Curry powder is an essential ingredient in many popular Indian dishes. It is a blend of various spices that gives your dish that authentic and flavorful curry taste. Making curry powder is easy when you follow these 14 simple steps.

1. Gather your ingredients: To make curry powder, you’ll need a selection of spices including coriander seeds, cumin seeds, cloves, mustard seeds, fennel seeds, cinnamon sticks, fenugreek seeds, cardamom pods, bay leaves, black peppercorns, and dried red chili peppers.

2. Toast the spices: Toasting the spices helps to release their flavors and aroma. Heat a pan over medium heat and add the spices (coriander seeds, cumin seeds, cloves, mustard seeds, fennel seeds) to the pan. Toast them for 3-4 minutes until they’re fragrant.

3. Add remaining whole spices: Next, add cinnamon sticks, fenugreek seeds, cardamom pods, bay leaves, black peppercorns, and dried red chili peppers to the pan. Continue toasting for an additional 2-3 minutes. Be sure to stir frequently to prevent burning.

4. Let the spices cool: Once toasted and fragrant, remove the spices from the pan and place them on a plate or a tray to cool down for a few minutes.

5. Remove cardamom shells: After the spices have cooled down slightly, open each cardamom pod and remove the small black seeds inside. Discard the green shells.

6. Prepare a spice grinder or blender: You can use a spice grinder or a powerful blender to grind the cooled down spices into a fine powder.

7. Grind in batches: If your grinder or blender can’t fit all of your toasted spices at once, grind them in batches for consistent results.

8. Grind into a fine powder: Pulse or blend the spices on high speed until they turn into a fine powder. You may need to scrape down the sides of the grinder or blender to ensure everything is properly ground.

9. Sift the curry powder: Sifting your curry powder will give you a smoother texture and eliminate any larger spice pieces. Use a fine-mesh strainer or sieve to sift the curry powder into a bowl.

10. Taste and adjust: Taste the curry powder and make any adjustments as needed. You can add more of your preferred spices for a personalized blend.

11. Add ground turmeric: To give your curry powder its signature yellow color, add 2 tablespoons of ground turmeric to the mixture. Stir well to combine.

12. Mix in optional ingredients: For added depth of flavor, you can also mix in optional ingredients such as ground ginger, garlic powder, or onion powder to your curry powder blend.

13. Store your homemade curry powder: Transfer your freshly made curry powder to an airtight container or a glass jar with a tight-fitting lid. Store it in a cool, dark place away from heat and direct sunlight.

14. Use within 6 months: Homemade curry powders are most flavorful when used within 6 months. Consider labeling the container with the date so you know when it’s time for a fresh batch.

Follow these simple steps and enjoy the flavors of homemade curry powder in your favorite Indian dishes!