Garam Masala Spice Blend (Don’t BUY it, MAKE it!)

Do you like to make Indian food at home? I certainly do; whether it’s Chicken Tikka Masala, a good Lamb Madras curry or Naan bread, the McCord van Kempens love their spice. Many recipes for home cooks rely on a spice blend called Garam Masala, which is simply a mixture of spices most home cooks already have in their spice rack. This recipe makes about 1 cup, which can be stored in an airtight container for months.
1 Tablespoon ground cumin
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
Mix the above ingredients in an airtight container. In a spice grinder, grind together the following:
1 1/2 teaspoon whole coriander
1 1/2 teaspoon whole black peppercorns
1 1/2 teaspoon whole cardamom seeds
Add the freshly ground spice mix to the previous ingredients and whisk or shake well. Now you’ve got your own spice blend to add to various dishes as necessary.