Chole masala- Health Benefits, Uses and Important Facts

Difference between chhole masala and garam masala:

1. These spice blends are very similar to each other and can be used in place of each other when needed. In fact, garam masala is often used instead of a separate chana masala spice mix in chole masala recipes.
2.  First, this mix is spicier than garam masala because it has dried chilis in it. The dry mango powder gives it a hint of sour, fruity taste.
3.  Also, garam masala is made with star anise, which gives it licorice notes that this blend doesn't have.

Common Ingredients to prepare chhole masala:

1. Kashmiri chiles: Use a mixture of cayenne and paprika or a different dried red pepper, like Guajillo chiles, in place of these.
2. Asafoetida is a spice that is used a lot in Indian cooking. If you can't find it, you can use an equal amount of onion powder and garlic powder instead.
3. If you don't have fenugreek leaves, you can use fenugreek seeds instead.
4. Green cardamom is different from ground cardamom, which is made from black cardamom, because it has both the pods and the seeds. Black cardamom has a hot, smoky flavour, but green cardamom doesn't have that.
5. Dry mango powder: This is optional, but it gives the spice mix a sour and fruity taste.

Easy steps to prepare chhole masala at home:

Chhole Masala ingredients:

1. 3 tablespoons cumin seeds
2. 2 tablespoons dried pomegranate seeds
3. 3 tablespoons coriander seeds
4. 10-12 dried red chillies
5. 1 teaspoon fenugreek seeds
6. ½ teaspoon ajwain
7. Seeds from 2 black cardamom pods
8. 3 tsp black peppercorns
9. cinnamon sticks (4)
10. 8-10 cloves
11. 2 tsp black salt
12. ½ teaspoon dried ginger powder
13. 1 tsp dried mango powder
14. 1 tsp dried garlic powder

How to prepare chhole masala at home?

1. Toast the cumin seeds and coriander seeds together in a pan over medium-high heat until they smell good and are warm to the touch but not yet smoking. This shouldn't take more than a minute or two.
2. Move to a bowl to cool down. Now add the dried pomegranate seeds, dried chilies, ajwain, fenugreek seeds, cardamom seeds, black peppercorns, cinnamon, and cloves to the pan and toast them lightly for about a minute, but not until they are smoking.
3. Put the cumin and coriander into the pan. Once the mixture has cooled, put it in a spice grinder with the other ingredients and grind it until it is a fine powder. Store in a container that won't let air in and use as needed.

Health benefits of chhole masala:

1. Provide a lot of nutrients

Masala mixes are healthy because they have different kinds of spices, dal, and cereals in them. For example, sambar powder and rasam powder are mixes of spices that are high in minerals like iron, calcium, magnesium, phosphorous, sodium, and potassium, and vitamins like folates, carotenes (vitamin A), K, and C. The dal in these mixes is also a good source of protein, vitamins, and minerals. Spices like asafoetida, coriander seeds, cumin seeds, mace, and turmeric are used in masala mixes like garam masala, goda masala, and panch phoron. All of these spices are high in iron and calcium. So, each masala mix can be thought of as a bomb full of good things for you.

2. Contain antioxidants

Antioxidants like flavonoids, polyphenols, and lignans are found in large amounts in masala spices. It is known that antioxidants can lessen oxidative stress. The high number of free radicals in the cells and tissues of the human body causes this stress. Free radicals are caused by things like radiation, stress, eating contaminated food, living in a bad environment, being physically active, smoking, drinking too much, and being addicted to drugs or alcohol. High oxidative stress can cause many diseases, such as cancer, heart diseases, and aging quickly. So, eating masala every day will help you feel less stressed and may even make you live longer.

3. Have anti-inflammatory properties

Red chili peppers, bay leaves, black pepper, and nutmeg are all strong anti-inflammatory spices. So, these spices help reduce the inflammatory response in diseases like asthma, atherosclerosis, and rheumatoid arthritis.

4. Have antimicrobial and antifungal properties

Do you often get sick from what you eat? Microorganisms cause it, and it can be dangerous to your health. Spices like clove, cinnamon, and cumin, which are used in our masala, have strong antibacterial and antifungal properties that kill bacteria that cause food to go bad, pathogens like Staphylococcus aureus, and harmful fungi. So, spices act like antimicrobial agents that can kill microorganisms and stop their growth.

5. Help in the fight against cancer

Do you know that spices can change the way your immune system works or how your immune system responds? The term "immunomodulatory effects" is used to describe this quality. Several studies show that spices have effects on the immune system in addition to their antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects. This makes them good for preventing and treating lung, liver, breast, stomach, colon, rectum, cervix, and prostate cancer, among others. Several spices, like turmeric, cumin, ginger, garlic, saffron, black pepper, and red chilies, contain bioactive anti-cancer compounds like curcumin, thymoquinone, piperine, and capsaicin. In July 2016, the magazine Pharmacognosy published an article called "Sambar, an Indian dish, Prevents the Development of Dimethyl Hydrazine-Induced Colon Cancer: A Preclinical Study." This article says that sambar prevents colon cancer because the spices in its curry powder have anti-cancer properties.

6. They're good for your teeth

Spices like cloves and cinnamon have been used to help with small dental problems since ancient times. These spices have phytochemicals in them that kill microorganisms in the mouth and treat dental problems like gingivitis, periodontitis, plaques, discoloration, pain, and swelling. So, mixes of masala that have these spices are good for your teeth.

7. Boost metabolism

Garlic, fenugreek, red pepper, turmeric, and ginger are all common foods that can help lower cholesterol. Several other spices can help prevent diabetes, fight obesity, and keep your heart healthy if you eat them often.

So, the next time you make a delicious pot of sambar or add a lot of goda masala to your food, talk to your kids about how good these traditional ingredients are and how they help the body fight germs. Don't forget that you're not just making your food taste and smell better; you're also helping your family stay healthy.