Garam masala is a single blend of spices that changes the whole flavor and aroma of the dish you are creating. You can make tantalizing cuisines right there in the kitchen. Generally, a garam masala consists of cumin, coriander, cardamom, black pepper, cinnamon, cloves, and nutmeg.
However, you can find multiple varieties of garam masala in the market or make it home. Among these two options, the benefits of making your garam masala at home help you control the blend of the spices you want.
Altogether, even a pinch of garam masala is enough to lift the taste and aroma of the dish. However, this enhancement of flavor and aroma is not the only benefit of garam masala. You can also create a multitude of healthy dishes using it.
Some Healthy Recipes With Garam Masala
Garam Masala can be used anywhere from meat, vegetables, lentils, chickpeas, and even desserts. Below are some of the healthy recipes to try at home using it.
Spinach And Chickpea Curry
It is a warmly spiced and creamy curry that is perfect for eating alongside a bowl of rice. It is a hearty meal and can be made within 30 minutes. This dish usually consists of potatoes, garlic, spinach, onion, chickpeas, turmeric, cumin, salt, pepper, and garam masala.
Initially, the potatoes are cooked with onion and garlic. After cooking them for a while, the cumin seed, garam masala, cumin powder, ginger, turmeric, chili flakes, salt, and black pepper are added.
You can also use frozen spinach, but you must blend it here. After it, you can let it boil for about 15 minutes and get ready to serve with a warm bowl of rice. This particular recipe is quite beneficial for your healthy vision.
Moong Dal Or Yellow Lentils
Infused with garlic, ginger, tomatoes, and garam masala, Moong Dal is rich in high-quality proteins and other essential nutrients. You can prepare them by soaking them in warm water for about ten minutes.
Then, drain out the water and roast it until it turns light brown. Now, you will need to let it cool and grind them into a powder. To start cooking, heat some ghee in a pan and add the roasted moong dal powder.
You can cook ginger, garlic, turmeric, chili powder, tomatoes, and garam masala by adding it. Then, add water, stir well, and cook in the pressure cooker.
As a dish, Moong Dal has a wide range of health benefits. It helps you with your weight, prevents diabetes, improves digestive health, boosts blood circulation, and many more.
Mushroom Masala
A perfect dish for the winter cold, Mushroom masala is a rich, creamy, and superbly flavorful mushroom curry. You can easily prepare this dish in 20 minutes, and you can also enhance this dish by adding extra vegetables.
To prepare this, you will need to heat your pan with oil. Here, you can add certain spices or herbs in the beginning, followed by onions. Cook them all until they turn light brown, then add a tomato paste and stir well.
Moving poon, you will need to add a bowl of water, followed closely by peas and sauteed mushrooms. Let it boil for a few minutes, add garam masala, and stir it well. Voila! You have your dish, and you can even garnish it with herbs.
This particular dish has low carbs and no cholesterol that protects from heart disease. It also helps to treat anemia, fight cancer, promotes good eyesight, improve digestion, and keep your bones strong.
Grilled Tandoori Chicken
Juicy on the inside and tender on the inside, grilled tandoori chicken is indeed irresistible. With an appealing taste and rich flavors, this dish is also relatively healthy, thanks to its cooking technique and lean meat.
Here, you must marinate your chicken in yogurt and garam masala. After letting it sit for a while, it is grilled until they blister for about 5 minutes. Then, they are garnished with cilantro, red onion, and lemon wedges.
Surprisingly, grilled tandoori chicken contains vitamins B5, B3, B6, and other nutrients. They are known to promote brain health by increasing serotonin levels, leading to reduced stress levels and fewer mood swings.
Moving on, they also promote metabolism by burning calories faster. Likewise, they reduce the risk of Alzheimer’s disease.
Paneer Butter Masala
It is a popular creamy dish made with paneer, spices, onions, tomatoes, cashews, and butter. It is also one of the decadent recipes with high-quality protein and calcium. Also, this dish goes pretty well with rice, roti, or even naan.
To prepare it, you first need to heat your pan with ghee and saute some cumin seeds. Then, add chopped onion, garlic cloves, green chilies, and ginger and cook them until they turn light brown.
Now, you will need to add cashews and tomatoes. Cook them all till it becomes soft and mushy. Then, you will need to blend this mixture and let it cool. Again, in a pan, add butter, salt to taste, red chile powder, garam masala powder, and water and mix them well.
Add the blended mixture and cover the lid to let it cook for a while. Lastly, add the paneer cubes and cook for a bit. All in all, this dish has a multitude of health benefits.
Eating this dish will help reduce the risk of cancer and build better bones, and it is perfect for diabetic patients. Similarly, it also helps in the normal functioning of the digestive system and building a robust immune system.
In A Nutshell
In conclusion, garam masala is a versatile spice that can be used in various easy and healthy recipes. It adds a warm, aromatic flavor to grilled chicken, roasted cauliflower, soup, and salmon. Using garam masala in your cooking can add depth and complexity to your dishes without adding excess calories or unhealthy ingredients. Whether you’re looking for a quick weeknight dinner or a healthy meal to serve to friends and family, garam masala is a great spice in your kitchen.