Savoury, spicy, sour, nuanced - a good achar masala is well balanced. A quick pantry raid and a stir is all it takes to prep your own!
There is magic in masalas. On their own they feel and taste different, but put together the alchemy of taste changes dramatically. This Achari Masala brings together pantry spices to create something deliciously nuanced.
I love the interplay of flavour and texture in this Achar Masala and once you try it you will too!
If you are a fan of homemade masalas, actually even if you aren't, you have GOT to try this beautifully aromatic Garam Masala - its a GAME CHANGER!
What is Achari Masala made of?
Achari Masala is a combination of two kinds of spices - powdered spices, and seeds.
Powdered Spices: Red Chili Powder, Chili Flakes, Turmeric (Optional), and Salt
Seeds: Coriander, Anise, Cumin, Nigella, Mustard, and Fenugreek
Why Should I Make My Own?
Homemade achar masala is free of artificial chemicals, uses fresher spices and has better flavour.
1.) Packaged mixes are high in sodium and contain preservatives
2.) Homemade masala mixes taste fresher. Don't believe me? just take one whiff of that lightly ground saunf (anise seed) and tell me if that kind of magic comes from a box.
3.) You can adjust them to taste - like more heat? stir in more chili powder, feel like it could use a little more smokiness, coriander it is. Everyone's taste buds are different and making your own spice mix ensures the food you make reflects that.
What can you use Achari Masala in?
Oh my friends so many ideas here, you can combine it with a little lemon juice and stuff it into green chilies. You can also use it to make any of these recipes:-
- Achar Chicken - that classic dish which is so weeknight easy especially if the mix is good to go!
- Achari Chicken Bake - a lightened up oven friendly version of the classic dish
- Achari Aloo - a highly popular vegetable curry that goes in no time!
- Achari Bhindi - a mix and cook dish that is made even easier with frozen bhindi (okra). Just add in a little turmeric and kachri powder
Can I just say it's spectacularly good mixed with a little lemon juice and stuffed in chilies? Pan fry them lightly and have with... well... just about anything!
Hope you try this mix and like it! let me know what you think!
Achari Masala (Spice Mix)
Ingredients
- 3 tbsp coriander seeds (coarsely ground)
- 2 tbsp saunf (coarsely ground)
- 2 tsp cumin seeds ( can coarsely grind)
- 2 tsp red chili powder
- 2 tsp red chili flakes
- ½ tsp turmeric powder
- 2 tsp salt
- 1 ½ tsp nigella seeds (kalonji)
- 1 ½ tsp mustard seeds
- ¾ tsp fenugreek seeds
Instructions
- Stir together the spice ingredients and store in a clean air tight jar
Notes
- Often recipes will call for toasting spices, but I find that although it does improve the flavour it isn't necessary and spices like fenugreek seeds are delicate and burn easily so if you toast them early on you run the risk of the flavour turning acrid when cooking with it.
- This recipe doesn't have turmeric in it but you can add 1 tsp if you like the flavour of it and are likely to use this mix for veggie dishes.
Pitsi Mmethi says
I need achaar masala spice in bulks
Sarah Mir says
Hi! What quantity are you thinking?
Fathima Zahra says
Do we have to roast the ingredients?
Sarah Mir says
I put a note in the recipe about that - some spices burn easily, but if you want to roast your coriander/cumin or have those pre roasted in your pantry that would be a welcome addition!