Here in Houston, we have the luxury of giant plump oysters fresh from the Gulf Coast. These are best roasted in the oven and with this ocean masala on top, make for a tangy delicious appetizer with wine or a martini. The amchur (dried green mango powder) in the ocean masala adds a layer of complexity to the flavors.
This is one of the best ways to use this curry masala. The potato curry is simple and satisfying. Add peas or asparagus to it to amp it up. It makes a great side dish or serve fried eggs over it for breakfast.
The pop masala is inspired by the panch phoran, the 5-spice masala from Bengal. We added a couple of more spices for balance and the spice is best used when popped in hot oil and then added to food at the end or the beginning of cooking. Here simple mashed potatoes made with ghee and yogurt, as opposed to the more traditional butter and milk, are topped off with pop masala to not only add a crunch, but a burst of flavor.