Making homemade biryani masala powder is easy and adds a special touch to your biryani dishes. This recipe uses simple ingredients and a few steps to create a flavorful spice mix. You can store this masala for later use, ensuring you always have fresh, aromatic spices ready for your biryani.
Ingredients
- 3 dried Kashmiri red chillies
- 7 bay leaves (tej patta)
- 2 tablespoons coriander seeds (dhaniya seeds)
- 1 tablespoon cumin seeds (jeera)
- 1 tablespoon caraway seeds (kala jeera/shah jeera)
- 3 mace pieces (javitri)
- 2-inch cinnamon stick (dalchini)
- 1 nutmeg (jaayaphal)
- 1 teaspoon cloves (lavang)
- 3 black cardamom pods (badi elachi)
- 3 star anise (chakkar phool)
- 10 green cardamom pods (elachi)
- 1 tablespoon black pepper (kali mirch)
- 1 teaspoon fennel seeds (saunf)
- ½ teaspoon turmeric powder (haldi)
Instructions
- Dry Roasting Chillies and Bay Leaves: In a thick-bottomed pan, dry roast 3 dried Kashmiri red chillies and 7 bay leaves until they turn crisp. Set them aside.
- Roasting Seeds and Spices: In the same pan, dry roast 2 tablespoons coriander seeds, 1 tablespoon cumin seeds, and 1 tablespoon caraway seeds until they become aromatic. Set these aside as well.
- Roasting the Rest: Now, dry roast 3 mace pieces, a 2-inch cinnamon stick, 1 whole nutmeg, 1 teaspoon cloves, 3 black cardamom pods, 3 star anise, 10 green cardamom pods, 1 tablespoon black pepper, and 1 teaspoon fennel seeds until they release their aroma.
- Blending: Allow all the roasted ingredients to cool completely. Once cooled, transfer them to a blender.
- Adding Turmeric: Add ½ teaspoon turmeric powder to the blender.
- Grinding: Blend all the ingredients into a fine powder.
- Storing: Transfer the biryani masala powder to an airtight container. Store it in a cool, dry place. Use this masala powder to prepare delicious biryani.
Nutritious Benefits
- Kashmiri Red Chillies: These chillies add a vibrant color to the masala and are rich in antioxidants.
- Bay Leaves: Known for their digestive properties, bay leaves also add a subtle aroma.
- Coriander Seeds: These seeds are good for digestion and have anti-inflammatory properties.
- Cumin Seeds: Cumin is known to improve digestion and boost the immune system.
- Caraway Seeds: These seeds help in digestion and have a unique flavor.
- Mace: Mace aids digestion and has anti-inflammatory properties.
- Cinnamon: Cinnamon is rich in antioxidants and has anti-inflammatory properties.
- Nutmeg: Nutmeg helps improve digestion and sleep quality.
- Cloves: Cloves have antiseptic and pain-relieving properties.
- Black Cardamom: This spice is good for respiratory health.
- Star Anise: Known for its distinct flavor, star anise also aids digestion.
- Green Cardamom: Green cardamom helps in digestion and adds a sweet aroma.
- Black Pepper: Black pepper improves digestion and is rich in antioxidants.
- Fennel Seeds: Fennel seeds aid digestion and reduce bloating.
- Turmeric: Turmeric has anti-inflammatory properties and boosts the immune system.
Tips for Making Biryani Masala
- Quality Ingredients: Always use fresh and good quality spices for the best flavor and aroma.
- Proper Roasting: Ensure the spices are roasted properly. Under-roasting can result in a bland masala, while over-roasting can make it bitter.
- Cooling: Let the spices cool completely before grinding to retain their essential oils.
- Fine Powder: Grind the spices into a fine powder for an even mix.
- Storage: Store the masala in an airtight container in a cool, dark place to keep it fresh for a longer time.
- Small Batches: Make small batches to ensure the masala remains fresh and aromatic.
- Using in Biryani: Use this masala powder generously in your biryani for an authentic taste.
Using Your Biryani Masala
Now that you have your homemade biryani masala powder, you can use it to make different types of biryani, like chicken biryani, Hyderabadi biryani, or any other variation you prefer. Simply add the masala while cooking to infuse your biryani with rich, aromatic flavors.