Meet the Fiery South Indian Blend That Punches Way Above Its Weight

Chettinad masala, indigenous to the hometown of Chettinad in Tamil Nadu, is for spice lovers. Known for its fiery taste while also having a unique aroma, it is one traditional Indian masala that is making its way into cuisines around the world. 

Where the Heat Comes From

Whereas garam masala is sweeter in its nature, Chettinad masala has been designed to pack more punches with a blend of heat components such as:

• Dried red chilies

• Black peppercorns

• Fennel seeds

• Star anise

• Cumin & coriander seeds

• Adding curry leaves at the time of preparation

It is what sets this blend apart: the roasting stage. The usual procedure involves dry roasting these spices to the point where they start to smoke before grinding them to a powder, giving them an intensity that cannot be achieved by using raw spices.

Cooking With It the Right Way

This is not one of those "sprinkle when done" spices. This is what you do to maximize the flavor:

Turn on your oven and let the oil simmer until it reaches a smoky temperature, and then add your masala. Let the masala release its oil and flavor before adding onions, garlic, and ginger. 

Depending on what you are making, add red meat, chicken, or fish of your choice.

Now here comes the South Indian blend where you tame the spices by adding coconut or tamarind, which is the essence of Chettinad cuisine. Let the dish cook slowly so that the masalas get deep inside the curry and the fish or meat.  

Not Just for Curry Night

Even though it’s best known for its use in Chettinad chicken curry, the masala can be used in many other recipes too. It works wonderfully well in any dry vegetable sauté, particularly potatoes and okra.

And amazingly enough, it’s even quite good in scrambled eggs for the person who wants their breakfast to really get them going. For those who find themselves tired of the usual curry powder and wanting something more, this is the ticket.

Worth the Adventure

The Chettinad Masala requires patience from the cook. This is not because of the time it takes to prepare, but rather the time it needs to cook. One cannot just pour it into the pot and hope that the flavors will emerge by accident.

Shanaya Indian Spices uses the authentic roasting process for their Chettinad masala to give the authentic smokiness without having to collect all these spices by yourself. It is the best place to buy Indian spices online in the US. While making your recipes at home, just add a small or large teaspoon of our signature Chettinad masala to your dishes and bring out the authentic South Indian flavor. This is definitely a must-try for people from the USA who would like to experience the authentic taste.