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A Beginner’s Guide to Indian Cooking

It’s almost impossible to get your head around what “Indian cooking” is. There’s so much variety to this ancient cuisine, which incorporates different flavors and spices from region to region. Add to that a long history of trade, invasions and colonialism and you’ll find plenty of Persian, Portuguese, British and Dutch influences, among others. If you love how spicy Indian food is, you might be surprised to learn that chiles are a Mexican import, likely brought to India by the Portuguese in the 17th or 18th century. 

What Is Indian Cooking?

Indian cooking dates back to the Indus civilization, also called the Harappan civilization, of roughly 5,000 years ago. Wheat, rice, millet, chickpeas and lentils were the staple diet, and remain part of it to this day. Spices, especially cinnamon, were used to flavor food, and eventually the spices we’re now familiar with took hold: black cardamom, cumin and star anise, to name a few. Dairy products were later incorporated, and flatbreads became popular. 

Now, you might believe India is largely vegetarian. However, that isn’t true historically, or even in the present day. Cattle and poultry were eaten in ancient India, and even animals like wildfowl and peacocks were fair game! While we’re on the subject of myths, curry powder, a spice blend usually added to Indian-inspired food outside the country, is more likely a British invention than an Indian one. Indian curries vary according to region, ingredients and even families, and use several different combinations of spices. 

It’s not just curry—dishes vary wildly across different regions of India. But there are some similarities in certain regions that can help us understand what we might expect to find. 

Northern Indian Cooking

North Indian cuisine is the type seen most widely outside India. It has a strong Mughal influence and often features dairy ingredients like yogurt, clarified butter (ghee) and cream. You might be familiar with foods like samosas, palak paneer and korma from this region.

Western Indian Cooking

Look for fish and coconut-heavy cuisine along the western coast, though the sea-bordered state of Goa, a former Portuguese colony, has heavy Portuguese influences. Parts of western India, especially in Gujarat, are primarily vegetarian, and eat slightly sweetened food.

Eastern Indian Cooking

Eastern Indian cuisine favors fish and rice along the coast, especially in Bengal, and the upper northeastern states are heavily influenced by East Asian cuisine due to their proximity to the border. Momos, a type of dumpling, are one of the most prominent examples of this, closely resembling wontons. This region is also famous for its sweets, particularly rasgulla and mishti doi.

Southern Indian Cooking

South India relies heavily on fish in the coastal regions. Vegetable and lentil curries like sambar, rasam and poriyal (a dry curry) are also popular. Instead of flatbreads, main dishes are often eaten with crepe-like rice pancakes called dosas, or slightly thicker versions called utthapams, which may be filled or topped with vegetables and chutneys. Something you’ll likely see in Indian restaurants in this region are pappadams, which are deep-fried crispy rice crackers.

Indian Recipes

Much like the rest of the world, main dishes are the stars of an Indian table. From meat-based dishes like biryani and laal maas, to the classic vegetarian dishes like dal and chana masala, there’s something for everyone here. Of course, no meal is complete without a side of bread, and you’ll love cooking all the different types of Indian breads. Two of the most popular are chapatis and naan. But that’s not all you’ll want to have on the side when you’re learning how to cook Indian food: Check out Indian recipes for appetizers like samosas and delicious, cooling drinks like mango lassi. If you prefer lighter fare, you can always make your own chaat

Indian dessert recipes are a must too, so you can finish off your meal with melt-in-your-mouth pedas or syrupy rasgullas. And if you’re looking for a shortcut, you can make plenty of Indian recipes in your air fryer!

Indian Cooking Equipment

While cooking Indian food doesn’t always require specialized equipment, some tools can definitely make your dishes easier to make—and tastier! There are plenty of Indian cooking tools that you’ll find in traditional kitchens, but if you’re just starting out, you should have these basics:

  • Tawa: This concave pan, traditionally made of cast iron, is essential to making a fluffy roti or chapati. A flatter version can be used for dosas.
  • Belan and Chakla: The smaller, thinner rolling pin (belan) is perfect for rolling out flatbreads, and its accompanying board provides a sturdy surface.
  • Masala Daba: This basic spice box makes it easy to add spices while cooking.
  • Pressure Cooker: A good pressure cooker will save you time while making rice, dal and other Indian dishes that may take a while on the stovetop.

Of course, you can’t get started cooking Indian food without collecting a few Indian cookbooks, like Priya Krishna’s Indian-ish and the classic How to Cook Indian by Sanjeev Kapoor. 

Indian Cooking Techniques

Indian cooking techniques also vary from region to region, but there are a few basic methods that will guide you through many different Indian dishes.

  • Tadka: Also known as bagna or chownk, this method involves tempering spices in hot oil or ghee. It usually involves at least two or three ingredients, like mustard seeds and bay leaves.
  • Bhunano (also spelled Bhunao): This method involves sauteing and stir-frying ingredients at low heat until the food loses its moisture and caramelizes. You need to stir constantly to make sure the food doesn’t burn. Butter chicken is often cooked using this technique.
  • Dum: This method involves cooking food on low heat using steam trapped inside the pot or pan. Unlike steaming, you don’t have to add any extra water. This technique is often used for biryani.
  • Bhapa: South Indian idlis and Gujarati dhoklas use this technique, which involves steaming food pot-in-pot. A perforated utensil is placed inside a pot, and water is used to steam it.

Staple Indian Ingredients

You’ll find basmati rice and chapati flour (finely milled wholewheat flour) in bulk in almost any Indian kitchen, and they’re great staple ingredients if you like to cook Indian food. Many vegetarian Indian dishes also rely heavily on beans and lentils (dal), so you’ll want to stock your pantry with varieties like kidney beans, pigeon pea lentils, yellow lentils and green gram (mung), ideally both whole and split. While they’re not essential, you might find rice flour and chickpea flour useful as well, especially when it comes to South Indian dishes. 

Of course, no Indian meal is complete—or even started, for that matter—without a healthy dose of herbs and spices. Several of these, like mustard seeds, caraway seeds, cumin seeds, curry leaves, coriander seeds, cardamom, cloves and bay leaves, are used in tadka, or tempering, which is the beginning of many recipes. Infusing the spices into the hot oil or clarified butter lends a complex flavor to the whole dish.

Herbs and spices are also often used in cooking for their healing properties. For example, mustard seeds are thought to have anti-inflammatory properties, while cloves are high in antioxidants.

So break out your favorite Indian cookbook and get started—you’ll never have to order in another biryani again!

Get Started with These Classic Indian Dishes
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flavor into the gravy.
indian main dishes UNITED STATES - NOVEMBER 19: Spicy keema curry is on the menu at Indigo restaurant in Northeast, November 19, 2014. (Photo By Tom Williams/CQ Roll Call)

Keema Matar

Another delicious dish attributed to the Mughals, keema matar translates to "mince with peas." Mutton is often used, though goat may also be substituted. The mince and peas are stir-fried with ghee in a tomato, onion and garlic gravy flavored with cinnamon, cardamom, cumin seeds, peppercorns and bay leaves, creating a deliciously rich dish that goes great with roti or naan.
indian main dishes Cauliflower Potato Curry in a Bowl - Popular Indian Curry Aloo Gobi

Aloo Gobi

Aloo gobi, which literally translates to potatoes and cauliflower, is a popular vegetarian dish in North India, with regional variants across the country. This light, healthy dish is fully vegan and gets its signature yellow color and delicious flavor from a mixture of cumin seeds, turmeric, dried mango powder, red chili powder, garam masala and coriander powder. In some regions, tomatoes, onions and ginger-garlic paste are added for more flavor. This dry preparation is usually paired with roti. We bet you'll love these air-fryer Indian recipes.
indian main dishes Indian food, Naan and Palak Paneer curry dish. Palak paneer is prepared using spinach and paneer (indian cheese), it is a popular Indian meal.

Palak Paneer

North Indian vegetarian cusine relies often on paneer, or Indian cottage cheese. One of the most popular Indian main dishes involves dunking the creamy cubes into a rich spinach (palak) gravy. The spinach is boiled and pureed, then mixed with tomatoes, garlic and onions before being spiced with chilis, red chili powder, garam masala, turmeric and kasuri methi (dried fenugreek leaves). Some versions also add heavy cream, though this can be skipped. Palak paneer can be served with roti, naan, parantha, makki di roti (unleavened cornmeal bread) or even spooned over rice.
Malai Kofta Is A Mughlai Speciality Dish Made With Deep Fried Potato Paneer Balls Simmered In Spiced Onion Tomato Gravy.

Malai Kofta

You've heard of meatballs. Now prepare to meet kofta! In North Indian cuisine, kofta refers to deep fried balls made from vegetables or meat. This dish is made by rolling balls of potato and paneer (Indian cottage cheese) with cashews, raisins, cornstarch and spices and frying them. Then, the balls are dunked in a velvety gravy made of tomatoes, onions, garlic, ginger and green chili, which is cooked with bay leaves, cinnamon, green cardamom, cloves and caraway seeds, with heavy cream added at the end. The preparation is best eaten with garlic naan.
indian main dishes Raan, Slow Cooked Lamb Leg, At Bukhara, A Traditional North

Lamb Raan

Lamb raan or roast leg of lamb has a rich history—legend has it that it was once served to Alexander the Great by King Paurava, the monarch he dethroned, as a gesture of friendship. Most popular in North India, this dish needs to be started at least a day in advance. Spices like cumin, coriander seeds, peppercorns and cardamom are ground together (use a pestle and mortar for authenticity) before being added to a marinade of yogurt, almonds, lemon juice and even more spices. The lamb is marinated overnight, then roasted low and slow the next day. This is best served with naan and a mint and yogurt chutney.
indian main dishes A large plate filled of chicken tandoori, served in a local food stall in Shimla, Himachal Pradesh, India.

Tandoori Chicken

Nothing beats the smoky, deep flavor of a good tandoori chicken. Traditionally made by marinating chicken thighs in yogurt and tandoori spices, then roasting it in a tandoor, this dish also traces its origins back to Punjab and Kundan Lal Gujral (of butter chicken fame). Its signature red color comes from red chili powder or often, Kashmiri red chilis. Don't have a tandoor? You can also make this on the grill or in a sheet pan!
indian main dishes Chicken Jalfrezi And Basmati Rice Served In Plate On Table

Chicken Jalfrezi

Chicken jalfrezi traces its origins to the eastern state of West Bengal, though some say it more likely came from the Indian cuisine served in Britain. The ingredients are stir-fried, a technique that was likely picked up from Bengal's Chinese immigrant population. The chicken and red peppers are spiced with turmeric, ground cumin and coriander, garam masala and plenty of chilis and chili powder, then dunked into a spiced gravy made with onions, tomatoes and garlic. It is best served with a pot of steaming basmati rice. Take a look at these other recipes using garam masala.
indian main dishes Food Network & Cooking Channel New York City Wine & Food Festival Presented By Coca Cola Street Eats Hosted By Ghetto Gastro

Kati Rolls

Originating from the city of Kolkata in West Bengal, kati rolls are a street food that can be turned into a light main dish. In their original form, they were made by wrapping a parantha around a spiced kebab (meat cube) that had just come off the skewer (the word kati means "stick"), which was slathered in coriander chutney. The dish has now evolved to include egg, paneer and various vegetables as a filling.
indian main dishes Spicy Salmon fish head curry with onion and eggplant on white wooden table

Maccher Jhol

The coastal eastern region is full of wonderful seafood dishes, including maccher jhol (fish stew) which is popular in West Bengal and Orissa. The stew is thickened with potatoes and spiced with turmeric, red chili powder, coriander powder, cumin seeds, bay leaves and ginger-garlic paste cooked in mustard oil. For the true Bengali experience, serve this over rice.
Healthy Homemade Fried Rice

Jadoh

Northeastern cuisine in India (in the seven sister states of Meghalaya, Assam, Tripura, Arunchal Pradesh, Manipur, Mizoram and Nagaland, plus Sikkim) is made up of simple, light fare, but often uses ingredients that are hard to find outside the region, such as fermented fish and axone (fermented soybean paste). Jadoh from Meghalaya, a dish closely resembling khichdi (a rice and lentil preparation), is a notable exception. Unlike khichdi, jadoh uses meat, usually luxuriously fatty pork, mixed with rice and spices such as bay leaves, turmeric, ginger paste and ground black pepper, resulting in a warm, comforting dish.
indian main dishes Dumpling And Chili Oil Served In Bowls On Wooden Table

Momos

The mountainous north and northeast states of India are heavily influenced by neighboring Tibet, Bhutan and China, which has resulted in momos becoming incredibly popular here. The soft steamed dumplings are often stuffed with meat such as chicken, goat, pork or even yak, or vegetables like cabbage and carrots, and served alongside a spicy schezwan chutney. Momos are most popular in the northeastern state of Sikkim and the district of Darjeeling in West Bengal, though you can also find them in Assam, Manipur and the neighboring country of Nepal. They are sometimes filled with soup, in which case they are eaten whole and burst with delicious savory liquid when bitten.
indian main dishes Vegetable Egg Thukpa, Nepal Traditional Food

Thukpa

Though originally from eastern Tibet, the warm comfort of thukpa (noodle soup) is popular in the cold northeast states of Arunachal Pradesh and Sikkim, the districts of Kalimpong and Darjeeling in West Bengal, as well as the northern regions of Ladakh and Himachal Pradesh. Usually made with meat like chicken or vegetables like green onion, beans and carrots, the flavorful broth uses ginger, garlic and soy sauce for its signature taste. However, in some regions, cumin, garam masala and other quintessentially Indian spices may also be added.
indian main dishes Litti Bihari Food Backed In Coal Fire, India

Litti Choka

Originating in the eastern states of Bihar and Jharkhand, litti choka is a simple yet incredibly satisfying dish that was originally part of the staple diet in the region. It consists of a dough ball (the litti) made from whole wheat flour, stuffed with gram flour, pulses, and herbs and spices like cumin seeds, fennel seeds, ajwain (nigella seeds), ginger and garlic, which is then roasted over coal or wood and tossed with generous amounts of ghee. This is paired with a smoky choka (relish), which may be baingan bharta (roasted minced eggplant) or aloo bharta (spiced potato mash), for a full, delicious meal.
indian main dishes Undhiyu Is A Gujarati Mixed Vegetable Dish, Specialty Of Surat, India. Served In A Bowl With Or Without Poori

Undhiyu

The famously vegetarian-heavy western state of Gujurat thrives on undhiyu, its signature mixed vegetable preparation. The first half of the word, undhu, means upside-down, and refers to the traditional method of cooking it upside down in earthen pots. Vegetables typically used include green beans, purple yams, eggplants, potatoes and plantain, with muthia (spiced chickpea flour dumplings). Some variants include a masala (spice mix) consisting of coconut and peanuts stuffed into the vegetables. A dry curry paste made from cilantro leaves, ginger, garlic, green chili pepper and sugar gives it its flavor, and permeates the mixture as it is slow-cooked. (No earthen pots available? A pressure cooker works just fine).
Healthy Butternut Squash And Beans Curry

Batata Nu Shaak

This simple potato dish from Gujarat can be made dry or with a gravy, and is spiced with a mixture of mustard seeds, curry leaves, turmeric, Kashmiri red chili powder, coriander powder, cumin powder and asafoetida (hing). Ginger and green chilis lend plenty of flavor, and are tempered by sugar, a popular ingredient in Gujarati dishes. This is best paired with thepla (flatbreads with fenugreek leaves).
indian main dishes Rajasthani Laal Maas, lamb curry cooked in masalas and red chillies, served in a silver bowl in Udaipur, India

Laal Maas

If you're looking for some fire, laal maas is the way to go. Translating to "red mutton," this fiery curry from the western desert state of Rajasthan uses tender browned mutton or lamb chunks flavored with onion, garlic, ginger and green chilis, and spiced with cumin seeds, coriander seeds, black and green cardamom, black pepper and of course, lots of red chilis! This is best paired with roti or bajre ki roti (a thick bread made from pearl millet).
indian main dishes dal Baati Churma - A Unique traditional dish of Rajasthan in India

Dal Baati Churma

This meal is a mainstay from wartime in the western state of Rajasthan, and while it might take a while to make, the end result is well worth it. Dal (lentils) is a staple of the vegetarian diet, and in this dish, chana dal (split Bengal gram), tuvar dal (arhar) and urad dal (black lentils) are mixed into tomatoes, onions and garlic, and spiced with bay leaves, cloves, cumin seeds, turmeric, garam masala and more Indian spices. This is eaten with baati, baked spiced whole wheat and semolina balls. Historically, soldiers left this underground to bake in the sun and ate them upon their return. Churma, a dish made from whole wheat flour and semolina with cardamom and sugar, rounds off the meal to make a sweet and savory delight.
indian main dishes Parsi Brown Rice With Dhansak

Dhansak

Dhansak comes from the Parsi communities based in the western states of Gujarat and Maharastra, which trace their lineage to Iran. Usually made on special occasions, dhansak consists of goat or mutton meat cooked with vegetables and lentils. Traditionally, four lentils are used—arhar dal, Bengal gram, red masoor dal and brown masoor dal—along with vegetables such as potatoes, tomatoes, brinjal and pumpkin. These are slow cooked into a stew spiced with cinnamon, cardamom, coriander seeds, cumin seeds, cloves, nutmeg and more spices, and served alongside caramelized rice.
Indian Style Pav Bhaji Bread

Pav Bhaji

Pav bhaji originated in the western state of Maharashtra and is a popular street food, especially in the city of Mumbai. In this dish, the bhaji is a mixture of mashed potatoes, peas and other vegetables in a tomato-based gravy, spiced with cinnamon, cardamom, cloves, red chilis, coriander seeds, fennel and peppercorns. The spice mixture can easily be found in Indian stores, and is usually labeled pav bhaji masala. Pav is a soft Indian roll, though this tasty gravy can be paired with any soft roll (toast it on a pan with plenty of butter for authenticity).
indian main dishes Indian Food Chicken Vindaloo Curry Over Basmati Rice

Vindaloo

Hailing from the coastal state of Goa and the surrounding area's Konkan coast, vindaloo is credited to the Portuguese who colonized the area. Based on the dish carne de vinha d'alhos (meat with garlic and vinegar), vindaloo is traditionally made by marinating pork in wine vinegar much like the original. While vindaloo is popular in British curry houses, the UK version differs vastly from the one found in a Goan beachside shack. The authentic Indian version incorporates spices native to the area, and chilis, tamarind, black pepper, cinnamon and cardamom all make an appearance, alongside cumin seeds, poppy seeds and turmeric.
indian main dishes Delicious South Indian Food Bisi Bele Bath

Bisi Bele Bath

Made in the south Indian state of Karnataka, bisi bele bath is a spicy, hearty dish made by cooking rice, lentils and vegetables together. Incorporating rice and split pigeon peas with vegetables like peas, carrots and beans, it is usually spiced with red chili, cinnamon, cloves, cumin seeds, fenugreek seeds and a variety of other spices (a mix can usually be found in your local Indian store). Don't forget tamarind for that zing!
indian main dishes Rasam or chaaru or saaru is a south indian tradiotional soup, prepared using tamarind juice with the addition of tomato, chili, pepper, cumin and other spices as seasonings. Garnished with coriander leaves.It is eaten with rice or separately as a spicy soup. Part of the meal in south indian states of Tamil Nadu, Andra and Karnataka.

Rasam

If you're looking to fight off the cold weather chill, look no further than rasam. This spicy-sweet preparation has a soup-like consistency and gets tons of zing from tamarind and plenty of heat and flavor from a mixture of garlic, black pepper, chili pepper, cumin, jaggery, lemon and tomato. Steamed lentils and vegetables can also be added to make the dish a little heartier. If you're looking to save time, head down to your local Indian store and grab a box of rasam powder!
indian main dishes Avial South Indian Vegetable Side Dish

Avial

Avial is a deliciously creamy, vegetable-packed dish hailing from the south Indian state of Kerala, though it is popular in Karnataka and Tamil Nadu as well. It traditionally incorporates a variety of vegetables native to the area like carrots, unripe plantains, green beans, pumpkin and unripe mangoes, as well as drumsticks (better known as moringa), though you can use whatever vegetables you have on hand. Cooked in coconut oil, flavored generously with curry leaves and served in a gravy of grated coconut and yogurt, this tasty preparation is usually served with rice.

The post A Beginner’s Guide to Indian Cooking appeared first on Taste of Home.



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