Top 9 Tips for Indian Cooking Basics

Delving into Indian cuisine might seem daunting for newcomers, but if I’ve managed it, so can you! Every cuisine comes with its own vocabulary, a series of steps, and key ingredients that every chef eventually masters, and Indian cuisine is no exception.

Indian cuisine is a splendid tapestry of flavors, colors, and aromas, deeply rooted in the country’s diverse culture, history, and geography. It’s characterized by its ingenious use of a wide array of spices, including cumin, coriander, cardamom, and turmeric, each dish telling a story of regional traditions. From the rich, creamy curries of the north to the fiery, spice-laden treats of the south, Indian cuisine offers a kaleidoscope of tastes and textures. Techniques like slow cooking and tempering (tadka) elevate simple ingredients into culinary masterpieces. Vegetarian dishes are as celebrated as meat-based ones, showcasing the versatility and inclusive nature of Indian cooking. This cuisine is not just food; it’s an experience, inviting one to explore the depths of flavor and the essence of India itself.

Top 9 Tips for Mastering Indian Cuisine

Unlock the secrets of Indian cooking, and you’ll be whipping up absolutely stunning dishes in no time. Plus, there’s ample opportunity to personalize Indian recipes to your taste preferences. As you grow more adept, you’ll find which spices you love and how to tweak them to perfection.

Indian Cooking Techniques

Before you start cooking, here are my top nine tips, in order of importance, for Indian cuisine:

Prep Your Ingredients

Like with French and Chinese cooking, having all your ingredients ready and prepped (mise en place) is crucial. Indian cooking involves quick steps, so having everything at hand prevents burning and the need to start over.

Keep Water Handy

When building a masala or curry, if onions, garlic, or tomatoes start sticking, or if ground spices are added and begin to stick, a quick splash of water, not oil, can loosen them up.
Don’t Rush Spices and Aromatics: The cooking stage of onions varies with each dish, from translucent for lighter meats to caramelized for richer flavors. Adding ground spices to hot oil is a no-go as they’ll burn.

Look for Oil Separation

This might be new to non-Indian cooks, but it’s a clear indicator that the masala is well-cooked, signaling that the base flavor balance is achieved.
Familiarize Yourself with Basic Ingredients: Start with the basics in your pantry. Indian cuisine often requires few specialized tools, and you likely already have many essential spices.

Prep Shortcut Essentials

Regularly cooking Indian food? Save time by prepping and possibly freezing ginger-garlic paste and other essentials. Having purees ready can be a lifesaver.

Prep Beans and Lentils

Cleaning, rinsing, and soaking help remove impurities, reduce gassiness, and shorten cooking times.

Master Rice Cooking

Rice is versatile and beloved. Learn to cook it in a pressure cooker or with a simple stove-top method for perfect results every time.

Learn Tadka/Tempering

A quick sauté of spices in hot oil or ghee adds a burst of flavor, either at the beginning or end of cooking.

Start Small

If you’re new, consider halving recipes to minimize waste if the result isn’t to your liking. However, many Indian dishes freeze well for future meals.
Beginner-Friendly Indian Dishes

Start simple

While many popular Indian dishes might seem complex, opt for straightforward recipes like vegetable stews or a weeknight beef keema curry (substitute with chicken, turkey, or tofu as needed). These dishes offer a gentle introduction to Indian cooking’s rich flavors and techniques.

How can I get better at cooking Indian food?

Improving your skills in cooking Indian food is a delightful journey that combines learning, experimentation, and tasting. Start by familiarizing yourself with the basic spices and ingredients that form the backbone of Indian cuisine, such as cumin, coriander, turmeric, and ginger. Practice making staple dishes like dal (lentil soup) or simple curries to get comfortable with the cooking techniques and flavor profiles. Watching cooking videos, following recipes from authentic Indian cookbooks, or attending a cooking class can also provide valuable insights. Don’t shy away from experimenting with spices and adjusting them to suit your taste preferences. Remember, practice and patience are key—each attempt brings you closer to mastering the rich and diverse world of Indian cooking. Enjoy the process and the delicious outcomes!

What is the most important ingredient in Indian food?

The cornerstone of Indian cuisine is its diverse array of spices, making it challenging to pinpoint just one as the most important. However, if there’s one spice that stands out for its ubiquity and profound impact on the flavor profiles of countless dishes, it’s cumin. Cumin seeds, both in their whole form and ground into powder, are essential in Indian cooking, offering a distinctive warm, earthy note that serves as the base for various spice blends, including garam masala. Its versatility and ability to complement other spices underscore its pivotal role in creating the complex and aromatic dishes that define Indian cuisine.

What makes Indian food so flavorful?

Indian food owes its rich flavors to the masterful use of a wide variety of spices and herbs, each contributing its unique aroma, taste, and color to dishes. Spices like turmeric, cumin, coriander, cardamom, and garam masala are staples, often used in meticulously balanced blends that have been perfected over centuries. The cooking techniques, such as tempering (tadka), where spices are roasted in hot oil to release their essential oils, further enhance the depth and complexity of flavors. Additionally, the layering of ingredients and slow-cooking methods allow for the melding of flavors, creating dishes that are vibrant, aromatic, and deeply satisfying.

Which is the tastiest Indian food?

Identifying the tastiest Indian food is subjective, as India’s culinary landscape is incredibly diverse, with each region offering dishes that reflect its unique flavors and traditions. However, one universally celebrated dish is Butter Chicken (Murgh Makhani). Originating from Delhi, this dish is beloved for its creamy, tomato-based sauce infused with aromatic spices like garam masala, ginger, and garlic, enveloping tender pieces of marinated chicken. The richness of the gravy, combined with the subtle heat from the spices and the slight sweetness, makes Butter Chicken a quintessential representation of Indian cuisine’s ability to balance flavors, making it a favorite among many.

What is the secret ingredient in Indian food?

The “secret ingredient” in Indian food isn’t a single spice or magical component but rather the art of blending and balancing a wide array of spices and herbs. This mastery over spice combinations—each adding its unique flavor, aroma, and color—is what truly defines Indian cuisine. Techniques like tempering (tadka), where spices are heated in oil or ghee to release their full bouquet of aromas, and the layering of ingredients during cooking, contribute significantly to the depth and complexity of flavors. If one were to highlight a single unifying element, it might be the love and tradition that goes into preparing each dish, reflecting the rich cultural heritage of India.

Happy cooking, and enjoy the journey into the vibrant world of Indian cuisine!

Indian Spices, Seasonings & Herbs
Indian Cooking Basics
All About Tadka – The Indian Tempering
Breakfast
Snacks
Salads & Chutneys
Vegetarian Recipes
Butter Chicken Recipe
Tandoori Chicken Recipe
Chicken Masala Recipe
Desserts
Festival Dishes
Kerala Recipes
Goan Recipes
Chicken Tikka Recipe
Roast Chicken Recipe
Chicken Moglai Recipe
Indian Curry Chicken