Chettinad Masala

Chettinad cuisine originates from the Chettinad region in southern Tamil Nadu, India, and is renowned for its bold, aromatic spice blends. A traditional Chettinad masala can include up to 16 spices: cumin, coriander, curry leaves, dried red chilli, black cardamom, green cardamom, clove, star anise, black pepper, fennel seeds, cinnamon, mace, nutmeg, fenugreek, poppy seeds, and turmeric. The spices are typically dry-roasted individually to release their oils before being ground together. For home cooks, this is a sauce that takes at least an hour to develop its full depth, tempered with coconut milk to balance the heat. The result is rich, complex, and deeply layered.