Garam Masala is a spice blend used in Indian cuisine, from curries and lentil dishes to soups. It is a mixture of ground spices that typically includes cumin, coriander, black pepper, cinnamon, cloves and cardamom. This spice mix can be found in grocery stores or markets where Indian ingredients are sold.
The name literally means “hot mix” because it is usually added to hot dishes near the end of cooking to bring out its full flavor. Garam masala can be used with vegetables like cauliflower or potatoes to make a dish richer and more flavorful. The spices are roasted until they release their aroma before being ground together with other dry spices like bay leaves and dried red chilies for a few minutes until the mixture becomes powdery.