Indian cooking is an art, and like every art form, it thrives on the right tools. In the Indian kitchen, masalas are those tools. A pinch of the right spice blend can transform a simple dal into a soul-satisfying bowl of comfort, or turn leftover vegetables into a sabzi that tastes like it came from your favourite dhaba. For over 57 years, KBM Foods has been crafting premium spice blends trusted by millions of Indian households. In this blog, we bring you 5 everyday Indian recipes and show you exactly which KBM masala makes each one truly special.
Whether you are a beginner in the kitchen or a seasoned home cook, these recipes are easy to follow, require minimal prep, and deliver maximum flavour — thanks to the magic of KBM’s authentic spice blends.
1. Dal Tadka — The Soul of Indian Comfort Food
Dal is arguably the most beloved everyday dish across India. Simple, nutritious, and endlessly versatile, a good dal is only as good as its tadka — and the right masala makes all the difference.
Ingredients
• 1 cup yellow moong dal or arhar dal
• 1 medium onion, finely chopped
• 2 tomatoes, chopped
• 1 tsp ginger-garlic paste
• 1 tsp cumin seeds (or use KBM Jeera Sabut)
• 2 tsp KBM Dal Makhani Masala
• Salt, oil, and fresh coriander to taste
Method
Pressure cook the dal until soft. In a pan, heat oil and splutter jeera. Add onions and sauté until golden, then add ginger-garlic paste and tomatoes. Cook until the tomatoes break down. Add 2 teaspoons of KBM Dal Makhani Masala and stir well. Pour in the cooked dal, add water to adjust consistency, and simmer for 5 minutes. Finish with a drizzle of ghee and chopped coriander.
KBM Dal Makhani Masala is a carefully balanced blend that brings together the warmth of coriander, the earthiness of cumin, and a hint of dried fenugreek. It is the reason your dal will taste restaurant-quality every single time.
2. Pav Bhaji — Mumbai’s Favourite Street Food at Home
Pav Bhaji is the quintessential Mumbai street food — a thick, buttery vegetable mash served with soft dinner rolls. The secret to its iconic taste is not just butter; it is the spice blend that gives the bhaji its distinctive colour, aroma, and flavour.
Ingredients
• 3 medium potatoes, boiled and mashed
• 1 cup mixed vegetables (peas, cauliflower, carrots)
• 2 onions, finely chopped
• 2 tomatoes, chopped
• 2 tbsp butter
• 2 tsp KBM Pav Bhaji Masala
• 1/2 tsp KBM Turmeric Powder
• Salt and lemon juice to taste
Method
Boil and mash all vegetables together. In a large pan, heat butter and sauté onions until soft. Add tomatoes and cook until mushy. Add KBM Pav Bhaji Masala and KBM Turmeric Powder. Mix in the mashed vegetables, adding water to achieve the right consistency. Mash everything together with a potato masher and simmer for 10 minutes. Serve with buttered and toasted pav buns.
The KBM Pav Bhaji Masala is specially formulated to replicate the tangy, spicy, buttery profile of authentic Mumbai-style bhaji. It contains over 15 spices in perfect proportion so you never need to guess.
3. Chholey — North India’s Most Iconic Curry
Few dishes command the respect that a well-made chholey does. Whether served with bhatura, kulcha, or rice, the key to chholey that tastes like it was made by a halwai is the masala blend.
Ingredients
• 2 cups kabuli chana (white chickpeas), soaked overnight
• 2 large onions, finely chopped
• 3 tomatoes, pureed
• 1 tsp ginger-garlic paste
• 2 tsp KBM Chholey Masala
• 1/2 tsp KBM Red Chilli Powder
• 1/2 tsp KBM Coriander Powder
Method
Pressure cook the soaked chana with a tea bag (for colour) until soft. In a heavy-bottomed pan, heat oil and fry onions until deep golden brown — this step is non-negotiable. Add ginger-garlic paste, then tomato puree. Cook the masala until oil separates. Add KBM Chholey Masala, KBM Red Chilli Powder, and KBM Coriander Powder. Add the cooked chana, mix well, and simmer for 15 minutes. Finish with a squeeze of lemon and fresh coriander.
4. Biryani — The King of Indian Rice Dishes
Biryani is more than a dish — it is a celebration. But achieving that perfect biryani at home, layered with aromatic rice and tender meat or vegetables, is far easier with the right masala.
Ingredients
• 2 cups basmati rice, soaked for 30 minutes
• 500g chicken or vegetables of choice
• 2 large onions, thinly sliced and fried
• 1 cup yoghurt
• 2 tbsp KBM Biryani Masala
• Whole spices: KBM Black Pepper Whole, bay leaf, cloves, cardamom
• Saffron soaked in warm milk, ghee, and mint leaves
Method
Marinate chicken or vegetables with yoghurt, KBM Biryani Masala, and salt for at least 1 hour. Par-boil rice with whole spices until 70% cooked. Layer the marinated protein at the bottom of a heavy pot, add the par-boiled rice on top, drizzle with saffron milk and ghee, and scatter fried onions and mint. Seal the pot with dough or a tight lid and cook on dum (low flame) for 25 minutes. The result is a fragrant, layered biryani that rivals any restaurant.
KBM Biryani Masala is the cornerstone of this recipe — a complex blend of over 20 whole and ground spices that gives biryani its signature depth of aroma and colour.
5. Shahi Paneer — A Royal Treat for Vegetarians
Shahi Paneer is the crown jewel of vegetarian Indian cooking — rich, creamy, and deeply aromatic. It is the dish you make when you want to impress guests or treat yourself to something truly special.
Ingredients
• 250g paneer, cubed
• 1 large onion, 2 tomatoes, 10 cashews — blended into a smooth paste
• 1/2 cup cream or thick yoghurt
• 2 tsp KBM Shahi Paneer Masala
• 1/2 tsp KBM Turmeric Powder
• 1 tsp KBM Kasoor Methi (Kasoori Methi) — crushed
Method
Heat ghee in a pan. Add the blended onion-tomato-cashew paste and cook until it turns deep orange and fat separates. Add KBM Shahi Paneer Masala and KBM Turmeric Powder. Stir well, add 1/2 cup water, and bring to a gentle simmer. Add paneer cubes and cream. Simmer for 5 minutes. Finish by crushing KBM Kasoori Methi between your palms and stirring it in. This final touch adds the fragrant, slightly bitter note that defines Shahi Paneer.
Why KBM Masalas Make Every Recipe Better
The difference between a good dish and an unforgettable one often comes down to the quality of spices used. KBM Foods has been blending premium masalas since 1969, using 100% pure ingredients with no artificial additives. Every blend is carefully calibrated — not too spicy, not too mild — to deliver consistent, restaurant-quality results every time.
From KBM Blended Spices to KBM Grounded Spices and KBM Whole Spices, there is a KBM product for every cooking need. With free shipping on orders above ₹399 and availability on Amazon, BigBasket, Zepto, and JioMart, getting authentic KBM masalas delivered to your kitchen has never been easier.
So the next time you step into your kitchen, reach for KBM and let every meal tell a story worth savouring. Khana Banaye Mazedaar!
