6 Essential Healthy Ingredients Used In India Vegetarian Recipes

Indian food is considered by many as a sensory delight, with its tempting aromas, bright colors and strong, spicy flavors. All chefs and cooks agree on one thing: that the key to preparing an Indian recipe successfully is using the right spices in the right quantity. This process involves something which is known as “blooming”.  This is just cooking the spices in oil or clarified butter (also known as ghee), to bring out the flavor of the spices. 

One thing that every cook aspiring to go Indian needs to know is that every dish has a few essential ingredients. Here are some of them:

1. Cumin: This strong and aromatic spice, which forms the mainstay of every Indian vegetarian recipes, is known for its bitter flavor. It adds warmth and earthiness to every dish it goes into.
2. Coriander: Both the parts of the coriander plant, the seeds and the leaves are used in Indian dishes. They are used as a spice in curries or as a garnish in dals. It is described as having a “nutty and fruity” flavor and is an essential component in garam masala.
3. Mustard: There are a variety of mustard seeds, the most common being black and brown mustard seeds. In Indian vegetarian recipes, they are tossed into some hot oil until they split. This releases their rich, spicy flavor. It is advisable to store them in cool and dark spaces in an air-tight container.
4. Ginger: This spice imparts a peppery flavor to dishes. The only difficulty with it is that it gets spoiled when exposed to room temperature, so it is suggested that it be stored in the freezer at all times. It is not only used in curries, but also in beverages such as tea.
5. Garam masala: The garam masala is a blend of spices consisting of a variety of ingredients, ranging from dried chilli peppers to garlic, depending upon the region of India. It is added to the dish only later in the prep process to avoid bitterness from setting in. The garam masala also gives the dish a strong aroma.
6. Cinnamon: This spice adds an earthy sweetness to food and is thus used more in desserts and sweets. There are two varieties of this spice, the Ceylon cinnamon and Cassia. It is the former, which is more authentic, and thus more expensive. It is reputed for the health benefits it offers: lowered cholesterol and stabilized blood sugar levels.

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Created on Dec 12th 2018 02:13. Viewed 460 times.

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