Pears soaked and bathed in wine, juice and spices transform themselves into luscious jewels. A very elegant dessert indeed!

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Not quite so popular as the Red,Green & Yellow Thai Curry, but a little milder & a lot more aromatic is the Unique Massaman Curry. The flavoring for Massaman curry is called Massaman Curry Paste (nam prik kaeng masaman), which contains very warm & aromatic spices like cinnamon, clove, cardamom, & nutmeg. These popular spices of the Indian Subcontinent combined with the Asian flavors of Lemon grass, Galangal, Kaffir lime leaves, & Fish Sauce, makes it a rich & brimming part of the Thai cuisine.

I did not dare to cook Thai at home for so long,  for I am not very comfortable with the strong smell of the fish sauce & shrimp paste. This Massaman curry paste,  however inspired me to give it a try.  I read thru’ & I realized that I could easily leave out the fish sauce & still have a very authentic & flavorful touch of authentic Thai. Right when I was planning on this, I found some Thai Eggplants & used these for the Massaman Curry. (Any kind of eggplant can be used for this.)

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Asafoetida (Hing): This is sap from stem and root of a plant, dried into a hard resin. It has a very very strong aroma.
I personally use it in preparation of Lentils and Dry Fries.

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Bay Leaves (Tej Patta): Dried bay leaves. They are browned in oil first increase the aroma.

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Carom Seeds (Ajwain): These are pungent ( like Thyme), but looks like celery seeds. Very strong flavored. It also has good digestive properties.
I mostly use it when I make Parathas.

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Cinnamon (Darchini) This is actually dried bark of a tree. It’s an ingredient of Garam Masala.

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Cloves (Laung): Cloves are dried up flower buds. Used as a part of Garam Masala in the ground form, or in the stick form in meats and vegetables.

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Coriander Seeds (Dhania): These seeds are actually dry seeds of the regularly used fresh cilantro. These seeds are usually used in the ground form to be a part of various spice mixes, like Garam Masala, Sambar Powder.

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Cumin Seeds (Jeera): Very commonly used and in various dishes. Its used both whole and dry roasted and ground.

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Fenugreek Seeds (Methi) : Angular buff colored seeds having a slightly bitter taste. One of the mixtures of Panch Foron. The unripe, raw seeds are cooked as side dishes in certain parts of India and they are not bitter!!
I use these seeds quite frequently, especially in the Makhani masala.

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Fennel Seeds (Saunf or Mouri): These look like Cumin Seeds, but when looked closely they are actually greener and wider. Fennel is another ingredient of the Panch Foron.These are also dry roasted and used with tiny sugar candies to make mouth freshnersafter meals. Fennel is known for its digestive qualities.

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Green Cardamon (Choti Elaichi) : These pods holds tiny little balck seeds inside. The seeds are taken out and used whole in cooking or in the from of powder. Its used in a LOT of Indian cooking whether it be vegetables, meat, rice or even desserts. Cardamom is also an important part of Garam Masala.

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Cardamon Black(Badi Elaichi) : These are bigger than the small green cardamoms and black in color. Has a much stronger aroma.

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Mustard Seeds (Sarso or Rai): These are usually added to hot oil to season vegetables, lentils, rice and pickles. Mustard is also ground and used in cooking fish and vegetables in the Eastern part of India.

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Nigella (Kalonji/Kalo Jeera) : These are tiny black seeds mostly forming a part of the Panch Foron. They are also used in breads (tandoori rotis), parathas, and to season some vegetables. In the Eastern India this is extensively used to season fish.These are tiny black seeds mostly forming a part of the Panch Foron. They are also used in breads (tandoori rotis), parathas, and to season some vegetables. In the Eastern India this is extensively used to season fish.

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Nutmeg (Jaiphal): These are seeds of a fruit. The part that is actually used is the inner part of this seed. Its used in ground form, mostly in biriyanis. Unlike in western countries, its almost never used in desserts in Indian cooking.

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Panch Foron: This is a five mix spice. “Panch” means “five”. The following are used in equal amounts:
Cumin Seeds
Mustard Seeds
Nigella Seeds
Fenugreek Seeds
Fennel Seeds
This is extensively used in East Indian cooking.

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Red Chilli Powder: This is ground up red chili powder.

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Red Dry Chilli: This is the hot peppers dried up, esp. the cayenne pepper type. They have different flavor then the green hot peppers are are usually sizzled in oil and cooked up with the vegetables or meat.

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Saffron (Kesar): This is probably the most expensive spice. Looks like tiny orange threads, these are actually the stigmas of a flower called crocus.
Adds beautiful flavor and color to rice dishes, gravies and desserts.

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Turmeric: Turmeric is actually a ginger like rhizome in the raw state. The inside is orangish yelllow in color. The rhizome is dried and ground for the purpose of cooking. It gives the food a yellowish color. Turmeric is also known for its antiseptic qualities. Raw turmeric is often times ground into a paste and used to improve skin and complexion.

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