Enjoy the flavorful journey with my homemade tikka masala powder, a tantalizing blend of aromatic spices that will elevate your culinary creations.
Crafted with precision and passion, this spice mix encapsulates the essence of traditional Indian cuisine.
From the warmth of black cardamom to the kick of red chili and ginger powder, each element contributes to a harmonious symphony of taste.
KEY TAKEAWAYS
- Crafted with passion, enjoy the burst of authentic Indian flavors in homemade tikka masala powder.
- Explore rich flavors with key ingredients like black cardamom and garlic powder.
- Follow simple steps and expert tips to create spicy tikka masala powder at home.
- Learn quality, precision, and consistency for the perfect spice blend.
- Preserve potency by storing in airtight containers away from light, moisture, and heat.
How to Make Tikka Masala Powder? (Step by Step Guide with Images)
Step 1: Take a frying pan and heat it on a low flame on your gas stove. When it is hot enough put 2 tbsp of coriander seeds, 1 tsp of cumin seeds, 5 pieces of regular dry red chilies without stem, 6 to 7 pieces of Kashmiri red chilies with stem, 1 piece of whole amchur of 1-inch size, 1 piece of star anise, 1 piece of black cardamom, 2 cinnamon sticks of 1-inch size each, 1 small piece of mace, ½ of nutmeg, 4 small pieces of bay leaves torn in half, and 2 small pieces of dry wild melon (kachri) in it.
(Expert tip: If you do not have whole amchur at home, you can use dry mango powder of about 1 tsp as an alternative. In that case, do not roast it. Add it later with the powdered ingredients).
Step 2: Stir the content continuously to dry roast them until you can smell the aroma of the roasted spices.
Step 3: Now take a grinder, put all the ingredients in it, and grind them into a fine powder.
Step 4: Now, to the powder in the grinder add 1 tsp of garlic powder, 1 tsp of ginger powder, 1 tbsp of onion powder, ½ tsp of turmeric powder.
Step 5: Finally, add 1 tsp of Kashmiri red chili powder to the grinder.
Step 6: Give it a final churn and your spicy tikka masala powder is ready for use.
Pro Tips for Making Tikka Masala Powder
Quality Ingredients Matter: Ensure the freshness and quality of each spice, as the richness of your tikka masala powder hinges on the authenticity and vibrancy of the individual components.
Grinding Consistency: Achieve a fine powder by grinding the spices uniformly. Consistency in texture ensures an even distribution of flavors in your final tikka masala powder.
Adjust Spice Levels to Your Taste: Feel free to tweak the quantity of red chilies based on your spice preference. You can add more or less depending on how hot you want your tikka masala powder to be.
Toast Spices for Enhanced Aroma: To intensify the fragrance and flavor, toast the whole spices on low heat until they release their aroma. Be cautious not to burn them, as this can result in a bitter taste.
Alternative to Whole Amchur: If whole amchur is unavailable, you can substitute it with approximately 1 teaspoon of dry mango powder. Add it later, after grinding the other ingredients, to preserve its freshness.
Tikka Masala Powder Storing Tips
Airtight Containers: Transfer your freshly made tikka masala powder into airtight containers. This prevents exposure to air and helps maintain the potency of the spices over time.
Cool, Dark Place: Store the containers in a cool, dark place, away from direct sunlight. Exposure to light can degrade the flavors and aromas of the spices.
Avoid Moisture: Keep the tikka masala powder away from moisture, as dampness can lead to clumping and compromise the quality of the blend. A moisture-free environment ensures a longer shelf life.
Avoid Heat Exposure: Keep the spice containers away from heat sources, such as stoves or ovens. Excessive heat can accelerate the loss of flavor and potency in the spices.
How Does Tikka Masala Powder Taste?
Warm and Spicy Blend: A harmonious marriage of spices that creates a warm and spicy symphony on your taste buds. The combination of black cardamom, red chili powder, and aromatic spices provides a comforting warmth with a kick.
Rich and Earthy Undertones: Unveils rich and earthy undertones, thanks to the inclusion of black cardamom, cumin, and coriander seeds. These ingredients contribute to a grounded flavor profile, adding depth to your culinary creations.
Subtle Sweetness: Introduces a subtle sweetness from the nutmeg and cinnamon, providing a delightful contrast to the bold and savory elements. This nuanced sweetness adds complexity to the overall flavor experience.
Robust Umami Presence: Exhibits a robust umami presence with the inclusion of garlic and ginger powders. These ingredients not only contribute to the overall savory profile but also enhance the depth of flavor in your dishes.
Tikka Masala Powder Alternatives
Garam Masala: A classic Indian spice blend featuring warm and aromatic flavors. Contains coriander, cumin, cardamom, and cinnamon, providing a rich and well-rounded taste.
Tandoori Masala: Captures the essence of tandoori cooking with spices like cumin, coriander, and cloves. Imparts a smoky and robust flavor, akin to the earthiness found in tikka masala.
Biryani Masala: Crafted for biryani, this mix often includes cloves, cardamom, and black cumin. Imparts a complex and aromatic flavor, similar to the depth found in tikka masala.
What Dishes Can Tikka Masala Powder be Used in?
Chicken Tikka Masala: The classic dish where marinated and grilled chicken is simmered in a creamy and flavorful tomato-based sauce, enriched with tikka masala powder.
Vegetable Tikka Masala: A vegetarian version where a medley of vegetables is cooked in a spiced tikka masala sauce, providing a hearty and satisfying meal.
Paneer Tikka Masala: Cubes of paneer (Indian cottage cheese) are marinated, grilled, and then cooked in a luscious tikka masala sauce for a delicious vegetarian alternative.
Recipe Card
Tikka Masala Powder
Ingredients
- 2 tbsp Coriander seeds
- 1 tsp Cumin seeds
- 5 pieces Dry red chilies (without stem)
- 6 pieces Kashmiri red chilies (with stem)
- 1 piece Amchur 1-inch size
- 1 piece Star anise
- 1 piece Black cardamom
- 2 piece Cinnamon stick 1-inch size each
- 1 piece Mace small
- ½ piece Nutmeg
- 4 pieces Bay leaves (torn)
- 2 pieces Dry wild melon (kachri)
- 1 tsp Garlic powder
- 1 tsp Ginger powder
- 1 tbsp Onion powder
- ½ tsp Turmeric powder
- 1 tsp Kashmiri red chili powder
Instructions
- Start by heating a frying pan on a low flame using your gas stove. Once it's warm, add 2 tbsp of coriander seeds, 1 tsp of cumin seeds, 5 pieces of regular dry red chilies (without stems), 6 to 7 Kashmiri red chilies (with stems), 1 piece of whole amchur (1-inch size), 1 piece of star anise, 1 piece of black cardamom, 2 cinnamon sticks (1-inch each), 1 small piece of mace, ½ of nutmeg, 4 small pieces of bay leaves (torn in half), and 2 small pieces of dry wild melon (kachri).
- Continuously stir the contents in the pan to dry roast them until you catch the delightful aroma of the spices.
- Next, transfer all the roasted ingredients into a grinder and grind them into a fine powder.
- Now, add 1 tsp of garlic powder, 1 tsp of ginger powder, 1 tbsp of onion powder, and ½ tsp of turmeric powder to the powder in the grinder.
- To enhance the flavors, add 1 tsp of Kashmiri red chili powder to the grinder.
- Finally, give it a good churn in the grinder, and voila! Your zesty tikka masala powder is all set to spice up your dishes.
Notes
Nutrition Info (Estimation Only)
Conclusion
Elevate your dishes with the homemade tikka masala powder, a symphony of authentic Indian flavors.
Follow the easy guide, savor the richness, and store wisely for a flavorful culinary journey at your fingertips.