The Mistress of Spices

When I'm out of tahini, I make hummus with a bit of yogurt instead, it is delicious. See my recipe: http://www.mistress-of-spices.com/2011/08/simple-hummus.html

Making tahini from scratch with sesame seeds is also very easy. See this recipe: http://food52.com/blog/4450_homemade_tahini_creamy_and_coarse

I too love Ethiopian food! Brought some teff flour back with us on last trip to the States and am hoping to attempt making injera sometime soon, along with some mesir wat (the red lentils) and abesha gomen (collard greens), recipe for which I have on my blog (very simple): http://www.mistress-of-spices.com/2012/07/abesha-gomen-ethiopian-collard-greens.html

Love pupusas! Enjoyed them regularly when I lived in Washington DC, where there is a sizeable Salvadoran population. They are indeed easy to make at home, if you can get your hands on some masa harina. I brought some back with me on my last trip to the States but it's already running low with all the corn tortillas I've made. It would be LOVELY if someone can start selling masa harina in Bangkok!

Yes! Peng Lee, which is a small Chinese shop stocking many Indian goods. It is in Asok Market right at the exit of Asok BTS, next to Terminal 21. They have fresh curry leaves. You can definitely freeze them to make them last longer, I do it all the time.

I don't think there's any point in buying Indian spices in Bangkok to take back to the States. Most major (and even smaller) cities in the U.S. have at least one Indian supermarket these days and often many more, where you can buy many spices in bulk much cheaper than you can here in Thailand. I haven't seen a single shop in Pahurat selling in bulk or selling all of the spices I need, I generally have done much better at Bimala Mini Mart (Sukhumvit Soi 10) or Peng Lee in Asok Market next to Terminal 21. Or better yet, I stock up when I go to India or Singapore! But seriously, I think you'll do better in the States.

In terms of what to buy it all depends on what dishes you would like to make. Commonly used spices in some of the most popular Indian dishes include:

Cumin (seeds, powder)

Coriander (seeds, powder, fresh)

Fennel seeds

Fenugreek (seeds, fresh)

Mustard seeds (black and/or yellow)

Turmeric

Chili powder

Garam masala

Cardamom (pods, seeds, powder)

Cloves

Cinnamom (sticks, powder to a lesser degree)

I have recipes for several common Indian dishes on my blog, perhaps you'd be interested: http://www.mistress-of-spices.com/

Like most Indians, I don't use curry pastes but rather whatever mixture of spices (whole, freshly ground and/or spice powders depending) I need to make the dish I am making. I have found most of the Indian spices I need at Villa, Foodland, etc. but for the more esoteric ones try Bimala Mini Mart (Sukhumvit Soi 10, first alley turn on the left) or Peng Lee, which is a Chinese shop in the Asok Market next to Terminal 21. Asok Market also sells fresh curry leaves and some Indian vegetables. Bimala can do home delivery of Indian spices/flours/products, as can Mrs. Balbir.