Cathy Katin-Grazzini
Cathy’s Kitchen Prescription LLC
www.cathyskitchenprescription.com
 
Panch Phoron, Belgali 5-Spice Blend
 
Popular in Bangladesh, West Bengal, and parts of Northern India and Nepal, panch phoron combines 5 spices and is used to flavor many curries, dals, and vegetable dishes. Interestingly, whole seeds are always used. Because panch phoron uses intact seeds, you can store it for indefinite periods without risk that it will lose its taste or nutritional potency over time.
 
1 tablespoon cumin seeds
1 tablespoon brown mustard seeds
1 tablespoon nigella seeds
1 tablespoon fennel seeds
1 ½ teaspoons fenugreek seeds
 
Mix the seeds together. Store in a spice jar in a cool, dark cupboard.