The are probably as many versions of a masala in Indian cooking, as there are vegetables. They are a real delight, and cannot be achieved without a proper pairing. It is important to understand the subtlety required to prepare a masala mix, before its tangy yet spicy, pungent and creamy journey is used in a fragrant and gently cooked gastronomic Indian dish.
Masala is an aromatic blend of fresh herbs and spices – whole or ground – and when it is combined with fresh citrus juices, oil or vinegar, it gives Indian dishes their distinct flavour. There are a few key spices, which are necessary – small red shallots, vibrant green chillies, ginger and spicy garlic – which, when ground together with hot dried bird's eye chillies, curry leaves and other sweet-scented seeds, produce the most delicious results.
You can buy most of the flavourings ground and bottled in supermarkets, but there is something satisfying when you grind your own. Recipes vary, but here are some tasty tips you need to know.
Dry powder masalas should be gently stir-fried in vegetable, coconut or olive oil, as they really benefit by releasing strong-scented aroma and flavour.
The heat level of chillies, which were introduced to Indians by the Portugese, is determined by the number of seeds they contain, and provide extra flavour when lightly roasted.
The base of most curries are three key ingredients: onion, ginger and garlic. They should be slowly sauteed, till they achieve a golden brown, caramel colour, and are intertwined with each other.
Coconut is often added to masalas and curries to achieve a creamy texture, and its flavour is an added bonus.
Curries can be thick or thin in consistency – the thicker variants require lesser water – which allows the ingredients to be gently coated, as opposed to swimming in thin gravy.
Where masalas are used in recipes, each blend and method is unique to each individual dish. This specific recipe, is a quick curry for a cook who is pressed for time. It is useful, as it can be prepared in advance and stored in the fridge. As long as you have some chutney in the pantry, all you need to do is add in some yoghurt and coriander, to produce a dish that tastes authentic.
The recipe originates from Gujarat, which is the birthplace of some of India's finest vegetarian food, where mouthfuls of favourite curries are served with pickles to adjust the heat to personal preference.
This curry is simple and undoubtedly quick – Indian cooking at its best. You can enjoy warmth from the spices, crunchiness from the beans and the cooling properties of coconut, all in one bite.
Yellow Beans Foogath (green beans can be substituted for yellow)
Preparation time: 10 minutes
Cooking time: 20 minutes
Serves 2
Ingredients
A generous splash of coconut oil
1 heaped teaspoon cumin seeds
150g new potatoes, scrubbed and roughly diced
1 red onion, finely chopped
500g yellow beans, topped and tailed, and chopped into 1 cm pieces
3 dried red chillies, crushed
50g freshly grated coconut
Sea salt
Method
▶ Heat the coconut oil in a large wok. Once hot, add the cumin seeds and cook until they begin to sizzle and crackle.
▶ Add the onion and potatoes and sauté until they turn slightly brown. Add a sprinkling of water and let it cook until the potatoes are al dente.
▶ Stir in the yellow beans, put in the dried red chilies and season with sea salt, according to taste. Cook until the beans are tender, stirring occasionally.
▶ Place onto a serving dish and sprinkle with the freshly grated coconut and serve warm.
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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Mohammed bin Zayed Majlis
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F1 The Movie
Starring: Brad Pitt, Damson Idris, Kerry Condon, Javier Bardem
Director: Joseph Kosinski
Rating: 4/5
Jetour T1 specs
Engine: 2-litre turbocharged
Power: 254hp
Torque: 390Nm
Price: From Dh126,000
Available: Now
David Haye record
Total fights: 32
Wins: 28
Wins by KO: 26
Losses: 4
Prop idols
Girls full-contact rugby may be in its infancy in the Middle East, but there are already a number of role models for players to look up to.
Sophie Shams (Dubai Exiles mini, England sevens international)
An Emirati student who is blazing a trail in rugby. She first learnt the game at Dubai Exiles and captained her JESS Primary school team. After going to study geophysics at university in the UK, she scored a sensational try in a cup final at Twickenham. She has played for England sevens, and is now contracted to top Premiership club Saracens.
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Seren Gough-Walters (Sharjah Wanderers mini, Wales rugby league international)
Few players anywhere will have taken a more circuitous route to playing rugby on Sky Sports. Gough-Walters was born in Al Wasl Hospital in Dubai, raised in Sharjah, did not take up rugby seriously till she was 15, has a master’s in global governance and ethics, and once worked as an immigration officer at the British Embassy in Abu Dhabi. In the summer of 2021 she played for Wales against England in rugby league, in a match that was broadcast live on TV.
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Erin King (Dubai Hurricanes mini, Ireland sevens international)
Aged five, Australia-born King went to Dubai Hurricanes training at The Sevens with her brothers. She immediately struck up a deep affection for rugby. She returned to the city at the end of last year to play at the Dubai Rugby Sevens in the colours of Ireland in the Women’s World Series tournament on Pitch 1.
THE LOWDOWN
Photograph
Rating: 4/5
Produced by: Poetic License Motion Pictures; RSVP Movies
Director: Ritesh Batra
Cast: Nawazuddin Siddiqui, Sanya Malhotra, Farrukh Jaffar, Deepak Chauhan, Vijay Raaz
Porsche Macan T: The Specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4-cyl turbo
Power: 265hp from 5,000-6,500rpm
Torque: 400Nm from 1,800-4,500rpm
Transmission: 7-speed dual-clutch auto
Speed: 0-100kph in 6.2sec
Top speed: 232kph
Fuel consumption: 10.7L/100km
On sale: May or June
Price: From Dh259,900
The specs
- Engine: 3.9-litre twin-turbo V8
- Power: 640hp
- Torque: 760nm
- On sale: 2026
- Price: Not announced yet
West Asia Premiership
Dubai Hurricanes 58-10 Dubai Knights Eagles
Dubai Tigers 5-39 Bahrain
Jebel Ali Dragons 16-56 Abu Dhabi Harlequins
Key facilities
- Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
- Premier League-standard football pitch
- 400m Olympic running track
- NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
- 600-seat auditorium
- Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
- An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
- Specialist robotics and science laboratories
- AR and VR-enabled learning centres
- Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
UAE v Gibraltar
What: International friendly
When: 7pm kick off
Where: Rugby Park, Dubai Sports City
Admission: Free
Online: The match will be broadcast live on Dubai Exiles’ Facebook page
UAE squad: Lucas Waddington (Dubai Exiles), Gio Fourie (Exiles), Craig Nutt (Abu Dhabi Harlequins), Phil Brady (Harlequins), Daniel Perry (Dubai Hurricanes), Esekaia Dranibota (Harlequins), Matt Mills (Exiles), Jaen Botes (Exiles), Kristian Stinson (Exiles), Murray Reason (Abu Dhabi Saracens), Dave Knight (Hurricanes), Ross Samson (Jebel Ali Dragons), DuRandt Gerber (Exiles), Saki Naisau (Dragons), Andrew Powell (Hurricanes), Emosi Vacanau (Harlequins), Niko Volavola (Dragons), Matt Richards (Dragons), Luke Stevenson (Harlequins), Josh Ives (Dubai Sports City Eagles), Sean Stevens (Saracens), Thinus Steyn (Exiles)
ESSENTIALS
The flights
Emirates flies from Dubai to Phnom Penh via Yangon from Dh2,700 return including taxes. Cambodia Bayon Airlines and Cambodia Angkor Air offer return flights from Phnom Penh to Siem Reap from Dh250 return including taxes. The flight takes about 45 minutes.
The hotels
Rooms at the Raffles Le Royal in Phnom Penh cost from $225 (Dh826) per night including taxes. Rooms at the Grand Hotel d'Angkor cost from $261 (Dh960) per night including taxes.
The tours
A cyclo architecture tour of Phnom Penh costs from $20 (Dh75) per person for about three hours, with Khmer Architecture Tours. Tailor-made tours of all of Cambodia, or sites like Angkor alone, can be arranged by About Asia Travel. Emirates Holidays also offers packages.
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Specs
Engine: Dual-motor all-wheel-drive electric
Range: Up to 610km
Power: 905hp
Torque: 985Nm
Price: From Dh439,000
Available: Now
