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Sunday 3 October 2010

Just wanted to add this one on, as I have a delicious recipe for my prawn biriyani coming up that uses this spice mix. This recipe makes enough for one biriyani recipe. Increase quantities exponentially for a bigger batch that you can store in an airtight tin for up to a year.

This recipe has been born out of a lot of trial and error to find the spice level that suits our family, so do feel free to change it around to suit your spice tolerance.

Recipe:

3 inch stick of cinnamon or cassia bark
10 cloves
10 cardamom pods, lightly crushed (if using black cardamom, reduce to 5 pods)
4 bay leaves, dried
4 tbsp coriander seeds
2 tbsp whole cumin
1 tsp fenugreek seeds (methi)
1 tbsp fennel seeds
1/4 tsp of ground nutmeg (freshly grated is better)
3 or 4 pods of black cardamom, opened and lightly crushed (optional)
2 long mild red chillies

In a hot, heavy pan, add all the spices, except the nutmeg, and toss them around, constantly stirring, for around 1 - 3 minutes until they are lightly toasted and the kitchen smells heavenly! Do not allow the spices to burn, keep a sharp eye out.

In a powerful spice blender, grind the spices till they are a fine powder. Add the grated nutmeg to the mix, stir and it is ready to use. If making a big batch, store in an airtight container.

6 comments :

  1. WOW! This was an amazing recipe... Thank you so much! Emily from Petaluma, CA

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  2. Hi there,
    Just wondering if you have conversions to use ground substitutes as opposed to whole spices if we don't have the spice blender?
    Thanks!

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    Replies
    1. Hi Amanda, absolutely. The mix won't be as fragrant as a fresh ground one, but it will still be really good :)

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    2. Thanks Michelle - can you recommend proper amounts to substitute? Thanks so much!

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    3. Hi Amanda, 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon, 1/2 teaspoon cloves and 1/2 teaspoon ground cardamom increase to 1 teaspoon if not using black cardamom) seeds. Bay leaf is usually not ground, so you can skip it and use whole leaves in the biriyani. Everything else s straight substitutions in ground form. 1 teaspoon chili powder, mild.

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    4. Thank you! Much appreciated. Can't wait to try this!

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