TIP FOR MAKING INDIAN CURRY

I LOVE THIS PICKLE (that isn't a pickle)!

Oh...that's not my box. It was image search. My Dabba currently resides in AR with the partner's aunt. She's a real spice nut gives local lectures about spices. She LOVED the spice box.
I really need another one soon. When I had it I had Coriander Seed, Cardamon seed, Fenugreek Seed, Turmeric, Cumin, Hot Red Peppers (dried).
(I also use ginger powder and Cinnamon----but those are in metal tins attached to magnetic knife rack).

A hint for those that use a coffee grinder: Grind raw rice and baking soda to powder to clean it. I was amazed..it works well enough you can still use it for coffee (YMMV according to brand of grinder tho(g))

@ susan g: its a tray.that sits over the seven compartments. The lid is usually snug fitting and the tray kinds helps keep other bigger spices like whole arbol chilles & cinnamon which may be too long to stuff into the cups longitudinally

I was pleased to find that the masala dabba is not expensive, under $10 at an Indian grocery in Connecticut. I use it for all kinds of spice mixing, don't keep the cups filled. Can pauljoseph or panfusine tell me why there are two lids or is one a tray? -- what I have looks just like what I see in your photos (and Sam, thank you all).
Whole Foods may not display the photos -- try your home computer.

a Whole Foods Market which are the three pictures

I can't see any of the three pictures

a Whole Foods Market Customer which picture?

a south Indial Thali

how do I view the pictures?

Panfusine thank you for posting that beautiful spices picture

A sambar powder will post a very good Meet masala powder recipe tomorrow http://www.food52.com/recipes/9729_sambar_powder

right next to the spice box is a coffee grinder i use exclusively for spices..a table spoon of cumin.. a few pulses.. & voila! ditto with every other spice.

I wish someone could help me with a pantry and spice makeover!! :-) How do you make spice powder? Do u, eg buy cumin seeds adn grind every day?

oops, forgot to attach the pic! sorry!

Thanks.. this was a great opp to clean out the box and refill! it..
well here is mine..
Starting with the dried arbol chile's on the inner plate; black peppercorn, split dried Garbanzo (chana) dal , fenugreek seeds, cumin, split de-husked Urad dal, Black mustard seeds and Turmeric (speckled with mustard seeds!). I tend to make spice powders as and when I need it rather than store bought, which quickly loses aroma.

I can't see any pictures
This is what I have in my dabba: cumin, coriander, garam, cinnamon, salt, turmeric, red chile powder.

Sam, Paul and Panfusine.....please do! And any others out there.

Panfusine Why not let's start posting

WHy not have a lil show & tell here on food pickle.. all those of us with Masala dabbas, take pix and post with the list of whats in them?

sorry 1 to 7

Great picture Sam1148 Can you please tell us what are those species 1 to 6

I'll add to this. Get a mortar pestle...cheap one in granite are great, about 15 bucks from a local market. (shipped much more as they're heavy).


Use a masala Dabba. (Indian spice box). To create a spice mix on a whim, to adjust for seasons, or personal taste.

It's a round steel box with containers for spices around a central 'staging area'.

You go around the spice box with a bit of this, a bit of that..toast them..grind them in the mortar pestal. Return to the central container..and use that for your 'mix' for the week--adding other spices for other dishes as you wish..

Get one with a light proof solid lid, in all stainless steel.