Making your own curry powder

Curry powder is a mixture of spices based on South Asian cuisine.  A similar spice blend exists in the north, called garam masala.  Although you can buy readymade curry powder, it’s easy to make your own using everyday spices you will find at your local supermarket. Most recipes and producers of curry powder usually include: Coriander Turmeric Cumin Fenugreek and Red pepper Additional ingredients include: Garlic Ginger Fennel seeds Cinnamon Cloves Mustard seed Green and black cardamom Mace Nutmeg and Black pepper   To make your own curry blend: Pick your spices and lightly toast (but be careful NOT to burn) them in a non-stick pan – this helps to release their flavour and aroma.  Don’t…

Mustard oil

There are two different oils that the term ‘mustard oil’ refers to.  Both are made from mustard seed and each has its own uses: Culinary mustard oil is a fatty vegetable oil, made from pressed seeds. The essential oil, made by grinding seeds with water and extracting the oil by distillation, is used therapeutically for massage.   Uses Mustard oil is the most popular oil in Indian cooking and is used to make many traditional dishes.  It has a pungent, hot and nutty taste and is used to marinate and flavour food and also in the cooking process as a frying oil. Its popularity has declined over the years due to cheaper vegetable oils being…