The Myth of the Packaged Masala in Indian Grocery Stores.....

....is that it is the tool of the "fakibaj" !!

Yes -  it is a myth all right. Somehow, many of us refuse to accept the authenticity of the dish unless all the spices have been gathered fresh,component wise and lot of labor has gone in to measuring, mixing and grinding  them. Somewhere within all this is the age old concept of "no cuts, no glory " !! 

I don't agree. I think packaged masalas - like Shan, MTR, Parampara and Rasoi - really make our lives easier. Wifey and me have found many of them extremely convenient and effective in making several dishes that are really high on flavor and authenticity rivalling some of the best I have ever tasted.  Yes there are some that are plain bad !! Ever tried the Rogan Josh masalas ?? I have tasted authentic Rogan Josh and I don't think it is possible to come anywhere close to it using pre-packaged masalas ! Ditto for all the Goan Fish Curry Masalas - just liberal dosage of the cocount oil or coconut whatever does not and will not bring in the flavor which you will get in a Gajali, Dakshin or Konkan Gomantak in Mumbai, leave alone the divine dishes which I have had at my Konkani friends' places!

I think you taste success when the masala adds on to the 'original home cooked'  flavor - rather than completely over powering  it. To that extent,  one common trick seems to be - always use 70% of what is recommended on the packet. And use your creativity !! The results may be really surprising !!


Here are some example that we find really useful to stir up wonderful stuff. Please add or critique with some suggestions so that this becomes an ever expanding list !

• Shan Fish Biryani - my wife has a secret recipe for Salmon Biryani using this in some measure and hopefully she will share it one day. I will give you one example of how spectacular it comes out. Many years back, we had some friends from work at our house. For the non veggies, there was Fish Biryani. For veggies, Veg Biryani and lot of other good stuff. And yet the pucca vegetarians insisted on trying the fish biryani - minus the fish - so enamored they were with the fragrance of the dish.  and actually ate platefulls of the same even after we had indicated that the rice and fish was prepared together ! No kidding !!
• Rasoi Paneer Butter Masala Mix - I do  a really good version of the Paneer Butter Masala with this - and I daresay it tastes as good or even better than the one in Sagaar in Kolkata or Baujee Ka Dhaba in Hauz Khas village !! Just use the masala in moderation and follow a different approach to getting the thickened texture of the gravy. Basically, do a homemade tomato puree and mix the masala, puree and milk in the magic bullet. And an extra dash of butter spooned in at the end (don't churn the dish with it !!).
• Shan Sheekh Kabab Masala - can work wonders but use in moderation - not just the masala but also the advice on the packet on the meaures for ghee, eggs et al. I go really high up on my wife's 'nice list' when I prepare this.  I do this with both 91% fat- free sirloin and lamb (not together !). About 70% of the recommended measure on the masala and 50% on the other ingredients. 400 degree in the oven. Turn over after 25 mins and then 5-10 mins depending on how you want it - crumbling inside the mouth after first bite or a more supple version.
• Parampara Chicken Achari - difficult to like Parampara as all their masalas taste the same to me ! I don't know - maybe that is their philosophy - get the taste differentiation in through the other ingredients !! But try the Chicken Achari - go 120% on the yogurt portion when you mix it. Outcome, really good, spicy dry chicken without overpowering heat or masala taste.
• Shan Gajar Halwa - this one is really good, as long as you remember to go 50% on the measure for ghee and about 75% for sugar !! I don't like gajar halwa where the ghee drips off the spoon. It should provide the taste and smell - but should not convert the dish to an oily, ghee filled mess. Easy to understand - this is how 70% of the  ghee infused sweets taste in the Brijwasis, Haldiram's and Tewaris in Kolkata !!
• Gits Idli and Upma Mix - much better than the ready mix that you find in Indian groceries in US - all of them are laced with preservatives.
• MTR Tawa Fry - my mother makes a wonderful tawa fry dish of large okra split lengthwise and stuffed with this and some other goodies.