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Garam Masala means quite literally a mixture of hot spices. It's a mixture made from warm spices such as cinnamon, clove and nutmeg. A bit like the spices one would find in a mulled wine. Many northern Indian households prepare their own blend. This one's from my house.

Ingredients:

5 black cardamoms

10-12 green cardamoms

4-5 pieces cassia bark or cinnamon sticks, about 2-3cm in length

5-6 bay leaves

5-7 cloves

1 tsp black peppercorns

1 tsp fennel seeds

Preparation:

Heat a heavy-based frying pan, then add all of the spices and cook for a couple of minutes to bring out the aromas and flavours, shaking the pan occasionally and being careful not to let them burn. Remove the pan from the heat and set aside to cool. Then put the spices into a coffee grinder and blitz. You may have to do this in batches.