A tomato and coriander sauce is common, but no recipe for chicken tikka masala is standard; a survey found that of 48 different recipes, the only common ingredient was chicken. The sauce usually includes tomatoes (frequently as pure), cream, coconut cream and spices.
Garam masala, which literally means warm spice, is a staple blend used in Indian cooking. The exact mix can vary between household and regions, though it typically includes cinnamon, cardamom, cloves, cumin, coriander, nutmeg, and peppercorns.
The Kitchen King Masala is the king of all masalas, as it is a blend of all major spices used in cooking dishes like subzis. It is dark brown coloured, has a strong spicy flavour, and should be used sparingly.
Meat masala is a spice mix used in Keralan cuisine, typically as a marinade for various types of meat, especially mutton. Meat masala can either be rubbed onto pieces of meat as a dry powder mix, or combined with oil to make a paste that more easily coats the meat.
A subtle blend of spice specially combined to enhance the taste of vegetable dishes. Sabji Masala is virtually the fast-food equivalent in the range of blended spices. It gives vegetable dishes a mildly resonant flavour and the appetising colour so characteristic of vegetarian fare.
Chaat masala is also sprinkled on fruit, egg toasts and regular salads in India. Some spice brands market an alternate spice mix called Fruit Chaat Masala. The Fruit Chaat Masala tastes less of cumin, coriander and ginger, but more of chili pepper, black salt, amchoor and asafoetida.
Kanganwal, Ludhiana, Punjab