Fast Holiday Gift Idea: Garam Masala

One of my favorite thing to do for holiday gifts for co-workers and friends is to make some kind of food-related item that I can make in batches. It’s easy, affordable, and fast. In past years, I’ve made different kind of biscotti, created little jars of whole wheat cardamom pancake mix, and made cookies. This year, one of my ideas is a custom spice mix.

My parents have been obsessing over Indian food lately, and my mother has made her own curry blends–as well as amassing a collection of spices needed for these various concoctions. This got me thinking about making my own garam masala (using this recipe).

It’s a blend of various spices that are toasted (just until fragrant, lest you burn them) and then ground up (I got to finally put my new mortar & pestle to good use! Actually, it would be easier with a spice or coffee grinder…).

This blend is great with poultry, as well as other many other dishes. I marinated chicken in a mixture of yogurt, thyme, honey and the garam masala overnight, and I’m going to tell you that it was awesome.

If you want to package up the garam masala for friends, get some of those little round spice tins with the clear tops (you can find them at stores like Bed, Bath & Beyond or the Container Store). Each batch will be good for one gift, so be sure to scale up as needed, making 2-3 batches at one time (too much will be hard to roast properly). Pair the tin with a little sheet, including two or three recipes that include garam masala, and you have a great little gift that encourages your friends to try new flavors.

What kinds of homemade gifts are you sharing with your loved ones this season? Let me know!