I am very much into Indian cooking, Kerala really inspired me. I am learning how and what spices to use and I love the idea that you use them to obtain optimum health . This is the Ayurvedic belief. Although I like to experiment, there are certain spice mixes you have to take advise from the experts.
This recipe for garam masala I find especially good and when you roast the spices the whole house has this amazing smell, so you kill two birds with the same stone!

• 3 bay leaves
•1 teaspoon fennel seeds
• 10 green cardamon pods, de seed them and discard the husks
• 5 black cardamon pods, de seeded them and discard the husks
• 10 cloves
• a small piece of cinnamon stick
• 1 teaspoon peppercorns
• 2 teaspoons of black cumin seeds
• 2 teaspoons coriander seeds

• over medium heat, dry roast the spices in a frypan
• when you can smell the fragrance and they are turning a little darker, they are ready

• let the spices cool completely
• grind it to a fine powder with a mortar and pestle
• or use a spice grinder

• put in an airtight container