Kohlapuri Masala Powder

This is a dry masala powder and a popular one from Kohlapur, Maharashtra. This spice blend is aromatic with the spices in it and also has a nutty flavor with added coconut and sesame seeds. This is a spicy (heat!) powder and is amazing to just sprinkle in any veggie or paneer curry. 

Kohlapuri masala powder is easy to prepare. The spices needed are commonly used and are usually stocked in pantry. This spice blend can be made in 15 minutes. Gather the ingredients, dry roast, cool, and grind - all done! Cooling takes the longer time out of the fifteen minutes in total. Plus, this powder can be stored in freezer for upto 3 months. I always have a few of masala powders in my freezer to make cooking a breeze when time is a crunch.

Years back, I tasted Kohlapuri veggie curry in one of my Marathi friend's home. I tried using store-bought masala. They were close to what I had in her home but later got the recipe from her and love this blend. I add to veggie curries, usal, and paneer too. This spice powder is so tasty that it can be added when you cook no onion or no garlic meal.

Ingredients

Kopra slices - 1/2 cup

Dried red chilies - 8-10

Byadige chili - 4

Fenugreek - 1 tsp

Black pepper - 1 tsp

Fennel seeds - 1 tbsp

Cumin - 1 tbsp

Coriander seeds - 1 tbsp

Mustard - 1 tbsp

Sesame seeds - 2 tbsp

Cloves - 6

Nutmeg powder - 1/8 tsp

Method

Heat a pan and dry roast the red chilies till they become shiny. Set aside. In the same pan, dry roast the coconut slices and set aside. Add the rest of the ingredients and roast till sesame turns a little golden. Mustard seeds would start to splutter. Set aside to cool.

Add everything to blender along with nutmeg powder. Blend to smooth powder. 

Store in an air-tight container.

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