Mods - please fix the title and add ‘Are’ in the front.
What’s up with that?. Why is this such a taboo amongt the baby boomer generatiotn?. Why is using masala mixes looked down upon?.
It’s just so convenient and gives you the right taste for each dish. What these so called experts are doing is mixing different masalas at home. Why go through the hassle if you can get it all mixed at some factory?.
there is no innovativeness and the food tastes the same everytime when you use ready made masala
where as if you cook mixing your own spices then theres always that element of suspense and surprise...when you take the first nivaala :D
Consistency in taste is of prime importance when you are cooking. You can get a different flavor by cooking variety of dishes.
Just on a side note, most successful restaurants stay in business because of the consistency they provide in their food.
hmm thats right as well...
but still i like more experimenting and adding differnet spices at different time of cooking and stuff...
havind said that, we use nihari mix to cook nihari, will try the haleem mix this weekend and also have tried chicken curry last week…:halo: will use it as an option when i have to cook fast and easy…but real cooking experience ke liye to real masale
Its not about being ashamed of using packaged masalas. Neither is consistency a factor. The main reason why people use whole masalas instead of the packets is because of freshness. 'Sabut' masala is always fresh, and has the aroma that we have come to love in desi foods. Packaged masalas neither have the freshness, nor the aroma. Once you get used to them, sure you wouldnt mind them, but frankly, other than convenience, they dont offer much.
According to some people, it shows the phoharpun of the cook when they use ready-made masalays and not really put everything in themselves.
I use packaged only for some certain dishes, like chicken tikka or maybe biryani. For regular salan and stuff, I use or make my own masala combination. BUT I too have seen some older aunties saying that package masala is waste of money, it doesnt taste good, I disagree, as to somethings - dishes these package masalas are quite good.
But I think with the passage of time, I would prefere my own masala combination.
nopes but my bro keeps on saying that i use them coz i am stupid and dont know how 2 cook. 
i mix them with my own masalas 
aap sahe aag lagati honge nah I am not talking about the SHeen masala threads but refering to the Shan masala packs plus your very own.
I agree, freshness matters.
Also, they have too much chilli for my taste. Cutdown the masala and you don't have the flavour.
Plus, most masalas have additives - preservatives, emulsifiers, flavour enhancers, colours, which I'd rather avoid.
I'd rather have a simple masala than a complicated packet thing. If you're organized you can avoid using them most of the time.
They're okay in an emergency but they shouldn't be an everyday thing.
^^
Shirin,
Freshness is not an issue anymore. They come vacuum-packed. Will last forver fresh. Your other point is well-taken though. For my taste they have too much salt. My wife uses it only when pressed for time or when she wants me to cook. I use half the packet because kids won't eat otherwise. They are a very good way for women to dump some of the cooking on menfolks.