East Indian Bottle Masala Recipe

This bottle masala recipe is an authentic East-Indian spice mix. Similar to Indian curry powder or garam masala this is a unique blend of more than 20 different spices. Every family has its own variation of the recipe. This is mine, handed down from my family.

Course spice mix

Cuisine East-Indian, Indian

Keyword Bottle Masala, East-Indian recipes

Prep Time 4 40

Cook Time 30

Drying time 6 20

Total Time 5 10

Servings Kgs

Calories 180kcal

Equipment

Cutting Board
Kitchen Knife
Skillet

Ingredients

Large batch (5 kgs)

2 kgs Hot red Chillies Kashmiri red chiles
1 kg Sweet red Chilies Reshampati chilies
3/4 kg Coriander seeds dhania
125 grams Cumin seeds jeera
¼ kg Sesame seed teel
¼ kg Poppy seeds khus khus
¼ kg Mustard seeds rai
¼ kg Wheat gehu
¼ kg Chickpeas channa
¼ Kg Whole Turmeric Haldi
125 grams Black pepper corns kali mirch
50 grams Cinnamon dalchini
10 grams Cloves laung
10 grams Cobra safron seeds Naikaiser
10 grams Allspice kababchuni
10 grams Green cardamoms hari elichi
5 grams Black cardamoms kali elichi
10 grams Fennel seeds Sauf
10 grams Mace Javitri
10 grams Mugwort Maipatri
10 grams Sichuan pepper triphal
10 grams Star anise bardian
10 grams Caraway seeds Shahijeera
1 Nutmeg Jaiphal
10 grams Bay leaves Sambharpan

Small batch (1 kg)

250 grams Hot red Chillies Kashmir red chilies
50 grams Sweet red Chilies Reshampati chilies
100 grams Corriander seeds dhania
20 grams Cumin seeds jeera
50 grams Sesame seeds til
50 grams Poppy seeds khus khus
50 grams Mustard seeds rai
20 grams Wheat gehu
40 grams Chickpeas chana dal
30 grams Turmeric powder haldi
20 grams Black pepper powder kali mirch
6-inch stick Cinnamon dal chini
12 Cloves laung
7 Green cardamom hari elichi
2 Black cardamoms kali elichi
1 tsp Cobra saffron seeds negkesar
1 tsp Allspice kabachini
1 tsp Fennel seeds saunf
1 tsp Mace javitri
1 tsp Mugwort maipatri
1 tsp Sichuan pepper tirphal
1 no Star Anise bhadyan
1 tsp Caraway seeds shahi jeera
1 no Nutmeg Jaiphal
2 Bay leaves sambharpan

US Customary - Metric

Instructions

Clean and remove the stalk from the chilies
Pro tip - it is best to wear gloves when working with chilies otherwise it can cause hot hands
Dry the chilies and all spices in the sun for a few days until you are sure there is no moisture in left
Pro tip - any moisture in the spices will lead to mold in the spice mix.
Dry roast the spices and chilies in an earthenware or cast iron pan.
Pro tip - the chilies when heated can release a very strong smell that often makes people cough. This can make it difficult for patients with asthma to breathe.
Blend all ingredients one at a time in a spice blender. Sift and combine all the spices - so they blend well together.
Pro tip - it is important that all the spices though ground separately are combined as one. So sift together more than once.
Fill in sterilized mason jars or bottles- label and seal well. It is best to use dark-colored bottles to protect from the sunlight.
Pro tip - the bottles must be sterilized and completely dried before storing with the masala otherwise moisture can cause mold.
The bottle masala can last for up to 2 years if sealed well and kept in a cool dry place.

Notes

Substitute for Bottle Masala.

Bottle Masala is made up of more than 18 different spices so while these are not the exact substitutes they are great alternatives.

Add the same amount of curry powder instead of bottle masala plus, 1/4 tsp Garam masala.

Or combine these spices then use the amount requested in the recipe.

1 tbsp Kashmiri chilly
1 tsp Cayenne pepper
1 tbsp Coriander powder
1 tsp Cumin powder
1/2 tsp Turmeric powder
2 bay leaves.
1/4 tsp Garam Masala

Sterilize the jars

Sterilize jars and bottles by washing them in hot soapy water or cleaning them in the dishwasher with a gentle cycle. Then, place them in the oven for 20 minutes at a low 284 F / 140 C
Pro tip- I find the dishwasher does a good job of cleaning and the oven dries any excess moisture in the bottles.
Note - Leave them in the oven until you are ready to use them (you can turn the oven off).
Don’t forget to wash and sterilize the bottle lids as well.

Nutrition