My Masala Box

Every curry begins with a masala box. The masala box contains an assortment of spices that will make your curry taste delicious. After years of not having a box, my Mum bought me one from India (even though they are available in the UK, for some reason she still buys me Indian kitchen items from India in the belief that they are better. Her most recent purchase for me was a rolling board (patlo) to make rotli (Indian flat bread) on. Its very good!!)

Anyway so I now have my masala box and I use it every time I make a curry. And this is what is in my masala box; the essential spices to make any curry.

1) Mustard seeds (or small brown/black balls as I used to call them as a child)
You add these at the beginning, about a quarter to half a teaspoon, after the oil has heated up, and once they start to pop you know its time to add the vegetable to the dish.

2) Cumin seeds
You add this spice at the same time as the mustard seeds, usually about half a teaspoon. These whole spices flavour the oil. Cumin seeds have a lovely dense warm smell and flavour. This is one of my favourite spices.

3) Turmeric (the yellow one; note to self; get some more)
Generally you add approximately a quarter of a teaspoon of turmeric to your curry. You don't need to much of this spice. It gives the dish a beautiful colouring and flavour.

4) Chilli Powder (the red one)
This gives the heat to the dish, and you usually add about half a teaspoon to a dish.

5) Ground Coriander (the brown one)
This spice gives a wonderful flavour to the dish and you generally add two teaspoons to the dish.

And these are the main spices in my masala box. There are other flavourings you add depending on the dish, but I will come to that when I put some curry dishes up.

But for now, welcome to my masala box.