Garam masala is an ingredient in the dal recipe I posted a few days ago (see Gentle Lentils) and was new to some people.
Garam means hot and masala means a spice mix.
The “hot” is not a spicy hot but rather a heat that warms the body (in principle).
I’ve learnt about this subtle and delicate flavouring mix from Kris Dhillon whose cookbook, The Curry Secret, is from the same imprint as Delicious Dishes for Diabetics–i.e. Right Way).
He writes:
“…the theory comes from the Hindu concept of medicine and diet called tridosha, which teaches that some foods have a warming effect on the body while others have a cooling effect. Spices such as cardomans, cloves, cinnamon, and nutmeg are garam constituents of this aromatic mixture.”
Garam masala is usually added towards the end of the cooking process; it can also be sprinkled over cooked food to enhance the flavour.
It is a mixture of spices that has infinite variations. You can buy it (just as you buy curry powder) or you can make your own. This version is from the wonderful Indian actress and food writer Madhur Jaffrey, author of Indian Cookery.
1 tablespoon cardoman seeds
2″/5 cm stick of cinnamon
1 teaspoon cumin seeds
1 teaspoon whole cloves
1 teaspoon black peppercorns
1/2 a small nutmeg–grated
Whizz the mix to a fine powder in a spice or coffee grinder.
Robin Ellis 
Thanks for sharing this! I bet it would be great to use garam masala for mulled hot cider.
Well worth a try!
Thank you, Robin, for clarifying Garam Masala. It is wonderful to know the meaning of each word and the spices that may compose the masala mix. It is getting cooler here in the American south and we are looking forward to the dal which will warm us to the bone.
Your book is fabulous. It is a work of art and a work of heart. It is too beautifu to keep in the kitchen. It could be a coffee table book! We can’t wait to try these inspired recipes for happy, delicious and healthy dining. THANK YOU!
Better in the kitchen with evidence of daily use–to my mind.
Of course you could have a second copy on the coffee table!!
Hi, Robin! Could use some “warming” food today–a Nor’eastern snowstorm has hit us–a good month early! Hadn’t even buttoned up the yard or brought the wood in, yet…Was doing so as the snow piled up–3 inches so far; 9 more coming!
It wasn’t like this 33 years ago this month…when the leaves were golden & you were filming “The Europeans” in nearby New Ipswich. I finally figured out how to post the pictures online so you & Meredith can see! For some reason, I can’t get a URL address, but if you go to Flickr.com & search “Robin Ellis,” amongst your own pictures you’ll see some somewhat grainy pics “from Dianne & Gene.” Click on any one, then you’ll get a link on the right for the whole photostream–about 20 pics.
Funnily enough, I had almost as many pictures of the horse as I had of you & the cast! (Typical 12-yr-old girl!) Never got a pic of Timothy Woodward, but I remember talking to him at the dinner–the “two Tims” were at our table, I think. So sad to hear about Tim Choate–I never knew what became of the rest of the cast until I started looking recently.
Hope these bring back many happy memories…Do share, if you’d like! 🙂
Cheers & Hugs–stay warm!
Meredith sourced the photos last night and they are a lovely reminder of the filming–thanks so much for taking the trouble to scan them all.
I imagine N Ipswich is pretty much the same as it appears in the pics. The one of the other house at dusk with the lights set up outside facing in, reminded me of the scene Lee and I played inside. I think it was the wretchedly indecisive Robert Acton NOT taking his chance with the Princess!! Ruth Prawer Jabwalla, who adapted the novel and worked often with Jim and Ismael, apologised to me once for not having written me a better role–not her fault!
Thanks again, Dianne–really nice to have these.
That’s ironic, I had one last photo that I didn’t post…it was taken from across the lawn & looking through the window. I think it had been you–it looks like your costume, but too far away to distinguish faces–and I had heard that Lee Remick was around that day, so it could’ve been that very scene! I remember being tempted to sneak across the lawn to get a closer view, but was afraid the director might be a little peeved if he saw a peeping tom lurking in the background of his shot. (I’ve tried reposting that one, but for some reason can’t get it to work.)
And yes, every time I see that scene with Robt. Acton, I want to yell, “C’mon, make your move!” But he never seems to listen… 🙂 Doesn’t the good guy always get the girl?
Drove through New Ipswich today, and you would be shocked to see it now! It’s under about 1/2 meter of snow, and has no electric power. The leaves are doing their best to hold the snow, but branches are either snapped or bending precariously. The mansion itself is a bit rough around the edges & could use some new paint. (The school I teach at is just ’round the corner from Barrett, so hopefully no school tomorrow so I can make your lentil recipe & a few others I’ve been wanting to try!) Miraculously, our own town is one of the few in the state to be spared the power outage. Funny, I don’t ever remember trick-or-treaters having to scale huge snow drifts to collect their candy on Halloween!! Hope things are warmer in France!
Cheers & hugs!
I bet it must have a lovely fragrance. Thank you for sharing.
Wow that was odd. I just wrote an extremely long comment but after I clicked submit my comment didn’t show up. Grrrr… well I’m not writing all that
over again. Anyhow, just wanted to say great blog!
Thank you!