Curry pastes are a mixture of spices blended together to form a fairly smooth mixture. Generally the pastes are used in Thai and Indian cooking.

Time and time again, I am often asked whether there is a difference between a curry sauce and a curry paste and the short answer is yes.

Many variations of garam masala are available depending on the region and personal taste. This recipe has a more pungent and smoky flavour.

Garam means hot and masala means blend or mixture. This is a northern spice mixture which is used predominantly in Moghul and tandoori cuisine.

Garam Masala means quite literally a mixture of hot spices. It's a mixture made from warm spices such as cinnamon, clove and nutmeg.

There are several spice blends that are commercially available including Dhansak Masala.

Masala means a blend of spices. This recipe is from my mother who comes from the western state of Maharashtra in India where Mumbai is its capital.