Are you ready to embark on a culinary journey to the vibrant streets of South Asia? Look no further than homemade Balti paste! Bursting with aromatic spices and rich flavors, Balti paste is a staple in Pakistani and North Indian cuisine, particularly in the Baltistan region. Making your own Balti paste at home allows you to customize the intensity of flavors and create authentic dishes that will transport your taste buds to the bustling markets of Lahore or Karachi. Let’s dive into this delightful recipe and elevate your cooking to new heights.
What is Balti Paste?
Balti paste is a fragrant and versatile spice blend used as a base for a variety of dishes, including curries, stir-fries, and grilled meats. It typically includes a harmonious combination of spices such as cumin, coriander, turmeric, garam masala, chili, garlic, and ginger. Balti paste adds depth, warmth, and complexity to dishes, making it a beloved ingredient in South Asian cooking.
Balti Paste
Ingredients
- 2 Large Onions roughly chopped
- ½ tsp Freshly Ground Black Pepper
- 1 tsp Salt
- 2 tsp Ground Coriander
- 2 tsp Ground Cumin
- 2 tbsp Smoked Sweet Paprika
- ½ tsp Dried Chilli Flakes
- 1 tsp Ground Turmeric
- 2 Garlic Cloves roughly chopped
- 1 cm Root Ginger peeled and chopped
- 3 tbsp Tomato Puree
Instructions
- Spray a frying pan with low-calorie cooking spray and place over medium heat. Add the onions, ginger and garlic to the pan and fry for 3-4 minutes until the onion is golden brown.
- Put the contents of the pan and the rest of the paste ingredients in a food processor or blender and blitz until it forms a paste. Transfer to a bowl, allow to cool and put it in the fridge – or – if you are planning ahead place it in aice cube tray and put it in the freezer