Spice Mixes

Chaat Masala

• Ingredients
  • 1 Tbsp cumin seeds
  • 1 tsp coriander seeds
  • 1/2 tsp fennel seeds
  • 1/2 tsp dried mint
  • 2 tsp black salt (kala namak)
  • 1 Tbsp mango (amchoor) powder
  • 1/2 tsp black pepper, preferably whole
  • 1 tsp Kashmiri chili powder
  • 1/2 tsp ginger powder
• Instructions
  • Roast cumin, coriander, and fennel one after another in a pan until they turn slightly more brown
  • Combine roasted seeds with other spices and grind to a fine powder in a spice grinder or something similar
  • Notes
    • This recipe is supposed to include asafoetida powder, but I didn't have any, so I may update it at a later date
    • Roasting the seeds is always better, but it will work with pre-ground spices as well

Lebkuchen Spice

• Ingredients
  • 8 tsp (15g) cinnamon
  • 2 tsp (2g) cloves
  • 1 tsp (1g) allspice
  • 1 tsp (1g) coriander
  • 1/2 tsp (1g) cardamom (only the seeds, don't include the shells)
  • 1 tsp (1g) ginger powder
  • 1/4 tsp (1/2g) ground nutmeg (possibly increase if using pre-ground since that isn't nearly as strong)
  • 1/4 tsp (1/2g) mace powder
  • ~2 1/2 pieces (2g) star anise (whole "star", not just seeds)
  • 1/2 tsp (1g) dried orange zest
  • 1/2 tsp (1g) dried lemon zest
  • 1 tsp (1g) fennel seeds
• Instructions
  • Simply grind all spices together using a spice grinder or something similar
  • Notes
    • Everything always tastes better when whole seeds are used, but you should be able to replace the spices with pre-ground versions as well (I actually used pre-ground coriander when I made this). Pre-ground cardamom is utterly horrible, though.
    • It probably is better to just add orange and/or lemon zest when making the Lebkuchen, but it's easier to put it directly into the spice. Honestly, this spice can be changed a lot and still called Lebkuchen spice - back in the day, everyone had their own special mixture. Just follow your heart.
    • On second thought, don't, that's what killed Romeo and Juliet.