What is a "Masala"?

Simply put... The Oxford Dictionary says this:
masala | məˈsɑːlə | noun [mass noun] 

• a mixture of ground spices used in Indian cooking. 
• a dish flavoured with masala: chicken masala.​
• someone or something that comprises a varied mixture of elements: an Indian who grew up with a masala of influences in England, Jamaica, and Italy.

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Jimmy's Feast Biryani

Potato Masala

Lamb/meat Kofta

How did this come about?

Creating these masalas comes from a deep love of cooking and eating mouth-watering dishes. If you weren't lucky enough to grow up with a parent, grand-parent, or aunty in the house teaching you these things along the way, cooking exotic foods may feel very intimidating.

The Spice Mistress brand came into being because friends and neighbours would ask for the recipe of "your famous butter chicken" or "that chilli was the best we ever tasted" but once the conversation went to, "well you grind this with your mortar and pestle" or "do you have cardamom pods and asafoetida?" and you get a blank stare... "how about I just make you the masala, and you can do the rest?" becomes the OBVIOUS answer!

These are REAL ingredients, no artificial anything, of any kind. You get the full spice list, no substitutions, in the right balance. All you need to do is maybe fry an onion or a few easy-to-find/already-have-in-stock items, add the measured amount of masala per quantity of meat or veg you're making, let it cook & simmer for the specified time and there you have it! The REAL deal.

(The photos here represent the initial 5 masalas + the chai masala. We have a  total of 20 on the list to develop as we grow!)

​Authentic.
​Homemade.
Easy & Exotic.

South Indian Curry

Susheela's Butter Chicken

Black Chai Masala