Made a batch of panch phoran today. What exactly is panch phoran you might ask? This spice blend is a Bengali mixture consisting of equal parts fennel seed, cumin seed, black or brown mustard seed, fenugreek seed, and kalonji. The first three ingredients are easy enough to find, the last two can be found if you know where to look. Indian grocery stores are where you will find the fenugreek seed. Ask for kalonji at any other store and you’ll get an odd look. Even at Indian groceries, it is not uncommon to find the wrong seed packaged as kalonji. This exotic spice is also known as charnushka, nigella, black caraway, and of course kalonji can easily be purchased through Penzeys Spices online.

If you would like to know more about the flavors and find a few recipes using this aromatic blend, step on over to Barbara Fisher’s excellent food blog Tigers & Strawberries for some truly inspired words regarding panch phoran.