92 masala recipes

Freshly ground cardamom, cloves, and cumin give this yogurt-marinated chicken biryani its heady, aromatic punch. Served over saffron rice, it's a weeknight-friendly take on an Indian classic.

Didn't have marsala so I made a quick red-wine pan sauce using shallots, red wine and a bit of chicken stock and was able to use the brown bits in the skillet and added a touch of butter for a bit of sheen. Also I seasoned the chicken breasts with salt and pepper as well as the spinach with salt, pepper and a pinch of nutmeg. Very colorful and tasty.

Italian saltimbocca: thin veal scallops layered with sage and prosciutto, rolled, browned in butter, and braised in a quick Marsala pan sauce. The name means jumps in the mouth, and it earns it.

Salmon scampi seared in bacon drippings and finished with marsala wine, butter, garlic, and herbs. A pan-to-oven main course served over rice.

Earthy mushroom pilaf with quick-cooking barley, shiitakes, and porcini in Marsala wine. Vegetarian side dish ready in 30 minutes with rosemary and sherry vinegar.

Paneer tikka, cubes of Indian paneer marinated in spiced yogurt with tandoori spices, chaat masala, ginger, and garlic, then pan-fried golden and served with peppers and onions. A vegetarian Indian classic.

Indian hot spice mix dry-roasted with cumin, dried chiles, peppercorns, cardamom, cinnamon, mustard seeds, and fenugreek. A homemade garam masala with serious heat.

Calcutta pasta sauce blends Indian spices with the Italian tomato sauce concept: cumin, garam masala, ginger, jalapeno, and yogurt for an exotic East-meets-West pasta topper. Curry-style sauce.

Lamb with cashew curry blends ground cashews, dried red chilies, and toasted whole spices into a fragrant masala simmered with yogurt, saffron, and tender lamb cubes. Restaurant-style Indian cooking at home.

Lamb cashew curry with a homemade masala paste of cashews, chilies, saffron, poppy seeds, and whole spices simmered in ghee and yogurt. A rich, aromatic Indian lamb dish.

Spicy fish pickle: crisp fried fish simmered in a tangy, chili-spiked vinegar masala, then stored to mellow into a fiery South Indian condiment for rice and roti.

Indian-style fresh kachumber: tomato, red onion, fresh chili, and ginger tossed with lemon juice and salt. The crisp, tangy 5-minute side dish for channa masala, dal, or aloo parathas.