Breastfeeding Friendly Garam Masala
Warming spices like coriander, cumin, cinnamon, and cardamom have long been celebrated in postpartum cooking traditions across South Asia, and making your own blend at home means you know exactly what's going into every dish you season. Store-bought spice mixes can contain fillers, anti-caking agents, or mystery additives that you'd rather avoid when you're paying close attention to what you eat. This from-scratch version uses nothing but whole spices, toasted low and slow until fragrant, then ground into a beautifully aromatic powder. The dry-toasting step is what makes all the difference — it coaxes out the natural oils in the coriander and cumin and gives the finished blend a depth that pre-ground versions simply can't match. A quick pass through a fine-mesh strainer removes any tough cardamom husks, leaving you with a silky, consistent powder ready to stir into dals, soups, roasted vegetables, or anything else that needs a little soul. Stored in an airtight jar away from heat and light, it holds its potency for up to three months, so one small batch goes a long way. Having a reliable, clean spice blend on hand makes it so much easier to cook nourishing, flavorful meals during a season of life when simplicity and quality both really matter.
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Learn more →Ingredients
16 servings
- 3 tbsp coriander seeds
- 1 tbsp cumin seeds
- 1 tbsp black peppercorns
- 1 tsp green cardamom pods
- 1 tsp whole cloves
- 1 cinnamon stick (about 3 inches)
- 2 dried bay leaves
- ½ tsp fennel seeds (optional)
- ¼ tsp freshly grated nutmeg
Instructions
- 1
Combine the coriander seeds, cumin seeds, black peppercorns, cardamom pods, cloves, cinnamon stick, bay leaves, and fennel seeds (if using) in a small dry skillet over medium-low heat. Toast, stirring frequently, until the spices are fragrant and the coriander seeds turn a shade darker, about 3–4 minutes. Watch closely — the cloves and cardamom can scorch quickly.
- 2
Transfer the toasted spices to a plate and let them cool completely, about 5 minutes, so residual heat does not create steam in the grinder.
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