Are their spices I can substitute for garam masala?

Question

I have an Indian recipe for spiced kale and chickpeas that I want to try. It calls for a tiny bit of garam masala,which I don't have (and have never heard of). Can I substitute other spices?

Answer 1

Any curry blend should work.  I often put a pinch of nutmeg in my greens, like spinach, especially.  

Answer 2

I'm an Indian and make currirs a lot, but sometimes I don't even add any Garam masala to it, instead I just add a pinch of cumin powder.

It's tastes as good..Good Luck Enjoy

Answer 3

you can make your own garam masala and store it in a tightly shut glass jar for later use.

Our family recipe is as follows:

2 Tblsp cardomom pods

1 Tblsp cloves

2 Tblsp Black Peppercorns

1 Teasp White peppercorns

2 Tblsp fennel seeds

1 Teasp cumin seeds

1 Teaspoon Corriander seeds

7 pieces cassia bark the size of your index finger

2 anise stars

Put everything in a heavy based pan and dry roast until all the aromas are coming from it or you can dry roast in the oven. Grind everything together in a coffee grinder while still quite warm and bottle immediately.

Best kept in an airtight jar in the fridge but you can also keep in your spice rack.

have fun making it

Answer 4

http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Easy-Garam-...

Even if you only have a few of these spices, I think it would give you the same flavor- close enough anyway.  Happy cooking!

Answer 5

I am a former chef and garam masala is a mixed spice, with cinnamon, cloves, black pepper, cassia bark, fennel seeds, nutmeg and cardamon seeds both black and green, I buy it here in Toronto Canada whole and grind it.

As the first fellow said a pinch of nutmeg, cinnamon and black pepper with give some of the flavour, curry has some of the based spices.