The word masala is of Indian origin and translates into ‘a mixture of spices.’  One of its most popular uses in a classic Chicken Tikka Masala recipe, but can also be a great way to cook a lovely vegetarian Indian dish like this one.  Hailing from Fine Cooking magazine, this fabulous recipe has you making a masala or mixture of spices from cumin seeds, ground cumin, turmeric, ground coriander, and cayenne pepper.

Along with sauteed onions, garlic and fresh ginger, this dish is spicy but not overwhelmingly so; it is more warming in taste.  The vegetables used in this dish are buttery chickpeas, wilted spinach and diced tomatoes.  A simply wonderful dish–best when served with basmati rice and naan to dip into the masala itself.

Tagged: basmati rice, cayenne pepper, chickpeas, coriander, cumin seeds, diced tomatoes, Fine Cooking, ginger, ground cumin, India, Indian, masala, onion, spinach, turmeric, vegetarian, vegetarian masala