When the students in Ruta Kahate's cooking classes complained that her recipe for goda masala was too tedious and difficult to prepare, the Indian-born cook decided she'd simply make it for them. Now, with the help of the kitchen staff at the Pasta Shop (5655 College Ave., Oakland, 510/547-4005), Kahate's spice mix is available to the rest of us, too. Made with 12 individually roasted whole spices and seasonings, including dried coconut and sesame seeds, goda (which means sweet) masala is traditionally used in vegetarian dishes in the West Indian state of Maharashtra, where Kahate lived as a child. At her home in Oakland, Kahate likes to pair it with meat as well, particularly chicken. Recipes using her goda masala are available at www.rutaruta.com, where you can also find a schedule of her popular classes and culinary tours of India.