What are the alternatives for the Indian cooking ingredients?

Indian food is rich and spices are used to flavor the dishes. Though, most of them are cooked with garam masala powder or Indian curry powder mix, it can also be cooked with whole spices. In fact, whole spices add more flavor than store bought packets of garam masala powder.

Cinnamon and nutmeg which are widely used in America for making cakes and desserts are some of the most important components of garam masala powder or biriyani spice powder.

Cinnamon, star anise, peppercorn, bay leaf and nutmeg which are easily available in America can be used. Fennel seeds also add lot of flavor.

Another important flavoring agent is mint leaves. About a hand full of fresh mint leaves for 1 cup of rice adds lot of flavor to the biriyani. Green chillies, coriander and garlic also add lot of flavor.