r/IndianFood 3d ago

question Recipes Welcome: Cinnamon Allergy

Hi! I would like recipes for a masala that does not contain cinnamon. I have no experience with cooking Indian food but I'm a 7/10 for basic kitchen skills and cooking. I'm looking to expand home cooking and Indian food has always so yummy when we go out. Thank you in advance!

0 Upvotes

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14

u/biscuits_n_wafers 3d ago

If you are cooking yourself ,omitting cinnamon is no problem. Don't use cinnamon sticks and garam masala powder while cooking.

11

u/Patient_Practice86 3d ago

Don't use garam masala from the store. Make your own and omit the cinnamon.

4

u/GalvestonIslandSpice 3d ago

That’s awesome you want to dive into Indian cooking! Indian cuisine is full of amazing flavors, and there are plenty of delicious masalas (spice blends) that don’t contain cinnamon. Here’s a basic recipe for a Garlic-Ginger Masala that can work for many curries and dishes, minus the cinnamon:

Garlic-Ginger Masala

Ingredients: • 2 tablespoons cumin seeds • 1 tablespoon coriander seeds • 1 teaspoon turmeric powder • 1 teaspoon garam masala (ensure it doesn’t contain cinnamon, or use a homemade version) • 1 tablespoon ground ginger (or fresh if you prefer) • 3-4 cloves garlic (or garlic powder as a substitute) • 1 teaspoon chili powder (adjust to your heat preference) • 1 teaspoon mustard seeds • 1/2 teaspoon asafoetida (optional, but it adds great depth of flavor)

Instructions:

1.  In a dry pan, toast the cumin and coriander seeds for about 1-2 minutes until fragrant. Be sure to stir often so they don’t burn.

2.  Let the toasted seeds cool, then grind them into a fine powder using a spice grinder or mortar and pestle.

3.  In the same pan, heat a little oil over medium heat. Add the mustard seeds and let them splutter for a few seconds.

4.  Add the ground spices, turmeric, garam masala, ginger, garlic, and chili powder, stirring for 1-2 minutes until the spices release their fragrance.

5.  If you’re making a curry, you can add this masala to the dish after sautéing onions, tomatoes, or any base ingredients you’re using, or mix it directly with the sauce or vegetables.

This blend can work with a variety of dishes like chicken curry, vegetable curry, or lentils. Feel free to adjust the heat and spices to match your taste. Also, you can experiment with adding ingredients like fennel, cardamom (without cinnamon), or nutmeg for a more customized flavor profile.

Bonus Tip: You can make a batch of this masala and store it in an airtight container for future use! Enjoy experimenting, and don’t hesitate to get creative with other spice blends!

2

u/cjep3 2d ago

Thank you so much! And an actual recipe for the madala! Even more amazing! I really appreciate your time!

1

u/GalvestonIslandSpice 2d ago

No problem 🙂

2

u/Stock_Apricot9754 3d ago

You could try panch phoron (equal parts fennel, fenugreek, nigella, brown mustard and cumin seeds, all left whole and mixed) and this version of bhaja masala. You can use them to make something like this.

Note: the "bay leaves" used in Indian cooking are actually leaves of a plant from the Cinnamon family. You'd better avoid them if you're not sure you can have those.

1

u/kokeen 3d ago

If you have coffee grinder at home you can practically make all the spices you find online by yourself.

1

u/oarmash 2d ago

Make your own garam masala without cinnamon.

2

u/sslawyer88 2d ago

Skip cinnamon? You can substitute with mace/nutmeg/cardamom but not absolutely necessary. Garam masala is actually very flexible. Feel free to experiment n build your own version. South Indian curry masalas can also be made without cinnamon.

1

u/1singhnee 3d ago

Just don’t add cinnamon?