Ver is a traditional Kashmiri spice mix that is usually stored in small tablets or cakes, so they can easily be added to sauces. Ver is simple, yet very aromatic, and is usually added towards the end of cooking to enhance the flavour, with fennel and black cardamom being quite prominent.
Servings 10spice cakes
Author Romy Gill
Ingredients
100g(3½ oz) fresh garlic, peeled
100g(3½ oz) shallots, peeled and chopped
50ml(1¾ fl oz /3 tablespoons) rapeseed (canola) oil
200g(7 oz /2 cups) kashmiri chilli powder
100g(3½ oz /1 cup) ground ginger
100g(3½ oz /1 cup) ground fennel
15g(½ oz /2 tablespoons) ground turmeric
10g(½ oz /1½ tablespoons) black cumin seeds
1tablespoonground cinnamon
1teaspoonground cloves
seeds of 5 black cardamom pods, crushed
seeds of 10 green cardamom pods, crushed
250ml(8½ fl oz /1 cup) water
Instructions
Place the garlic and chopped shallots in a blender or pestle and mortar and blitz or grind to a fine paste.
Heat the oil in a small saucepan over a medium heat. Once hot, remove from the heat and let cool before adding the rest of the ingredients. Mix with gloved hands until well incorporated, kneading the mixture like a dough.
Divide into 10 balls, then flatten them. Traditionally, these would be dried in the sun until there is no moisture left, but you can place them on a baking sheet and dehydrate them in a low oven for 2 hours.
Store in an airtight container to use when needed. It will keep for up to a month.
When using in the dishes, add about 1–2 teaspoons, or as directed in the recipe.