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Sometimes great recipes come as the result of a kitchen faux pas. This is a case in point.
A few years ago I tried a new recipe for an Indian dish that looked really promising. It turned out to be a complete flop. Except for the spice mix that came with it! I realized after the fact that I had measured the spice ingredients incorrectly, but the result is something that has been on our kitchen table everyday since! We put it on almost everything! I even have a “no pepper added” version for our youngest who has a very low tolerance for spiciness.
In India, there are a number of spice mixes that are as individual as each family. Curry would be one example, and chat or garam masala would be another. Masala means “spice mix”. I am really proud of this “mixtake.” We even once had an Indian family over for dinner and the wife asked me for the recipe! Now, that’s a compliment!
By the way, I highly recommend Herbtrader.com and Mountain Rose Herbs for spices. More on that at a later date.
Chat Masala
Ingredients:
1 1/3 T ground cumin
2 2/3 t ground coriander
1 1/3 t pepper
2 t salt (I recommend Real Salt.)
Method
1. Place all ingredients in a bowl or jar.
2. Mix well.
3. Store in an airtight container.
4. Sprinkle on your veggies, main dishes, rice, pasta dishes…everything…and enjoy!
I mix up to 16 times or more of this at one time and we leave it on the table along with pepper and salt. It is one of our condiments of choice.
This dish a “must have topper” for my Most Requested Recipe – Pakistani Beef Curry (w/ vegan option). I guarantee that you’ll love it!
I used to purchase ground spices but over the past year have graduated to grinding my own coriander and cumin. The flavor is so much better and you can purchase your spices in bulk and save money without worrying about your spices losing flavor!
Some related “spicy” posts:
- Homemade Vegetable Broth / All-Purpose Seasoning
How about you? Do you have a favorite spice mix or one you would like me to “create”?
Hey Adrienne, I just got through mixing some of this up and made a quick scrambled egg to test it out on. I thought it was great! I shared with my one year old son (whom we have taught some very basic sign language to) and he kept signing “more, more”! So I’m pretty sure that he liked it too!
Yea – I am so glad you all liked it! We think it’s pretty great too!
I love going to Central Market and buying only as much spice as I need for whatever special think I am cooking – gotta look into getting the ingredients for this next time I am there. Thanks!
You’re welcome, Gina!
I love making spice mixes…especially to replicate my favorite…Tazo’s Organic Chai. I’m not sure why your’s is called Chat Masala instead of Chai? Is it because it’s not the usual chai flavors? I’ll have to mix yours up and give it a try. What I love about Chai Masala is the added black pepper, which some brands don’t include.
Hi Susan,
From what I understand, chai masala is for making tea. My seasoning is for food. I found it as part of an Indian recipe, but when I mixed it up I did it wrong – and it turned out great! I hope you enjoy it!
A little confused, what is ‘pepper’? Black pepper? Red pepper…?
Black pepper. Typically that is the standard if a recipe just says “pepper” but I should maybe add that to the post
. Thanks for stopping by!
Adrienne. . . your are right about Chat Masala. I have nearly finished using up my first large batch and will make a much larger one next time. It is an outstanding spice. I even use it sprinkled on top of Moroccan Vinaigrette when I want to take that one further. Thanks for the tastes. . .
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You’re so welcome, Vern! We do the same thing. Chat Masala and the Moroccan Vinaigrette are on our table all the time. My kids say, “Please pass the Morock!” and “Pass the Chat, please!”
Hi! I’m always looking for new spice mixes. I’m just wondering if you could give me some examples of what you use this on? Thanks!
Oh, and what is the “no pepper added version”? Do you just not add the pepper or are the other ingredients different/changed too?
I just don’t add the pepper…
Pretty much everything. Did you see my Pakistani Curry recipe? We put it on the Moroccan Carrots, all veggies–pretty much anything. There are few recipes that it doesn’t go with.