Indian food is centred on spices. They have the ability to turn a bland dish into a delectable dinner, but they may also spoil the flavour of Indian food if not utilised correctly. Some individuals are daunted by the notion of cooking Indian cuisine because of the intricacies of Indian spices and how they work. So, in order to make this process easier for you, in this piece, we’ll learn everything there is to know about spices, including their flavours, when and how to use Indian spices in your cooking, and so on. Essentially, it will be a crash course in Indian spices. You can also buy spices online in India also.
So, without further ado, let’s dive right in.
Dabba Masala:
If you appreciate Indian food, you should know that Masala Dabbas are the foundation, and we can say that this container holds the secret to mastering the Indian-style cooking process. These Indian spices are normally sold whole or ground, but they can also be diced, roasted, sautéed, or even fried. The following are the most prevalent spices included in our Masala Dabba:
- Turmeric Powder
- Chili Powder
- Coriander Seeds
- Cumin Seeds
- Mustard Seeds
- Salt
- Asafoetida
Here are some common questions that spice newbies have, which we’ll try to answer:
What are the various spice-cooking techniques?
Various spices are added to a single Indian recipe to bring out the original flavours of the dish when preparing Indian cuisine. The flavour and zest of the cuisine are also affected by the order in which these spices are applied. As a result, the way these spices are cooked is crucial to the final result. The following are some of the most common spice-based cooking techniques used in Indian cookery:
- Tempering-Tadka (Tadka vali Dal)
- Frying- Talna
- Sauteing- Bhunna
- Roasting-Tandoori (Tandoori Paneer)
- Steaming-Dum (Dum Alloo)
These techniques are used to cook a variety of well-known foods, and each approach imparts a distinct flavour to the dish.
When Should You Use Which Spice?
1- Color-enhancing spices, such as turmeric and chilli powder
2- Heat-inducing spices: chilli powder, black pepper
3- Curry thickening spices: coriander powder, cumin powder
4- Spices that add aroma- Fennel Seeds, Cardamom, Asafoetida, Cinnamon, Cloves, Bay leaves, Or you can also add the blended spices like Kitchen King Masala, Chat Masala, Curry Powder, Garam Masala in India etc.
5- Spices that gives finishing touches- Mustard Seeds, Cumin Seeds, Fenugreek Seeds, Dry Fenugreek Leaves.
How Should Spices Be Stored?
Although spices do not spoil as quickly as dairy products, they do lose their potency over time, resulting in a loss of flavour. Spices that are ground lose their flavour faster than whole spices. So, in order to keep the spices fresh for as long as possible, you must store them properly. Here are a few things to think about when preserving your spices:
- To keep the zest and colour of the spices for longer, store them in dry containers.
- To prevent light from fading the colour, changing the flavour, and maturing the spices faster, store them in an opaque jar.
- Heat and light both degrade the flavour of spices and cause them to lose their effectiveness fast; therefore, it is preferable to keep spices away from them.
- Keeping an eye on the spices on a daily basis is also a smart idea. This will protect them from spoiling and also reduce spice waste to a large extent.
- Because some spices, such as asafoetida, have a strong and intense aroma that can infuse other spices, they should be kept separate.
- Spices should still be kept in separate containers, whole and freshly ground.
- Make sure the spices are pure and unadulterated when you buy them so they will keep longer and taste better.
Tampering
When working with spices, the term “tampering” comes up frequently, but do you know what it means and how it’s done? Tempering, also known as tadka, vaghar, or chhonk, is an Indian method of releasing essential oils from whole or crushed spices by sizzling them in oil or ghee. This enhanced oil enhances and aromatizes the spice’s flavour. Tadka can be added to the meal at any point throughout the cooking process.Understanding the complicated nature of spices can be difficult at first, but once you get the hang of it, it’s a breeze.
The Roopak Masala’s Online Masala Store sells fresh, unadulterated, and 100 percent authentic spices.
