When I first heard the name, I was wondering what a bucket (Balti in Hindi/Urdu) has to do with a masala. Later when I looked up in Wiki came to know that this has further evolved into being known closer to a kadai or wok. Another school of thought is that the Balti masala or Balti style of cooking has its origins in the North Pakisthan-Kashmir Belt. In UK Balti Cuisine refers to the cuisine from the above area. I believe that in the city of Birmingham UK, there are some designated Balti Houses(Restaurants). But to me it means a curry made in a wok with some spices!
I came across this masala in Raghavan Iyer's 660 Curries when I was doing the previous Blogging Marathon. I am so impressed with this masala that I have now replaced the store bought Garam masala with this Balti masala in my cooking. Trust me, it makes a fine substitute for garam masala.
So for Day 2 of this edition of BM#8, here is the aromatic Balti masala from the snow capped mountains of Kashmir and Pakistan..
Ingredients -
Fennel seeds / Sonf 2 tsp
Coriander seeds / Dhania 2 tsp
Cumin / Jeera 1 tsp
Mustard seeds 1 tsp
Cloves 1/2 tsp
Black cardamom seeds 1/2 tsp (Badi Elaichi)
Nigella seeds / Kalonji 1/2 tsp
Dried Bay leaves 3
Cinnamon 6 inch stick broken into small bits
Red Chilli Powder 2 tsp
Ground Nutmeg / Jajikai 1/2 tsp
Method Of Preparation -
Roast all the ingredients (except the red chilli powder and nutmeg) until they are highly fragrant. Cool them and powder them adding the red chilli powder and nutmeg powder. Store in an airtight container for future use.
Check to see what my fellow marathoners are up to in this edition of BM #8.
Sending to Srivalli's Condiment Mela and Desisoccermom's B2B - Dry spice powders.
Preparation Time 15 min
Makes 1/3 cup
I came across this masala in Raghavan Iyer's 660 Curries when I was doing the previous Blogging Marathon. I am so impressed with this masala that I have now replaced the store bought Garam masala with this Balti masala in my cooking. Trust me, it makes a fine substitute for garam masala.
So for Day 2 of this edition of BM#8, here is the aromatic Balti masala from the snow capped mountains of Kashmir and Pakistan..
Ingredients -
Fennel seeds / Sonf 2 tsp
Coriander seeds / Dhania 2 tsp
Cumin / Jeera 1 tsp
Mustard seeds 1 tsp
Cloves 1/2 tsp
Black cardamom seeds 1/2 tsp (Badi Elaichi)
Nigella seeds / Kalonji 1/2 tsp
Dried Bay leaves 3
Cinnamon 6 inch stick broken into small bits
Red Chilli Powder 2 tsp
Ground Nutmeg / Jajikai 1/2 tsp
Method Of Preparation -
Roast all the ingredients (except the red chilli powder and nutmeg) until they are highly fragrant. Cool them and powder them adding the red chilli powder and nutmeg powder. Store in an airtight container for future use.
Check to see what my fellow marathoners are up to in this edition of BM #8.
Sending to Srivalli's Condiment Mela and Desisoccermom's B2B - Dry spice powders.
Preparation Time 15 min
Makes 1/3 cup
Posts
Blog Directory
The masala sounds new to me...nice click
I have a book which has quite a few balti dishes....this masala looks good!
i too was wondering abt the name of the masala...;)..this masala sounds great n flavourful..
Flavourful spice powder,thanks for sharing..
wow, that is a lot of things going on in this masala, I am sure it tastes superb :)
looks like a spicy powder ......
Flavorful blend of spices.
I use north Indian spice powders limitedly as my husband hates any spice concoctions. :)
the masala sounds flavourful and tempting..
I'm already feeling the aroma of masala... Sure I'm making it for my kitchen..
mmm.looks so delicious and aromatic.
Spicy masala powder. Love the deep color, I'm sure it is very flavorful.
Masala looks to be very flavorful.
Deepa
Hamaree Rasoi
Sounds different!!!Beautiful clicks.
this looks nice and flavorful
Rajani
wow hv not heard abt this masala looks so aromatic..
Something new and nice
Masala looks flavorful .. thx for sharing.
Vardhini
Check out my 100th post giveaway.
Current Event: Herbs and Flowers - Garlic
Looks very aromatic Harini..you are not sending this for the mela??..:(
i love different garam masalas...this one needs to b tried asap....will post my version sometime...
Motivates me to try and make some. Looks so good!
Homemade masala sounds fresh and flavorful...
I have all the ingredients...Will make this soon. Thanks for sharing.
I have heard this name for the first time, poor me, 1 life and so much more to learn, when are you posting a recipe using this masala?
~Pradnya
As a substitute for Garam Masala? Lovely! I have always wanted to make Lamb dishes with this masala. Will make this at home for sure!
That's a great masala to know of. I've often had balti dishes in restaurants- never realized it was all because of a masala!
The masala looks so aromatic!! Thx for the suggestion to replace GM with this homemade, fresh masal..I recently bought 660 curries too & its a treasure book of all delicious recipes...Will try this out...
Prathima Rao
Prats Corner
bookmarked. I will also replace my garam masala with this one.
Do check out my event and send me your entries.
It is a flavorful masala!
Nice.. Nice.. looks really amazing :)
Indian Cuisine