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Malvan, located in Sindhudurg County on Maharashtra's western coast, has been designated as one of the state's official tourism districts due to its picturesque setting. This beach town is flanked by the stunning Sahyadri Mountains and the Arabian Sea. Malvan is now among the top tourist spots in all of Maharashtra. Tourists flock to the region to enjoy its famously beautiful beaches, historical sites, delectable Maharashtrian cuisine, thrilling water sports, and food.
The town of Malvani is known for its gram flour sweets, such as Malvaniladoos and Malvanikhaja, and for the abundance of sugarcane, coconuts, rice, groundnuts, and mangoes that it produces. With its liberal use of coconut in all its forms—grated, dry, fried, paste, and coconut milk—and a dash of kokum that gives its delicacies a natural sweetness, Malvani food is undeniably among the most delicious of all Maharashtrian dishes.
Malvani masala is an essential ingredient in Maharashtrian cuisine and has a magical ability to transport you to the vibrant streets of Maharashtra. Through the careful balance of spices, Malvani masala has been used to perfect the flavors of traditional Maharashtrian cuisine for centuries.
In this article, we'll talk about where Malvani masala comes from, how it's used in the kitchen, and how to use its magical powers in your kitchen.
Origin of Malvani Masala
The origin of the Malvani masala blend is still a source of debate. According to one legend, Malvani masala was first discovered by a merchant who traveled to Malvan, which was a major trading port and a popular destination for traders from the West. During one of his visits, the merchant noticed that the locals were using a specific blend of spices to season their food. They would mix dry red chilies with coriander, cumin, ginger, and other spices.
This unique blend became popular among the locals, and soon it was used in every meal. The custom of using this blend spread to the nearby regions and eventually reached the rest of the state.
Ingredients used to create Malvani masala
Malvani masala is a blend of dry red chilies, coriander, cumin, black pepper, nutmeg, cinnamon, and cardamom. The exact ingredients of the original blend are unknown, but today's Malvani masala is a mix of these ingredients.
As a first step, these seasonings undergo a lengthy, slow roasting process. After that, a coarse powder is made from it. In order to create the fragrant Malvani masala, additional spices like nutmeg and asafoetida are added to the mix.
Benefits of Using Malvani Masala
A unique blend of spices and herbs: There are a variety of blends of spices and herbs used to season dishes in Indian cuisine. But what makes Malvani masala special is that it uses a mix of dry spices and fresh herbs, which gives it a unique aroma. Most commercial spice blends and masalas contain artificial flavors and preservatives that are harmful to your health. Not only do the spices and herbs in Malvani masala have health benefits, but they also bring out the natural flavors of other ingredients in the dish.
Malvani masala's applications in Maharashtrian cuisine
Malvani Fish Curry, Malvani Mutton Rassa, and Malvani Egg Curry are just a few of the non-vegetarian dishes that benefit from the addition of Malvani Masala, a spice blend popular in the Konkan region. These aromatic curries stand out due to the sauce's signature coconut base. The curry powder is responsible for the dish's eye-catching, vivid red.
Do not despair, vegetarians! Cashew nut curry, Malvani pumpkin curry, and bhindi (lady's finger) bhaji are all enhanced by the addition of Malvani masala. You could even use it to cook a dish called Kelphoolachi bhaji, which is a curry made with plantain flowers.
Tips on making Malvani Masala
One of the common mistakes people make when using spices is adding too much. When you add more spices than required, it can impact the flavor of the food. If you roast the spices at a high temperature, they may lose their flavor and become bitter. Adding fenugreek seeds when the pan is very hot burns them and makes them bitter. Because roasting releases the spices' flavor and makes them slightly crispy, it facilitates their blending.
So, spice up your life by infusing the power of Malvani masala in your cooking.
