Topic: How do you cook your spices

[gazman1976]

How do you guys cook your spices, do you throw them all in together at the start? or do you cook 1 spice at a time? just curious

[Madrasandy]

I now normally go in with mix powder then chilli, methi definately last

[Geezah]

In a base its all fried together then the toms added and the bahggar added to the base.

In a finished dish, I tend to add spices in at 2-3 different times.
chili, turmeric and paprika in first, then others secondary to that.

[Stephen Lindsay]

Bung them in at the start!  ;D :

[mickdabass]

I give the chilli powder a 30 second head start over the mix powder... but I dont cook on ultra high heat (if that makes sense)

[Invisible Mike]

I pre-measure the mix powder, chilli powder and methi into a ramekin - (this to save time fumbling around and prevent the risk of burning.) Then fry off the garlic and ginger for a few seconds, then tip the spices in and stir fry gently for a minute before adding tomato paste and gravy. Once the spices start to slightly burn my nose I know they've reached their limit and I must add something with a water content to prevent them being totally burnt. 

It's an interesting topic which I question also. I see BIR chefs on youtube put tomato paste in before spices or hardly frying them at all before adding gravy. Makes me wonder if it actually does make a difference to the flavour afterall. I don't know if this answer is a bit over elaborate for what you were looking for but this is how I do it.

Cheers