Garam masala ( ‘hot spice’ ) is a basic blend of ground spices to be used alone or with other seasonings. This easy-to-make spice blend is the heart of most Indian dishes, it probably has as many recipes as there are families in India. Some common ingredients are black peppercorns, cloves, cumin seeds, cinnamon, black cardamom, nutmeg. Whole spices can be ground when needed using an electric coffee grinder, it is often added at the end of cooking so that the full aroma is not lost.