to make liqueur - an alcoholic drink consumed after meal. Oil of cumin is used in fragrances.

Cumin can be used as whole seed or in powdered form that are easily available in grocery stores or can be made at home by grinding the cumin seeds. To make cumin powder at home:

• Either dry the cumin seeds in sun for a couple of days or slightly roast the seeds without oil in a pan. Roasting the seeds before grinding enhances the taste and aroma of the coriander powder. Also, drying in sun or roasting removes moisture from the seeds and adds crispness, which helps in powdering the seeds.


• Let the seeds cool and then grind them in a spice grinder. You can also use a coffee grinder for grinding spices; however it’s not recommended to use the same grinder for grinding spices and coffee.


• Store cumin powder in a tightly sealed container in a cool, dark, and dry place. If you are making cumin powder at home, cool it down before storing. It usually last for 4-6 months at room temperature. Refrigerate it for a longer shelf life of 18-24 months.

In addition to adding flavor to the dishes, cumin helps in digestion and digestive problems. The essential oil in cumin activates the salivary glands in mouth that helps in primary digestion of food. The presence of essential oil, sodium, and magnesium in cumin provides relief from stomach aches. The essential oil in cumin also relieves stress and anxiety and helps inducing sleep. Presence of caffeine in combination with essential oil loosen up and eliminate mucus and phlegm in respiratory tract, which help to heal the initial condition leading to respiratory disorders such as asthma.

Cumin seeds last for about an year whereas cumin powder lasts for about six months at room temperature. Store the cumin seeds or powder in a tight lid jar in a cool, dark, and dry place. If you do not use it often in your cooking then keep the seeds or powder in the freezer to last up to 2 years.

Cumin powder is available in Indian and South Asian grocery stores. Some of the popular brands of cumin powder are Nirav, Deep, SWAD, Spicy World, and Jiva. You may also find it in supermarkets or gourmet markets. It is also available at online grocery stores such as amazon.com, where you will be able to choose from several brands.

Turmeric powder is a bright and deep yellow colored powder made by grinding dried underground stems of turmeric, which is starchy in nature. In India and some of its neighboring countries, turmeric in stem or powdered form has been used to color skin and clothing and to add color and aroma to food. It is also used as a pious powder during festivals and marriage ceremonies. In other parts of the world, turmeric is mainly used to add color and aroma to food. Turmeric has pungent and bitter taste but musky and mild fragrance.

Turmeric powder is made by steaming or boiling the underground stems in slightly alkaline water (measures above 7.0 on the pH scale) to precook the starch in turmeric. The alkaline water also improves the color of turmeric. Boiled turmeric stems are sun-dried and ground to make powder.

Turmeric powder is mainly used in curries, stir fried dishes, and dry rubs. It is also used in some spicy salad dressing and smoothies and drinks.

The compound called curcuminoids in turmeric is responsible for its yellow color and has antioxidant and preservative properties. Due to its antioxidant properties, use of turmeric in food helps prevent certain type of cancer, lowers cholesterol, lowers the risk of cardiovascular diseases, and protects from Alzheimer’s disease. Due to its preservative property, use of turmeric in food helps in extending the shelf-life of food.

Turmeric has also been used in Indian and Chinese system of medicine as an anti-inflammatory agent to treat various conditions such as toothache, bruises, chest pain, and digestion problems. In addition, turmeric contains very good amounts of minerals like iron, calcium, potassium, manganese, zinc, copper, and magnesium.

Store turmeric powder in a tightly sealed container in a cool, dark, and dry place. At room temperature, turmeric powder will taste fresh for 4 to 6 months. Refrigerate it for a longer shelf-life of up to 2 years.

Turmeric powder is available in Indian and South Asian grocery stores. Some of the popular brands of turmeric powder are Nirav, Deep, SWAD, Spicy World, and Jiva. You may also find it in supermarkets or gourmet markets. It is available at online grocery stores such as amazon.com, where you will be able to choose from several brands.

Chaat masala is a blend of certain spices that provides extra spiciness and tanginess to the savory dishes. It contains some basic spices found in every South Asian kitchen, such as coriander, cumin, and black pepper as well as some ingredients that are not commonly used, such as dried powdered mint, black salt, dried ginger powder, and dried mango powder. These spices, when blended together, create a distinctive flavor.

Chaat masala is very popular in the cuisines of India, Pakistan, and Bangladesh. It is used in a small quantity, along with other spices, to add more flavor to savory vegetarian dishes and marinades. You can sprinkle chaat masala on salad, lemonade, or even fruits for added zing.

You can buy kebab masala at Indian or South Asian grocery stores. The most popular brands of kebab masala are Shan, Everest, and MDH. It is also available at online grocery stores such as amazon.com.

Chaat masala is a blend of certain spices that provides extra spiciness and tanginess to the savory dishes. It contains some basic spices found in every South Asian kitchen, such as coriander, cumin, and black pepper as well as some ingredients that are not commonly used, such as dried powdered mint, black salt, dried ginger powder, and dried mango powder. These spices, when blended together, create a distinctive flavor.

Chaat masala is very popular in the cuisines of India, Pakistan, and Bangladesh. It is used in a small quantity, along with other spices, to add more flavor to savory vegetarian dishes and marinades. You can sprinkle chaat masala on salad, lemonade, or even fruits for added zing.

You can buy kebab masala at Indian or South Asian grocery stores. The most popular brands of kebab masala are Shan, Everest, and MDH. It is also available at online grocery stores such as amazon.com.

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Olive is one of the oldest known cultivated trees in the world. It is said that Olive trees are being cultivated before the invention of written language. Olive trees are draught tolerant and are native to eastern Mediterranean region. The trees can survive and bear fruits for a thousand year. Olives are small fruits of the Olive tree. During prehistoric time, people use to grind and drain the pulp of olives to get oil for cooking and lighting lamps. Oil extracted from olives was also used for cosmetic purposes.

Today, olive oil is popular than any other oil for culinary use and health benefits. About 90% of the olive fruit produce goes toward the production of olive oil. The oil is produced by pressing the whole olives and is used for cooking, cosmetics, pharmaceutical uses, and as fuel for certain lamps.

Olive oil used for cooking and eating is broadly classified as extra virgin, virgin, pure, and light. The difference is mainly in the process of production of different verities, due to which they contain different levels of antioxidant and have different smoking point.

Extra virgin olive oil is the best quality and is extracted using mechanical process such as cold pressing and centrifugation. The olives are pressed at normal temperature without the use of heating and chemicals. This method of extraction helps preserve most of the antioxidants and hence, makes the oil of high quality. The extra virgin olive oil smokes at a very low temperatures ranging from 200 to 372 degree Fahrenheit depending upon the quality (the better the quality have higher smoking point). Therefore, extra virgin olive oil is considered cold dishes like salad dressing and dips as well as cooking at a medium heat. You can use the good quality extra virgin oil to sauté vegetables, shallow frying eggs, and meats. It’s not recommended to use extra virgin olive oil for deep frying at higher temperatures.

Virgin olive oil is extracted using the same process as extra virgin. It has same levels of monounsaturated fats, antioxidant, and has the similar smoking point. It’s different from extra virgin because it’s made using relatively ripe olives, which gives it light flavor. The usage of virgin oil for cooking is same as extra virgin oil.

Pure olive oil has the same monounsaturated fat content, but has less antioxidant. Pure olive oil, also called olive oil, is a blend of virgin oil and refined pomace oil (also called refined olive oil). Pomace oil, a leftover during the extraction of extra virgin and virgin oils, is refined before mixing it to the virgin oil. The blend contains only about 5 to 10% of virgin oil. It’s lighter in taste, and has higher smoking point that makes it fit for sautéing and frying.

Light olive oil has the same percentage of monounsaturated fat, but lowest level of antioxidants. It’s basically refined olive oil, manufactured by the using some chemical and heat to get rid of impurities. It’s smoking point is highest and is ideal for high temperature cooking, such as deep frying and baking.

At higher temperatures, required for deep frying, extra virgin and virgin oil lose their antioxidant properties and flavor. Therefore, many cooks use pure or light olive oil for frying. Some views suggest that cooking with extra virgin and virgin olive oil at high temperatures is harmful for health; however, there is no substantial evidence to support such views. This might be a myth or a truth. Therefore, to be on the safe side, it’s advisable to use pure and light olive oil for higher temperature cooking such as deep frying, and use good quality extra virgin and virgin olive oil for cold dishes and cooking at medium temperature such as sautéing.

Because of the higher monounsaturated fat content, all kinds of olive oil lasts longer than other oils. After opening, close the cap or lid completely and store in a cool, dark, and dry place, and use it within 3 – 4 months from opening. Due to the presence of antioxidant substances, extra virgin and virgin oils are more resistant to damage by oxygen in air. However, the chlorophyll in the oil makes them vulnerable to damage by light. Therefore, always store the extra virgin and virgin oil in a dark place away from light. Refrigeration slightly solidifies the oil, which comes back to its liquid state when kept at room temperature, but will lose its flavor.

Olive oil has high content of antioxidants called polyphenols, carotenoids, and tocopherols. It’s high in monounsaturated fat and has low saturated and polyunsaturated fat. This composition makes it healthy for heart and for prevention of many medical conditions like, cancer, high blood pressure, and diabetes. According to some recent research, consumption of olive oil improves calcium absorption; hence, prevents the onset osteoporosis.

You can buy olive oil at any grocery store. It is available at online grocery stores such as www.amazon.com. Type the kind of olive oil you want to buy on search bar, you will be able to choose from several options.

Paneer (a Persian word for cheese, also spelled as “Panir”) is unaged cheese made by curdling boiled milk with lime/lemon juice, vinegar, or citric acid. Unlike other cheese, paneer does not require any animal product such as rennet for coagulation; therefore, is a great cheese option for vegetarians.

The method of making paneer by curdling milk with acidic/sour ingredient was introduced to India by Portuguese in Bengal (one of eastern states in India) in the 18th century. Paneer is popularly known as chhena or chhana in many parts of India. In addition to Indian cuisine, paneer is popular in the cuisines of Pakistan, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, and Afghanistan. It’s interesting to know that in Iran and Armenia, paneer refers to feta cheese.

Paneer has a mild taste and does not melt when cooked. It maintains its texture and turns golden brown upon frying, which makes it a great main ingredient for a variety of vegetarian savory dishes, such as such as Matar Paneer, Palak Paneer, and Paneer Tikka. Paneer is also used for making a variety of desserts such as Rasgulla, Sandesh, and Rasmalai.

You can make your own paneer at home or buy readymade paneer at an Indian or South Asian grocery store and at the supermarkets (such as Walmart and Whole Foods). You can also find paneer at Costco.

Steps for making paneer at home.

Making paneer involves three main steps:

1. Curdling milk to separate milk solid from whey (watery part of milk)

• In a nonstick pot, bring 8 cups of whole milk to boil over medium heat. Stir the milk frequently to prevent it from burning.


• As soon as the milk starts to boil, reduce the flame to low and add ¼ cup of lime or lemon juice.


• Stir gently, until milk solid separates from the green whey.

Note: At this step, if milk does not curdle then add a couple more tablespoons of lime/lemon juice and increase the heat to medium.


• Remove from heat and set the milk solid and whey aside to bring down the temperature from hot to warm.


• In the meantime, set a strainer/colander in your kitchen sink and line it with cheesecloth.

2. Draining off the whey

• When the milk solid and whey in the pot is cool enough, pour into the cheesecloth-lined strainer/colander.


• Rinse off the milk solid with fresh water to remove the flavor of lime/lemon juice.


• Hold the ends of the cheesecloth together to twist the milk solid to squeeze away extra whey.


• Now tie the cheesecloth to your kitchen faucet to drain the remaining whey. Removing whey from milk solid will result into firm paneer.

3. Shape the paneer

• Once the whey stop dripping from the cheesecloth in the kitchen sink, your paneer is ready, but not in a nice and solid form. At this point, the paneer will not hold a shape firmly.


• Twist the paneer in the cheesecloth and give it a rectangular shape with your palms. Place the paneer with the cheesecloth on a wide plate, put another plate on top of it, and move this setting to the refrigerator. Make sure to keep the twisted part of the cheesecloth on the side.


• Set a heavy jar or can on top of the second plate and leave this setting in the refrigerator for about 30 minutes. Your paneer is ready to use.

How to store paneer?

To store homemade paneer, wrap it in a moist cheesecloth and refrigerate it. Moisten the cheesecloth when it’s dry to prevent the paneer from drying out in the refrigerator. If you are using store bought paneer then keep it refrigerated and take out of the refrigerator 20 to 30 minutes before using.

Why should you eat paneer?

Paneer is a good source of protein especially for vegetarians who do not get protein from meat sources. Paneer is also rich in calcium and vitamin B that help in absorption and distribution of calcium in our body. Therefore, paneer helps in bone growth and prevents from diseases like osteoporosis and tooth and gum problems.

Paneer is high in protein but low in carbohydrate (protein to carbohydrate ratio is 14:3), which makes it safe to consume for weight watcher and people with health conditions like diabetes.

In addition to being a good source of calcium and protein, paneer contains zinc that is an essential mineral for many organs, such as brain and kidneys to function properly. Selenium, which is an antioxidant that prevents cell damages, is also present in paneer. It also reduces the risk of many types of cancer such as colon and prostate cancer.

Due to rich in calcium, protein, antioxidants, and certain minerals, consumption of paneer give you healthy skin, nails, and hair.

Tomatoes started to grow as small berries on bushes in western South America, but were not eaten. Mexicans were the first to use tomatoes in cooking, and gradually tomatoes were used as food throughout the world. However, tomatoes were considered unfit for eating in European countries until early 19th century, due to resemblance with deadly nightshade, a poisonous plant. Around the year 1820, tomatoes started to be seen in European vegetable markets, mainly due to immigration and blending of culture. Italian-Americans ate tomatoes and brought them to Italy. Therefore, Italy was the first European country to cultivate tomatoes for consuming as food.

Today, thousands of varieties of tomatoes are eaten all over the world. You can use any type of red colored tomato for Indian curry recipes. However, for making tomato soup, Roma tomatoes are best as they are relatively dry and have few seeds.

Buy tomatoes that are heavy for its size, firm, and deeply colored. For the best taste, tomatoes should be cooked with skin, outer fleshy wall beneath the skin, and jelly and juice surrounding the seeds, and then strained for fineness. This process helps restore acidity and aroma of the tomatoes. Also, tomato skin contains maximum lycopene, so cooking tomatoes with skin helps in getting more antioxidant in food.

Tomatoes are rich in vitamin A and C, and the red varieties are excellent source of antioxidant carotenoid lycopene (which makes them red). Lycopene in tomatoes may help in reducing the formation of free radicals known to cause cancer. New research has shown that antioxidant power of tomatoes increases when the tomatoes are cooked.

Tomatoes taste best when stored at room temperature. The fresh flavor and aroma of tomatoes is compromised when refrigerated. For best taste and texture, refrigerated tomatoes should be allowed to come back to room temperature before eating.

Coriander, also known as cilantro and Chinese parsley, is an herb native to Southeastern Europe and is cultivated in Egypt, Middle East, China, India, and Turkey. Coriander powder is made by grinding the dried or roasted seeds of coriander plant. The seeds are small (2-3 mm long), oval in shape, and light brown in color. Coriander powder provides mild-nutty flavor and aroma to many savory and sweet dishes.

Due to its mild-nutty taste and aroma, coriander powder is an essential ingredient in many vegetable and meat curry preparations and barbecue rubs and sauces. It is also added to waffle and pancake mixes and dessert sauces for an enhanced taste.

The presence of coriander powder in food stimulates the taste buds and helps digestion. Including coriander in your diet has many health benefits. It is a great source of potassium, iron, vitamin A, K and C, folic acid, magnesium, and calcium. It is a good source of antioxidants and helps detoxify the body.

Coriander powder is easily available in grocery stores or can be made at home by grinding the coriander seeds. To make coriander powder at home:

• Either dry the coriander seeds in sun for a couple of days or slightly roast the seeds without oil in a pan. Roasting the seeds before grinding enhances the taste and aroma of the coriander powder. Also, drying in sun or roasting removes moisture from the seeds and adds crispness, which helps in powdering the seeds.


• Let the seeds cool and then grind them in a spice grinder. You can also use a coffee grinder for grinding spices; however it’s not recommended to use the same grinder for grinding spices and coffee.


• Store coriander powder in a tightly sealed container in a cool, dark, and dry place. If you are making coriander powder at home, cool it down before storing. It usually last for 4-6 months at room temperature. Refrigerate it for a longer shelf life of 18-24 months.

Coriander powder is available in Indian and South Asian grocery stores. Some of the popular brands of coriander powder are Nirav, Deep, SWAD, Spicy World, and Jiva. You may also find it in supermarkets or gourmet markets. It is available at online grocery stores such as amazon.com, where you will be able to choose from several brands.

Red chili powder is made by grinding dried deep red-brown thai chili peppers. Native to central and South America, red thai chili peppers were introduced to South Asia in 1500s and now India is the largest producer of these peppers in the world. Either in powdered or whole form, the chili peppers are used to add extra heat and spiciness to the dishes, which is due to the presence of a compound called capsaicin.

Red chili powder is a widely used spice for preparing a variety of curries, soups, stews, marinades, sauces, and dry rubs for barbecue. It is also used to flavor some sweet dishes such as cakes, brownies, truffles, and chocolates.

Red chili powder is a healthy seasoning. It contains significant amount of vitamin A and C, and beta carotenoids (a red-orange pigment that acts as an antioxidant and converts into vitamin A). It also helps to detoxify our body.

When purchasing red chili powder at store, look for the bright red colored powder for best taste. For making red chili powder at home:

• Buy dry (not fresh) whole red thai chili peppers and remove the stems.


• Further dry the chili peppers in sun for a couple of days or slightly roast them for 2-3 minutes, without oil in a pan. Drying or roasting removes moisture from the chili peppers and adds extra crispness, which is required to powder them. Roasting the chili peppers enhances its flavor and aroma.


• Let the dried or roasted chili peppers cool down and then grind to a fine powder in a spice grinder. You can also use a coffee grinder for this purpose; however, the coffee grinder should be used for grinding spices only. It is not advisable to use the same grinder for spices and coffee.

Store red chili powder in a tightly sealed container in a cool, dark, and dry place. If you are making the powder at home, cool it down before storing. Like most of the powdered spices, red chili powder lasts for 4-6 months at room temperature. It will last for about 18-24 months when refrigerated or kept in the freezer.

Red chili powder is available in Indian and South Asian grocery stores. Some of the popular brands of red chili powder are Nirav, Deep, SWAD, Spicy World, and Everest. You may also find it in supermarkets or gourmet markets. It is available at online grocery stores such as amazon.com, where you will be able to choose from several brands.

An authentic garam masala is a collection of four spices either in whole or powdered form. The four spices, green cardamom, black cardamom, clove, and cinnamon stick added in the right proportion enhances the flavor and aroma of the dishes. The word ‘garam’ means warm or hot and ‘masala’ means spice; however, garam masala does not mean that the spices are hot. It means that the spices raise your body temperature by increasing the metabolism. The taste of garam masala in food is intense (not hot) yet pleasant.

Either in whole or powdered form, it is an essential ingredient in many Indian and South Asian cuisine. The whole garam masala is usually added to the hot oil before other ingredients to release its flavor to the oil. On the other hand, the garam masala powder is added to the dishes with other powdered spices while cooking or just for seasoning the dishes toward the end of the cooking. Garam masala is used to flavor a variety of curries, stews, and soups and marinades and rubs for barbecue. Green cardamom, cinnamon, and clove are used to flavor a wide range of desserts.

Readymade garam masala powder is available in Indian or South Asian grocery stores or gourmet markets. However, the readymade masala contains several ingredients in addition to the four basic spices, which makes it not taste exactly like the authentic garam masala. I have tried it once and decided to make my own at home. It tastes good, but does not taste like real garam masala. However, you can go ahead and try to see if you like it.

There are two methods to make garam masala powder at home:

Method 1:

Most grocery stores that sell Indian or South Asian spices, also sell powdered green cardamom, cinnamon, and clove individually in small packets. Go ahead and buy the spices powder and mix them at home in the proportion listed below:

Black Cardamom Powder - 2 tablespoon
Cinnamon Powder – 1 tablespoon
Green Cardamom Powder – 1/2 tablespoon
Clove Powder – 1/2 tablespoon

The above ingredients mixed together will make ½ cup (4 ounces) garam masala powder.

Method 2:

This is the tradition method of making garam masala at home by roasting and grinding the whole garam masala as follows:

Whole black cardamom pods – 6 (Use whole, not shelled)
Whole cinnamon sticks – 5 (3 inches long)
Whole green cardamom pods – 10 (Use whole, not shelled)
Whole cloves - 12

Since we are using whole cardamom pods with shell, the above ingredients together after grinding will make a little more than ½ cup garam masala powder.

Slightly roast or warm the above listed whole spices for about 2-3 minutes and let it cool. Then grind them together in a spice grinder or a coffee grinder designated for grinding spices only. Roasting or warming the spices adds crispness and intensifies the flavor and aroma of the spices. Cool the powdered garam masala before storing.

Store the masala powder in a tight lid jar in a cool, dark, and dry place. It will last for about six months at room temperature. If you do not use it often in your cooking then keep it in the freezer to last up to 2 years.

In addition to the adding wonderful flavor and aroma to the food, garam masala helps in boosting metabolism and promoting weight loss. It helps in absorbing nutrients and lowering blood sugar. It also helps in detoxification.

You can buy whole or powdered garam masala at any Indian or South Asian grocery store or gourmet markets. It is available at online grocery stores such as amazon.com. Type the name of garam masala spice you want to buy on search bar, you will be able to choose from several brands.

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Salt is a mineral composed of a chemical compound called sodium chloride. It is essential for human body to regulate fluid balance and to control function of nerves and muscles. Human body cannot produce its own salt and depends on various sources of salt in food for necessary daily intake.

In addition to being just a diet supplement, salt helps in extracting the real flavors of savory as well as sweet dishes. No other seasoning has been found so fulfilling to replace salt. However, the overuse of salt results into a lot of health problems, such as hypertension, heart disease, and strokes. Use salt mildly in your food to you can enjoy its goodness.

Ginger-garlic paste is an important ingredient in Indian cooking. Most of the savory recipes in Indian cooking require ginger-garlic paste. You can either make the paste at home or buy it at an Indian or South Asian grocery store or gourmet markets.

The process of making ginger-garlic paste at home is very simple. All you need is peeled ginger and garlic in equal quantities and some olive oil (or any cooking oil of your choice).

To make 8 ounces (1 cup) of ginger-garlic paste, you’d need:

Ginger – 4 ounces (1/2 cup), peeled and cut into pieces
Garlic – 4 ounces (1/2 cup), peeled and cut into pieces
Olive oil – 1 tablespoon

Blend the ginger and garlic pieces with olive oil in a blender or a food processor. The oil will help ginger and garlic blend together. Store the paste in an airtight container and refrigerate it. It will stay fresh for 7-10 days.

In addition to enhancing the flavor and aroma of the food, ginger and garlic provide many health benefits if consumed on a regular basis. Both ginger and garlic have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. Ginger has been proven to relieve a variety of ailments, such as gastrointestinal distress, motion sickness, arthritis, and cold and flu. Using garlic in food may help prevent many heart and blood system related conditions such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and coronary heart disease. Some researchers also claim that consumption of garlic on a regular basis reduces the risk of certain cancers such as stomach cancer, colon cancer, and lung cancer.