June’s featured spice blend is Garam Masala! Garam Masala is a traditional spice blend found across India, Pakistan, and Iran.
As with many traditional spice blends around the world, Garam Masala has many versions. Recipes can include five ingredients or as many as thirty– or of course, somewhere in between! And that is where our recipe falls, which is a blend of six ingredients: Cardamom, Cinnamon, Cloves, Cumin, Black Pepper, and Coriander.
Garam Masala translates to hot spice mix, but is not a spicy or hot blend as we describe spicy in the western world. Rather the translation of hot refers to the belief that these spices have the capacity to raise body temperature through the process of speeding up metabolism. This warming capacity is important in the Northern regions of India as the weather can become cold and bracing.
Read more about this interesting spice:
June’s SpiceScription Exclusive Recipes
June’s Garam Masala recipes feature lots of summer produce! All of this month’s recipes are vegetarian, but with all of the intense flavors you won’t miss the meat!
Coconut Milk Pulao (Indian Rice Pilaf)
Pulao is a dish that is made across India and Pakistan especially for special occasions. This coconut version is specific to the coast of the Southern regions of India where coconuts grow in abundance.
Baingan Bharta (Punjabi Eggplant)
Bharta (pronounced BHURR-taah) refers to dishes in which the ingredients are roughly mashed together. Bhartas are usually North Indian in origin and can be made from all sorts of vegetables. This month’s recipe was based on grilled eggplant.
Caramelized Garam Masala Bananas
The addition of Garam Masala to this sweet banana dish just adds a nice warming and spicy balance to the sweet caramel sauce!
Spices Included in June’s SpiceScription
In addition to the featured spice of Garam Masala, we’ve included all the spices needed to create these exclusive recipes. And enough quality Pacific Flake Sea Salt and Tellicherry Black Pepper for you to use throughout the month in all your cooking!
- Organic Ground Ginger Powder
- Organic Minced Garlic
- Organic Cinnamon stick
- Organic Whole cumin seed
- Organic Ground Cumin Seed
- Pacific Flake Sea Salt
- Organic Tellicherry Black Pepper
SpiceScription Letter
Every SpiceScription includes a letter describing this month’s featured spice in depth along with techniques to successfully create your recipes the very first time you make them. And lots of ways to use the featured spice in your everyday cooking!
What was your favorite recipe or hint in your box this month?!
Not a member of our SpiceScription Family, yet? We’d love to bring a box of new flavors, cooking techniques, and exclusive recipes to your door each month! Sign up now!
