Indian Kitchen – Essential Products
Indian Kitchen – The right tools and ingredients are essential for creating the rich and diverse flavors that characterize Indian cuisine.
Indian Kitchen Cookware –
- Pressure Cooker:
- A must-have in Indian kitchens, the pressure cooker quickly cooks lentils, beans, rice, and grains while preserving nutrients. It’s efficient and comes in various sizes with modern safety features.
Example: Cook dal (lentil soup), chana masala (chickpea curry), or biryani (spiced rice dish) quickly and efficiently.
- Tawa (Griddle):
- This flat or slightly curved griddle is essential for making Indian flatbreads like chapatis, parathas, and dosas. Available in cast iron or non-stick, it ensures even cooking and perfect breads.
Example: Prepare chapatis (whole wheat flatbreads), parathas (stuffed flatbreads), or dosa (fermented rice and lentil crepes).
- Kadhai (Wok):
- Ideal for deep frying, sautéing, and stir-frying, the kadhai’s deep, rounded shape ensures even heat distribution. Perfect for curries and vegetables, it comes in traditional cast iron or stainless steel and modern non-stick options.
Example: Make pakoras (vegetable fritters), bhindi masala (spicy okra), or chicken curry.
- Heavy-Bottomed Pan:
- This pan is crucial for slow-cooking curries and gravies. Its thick base prevents food from sticking and ensures even cooking, making it perfect for dishes that need long simmering to develop rich flavors.
Example: Slow-cook butter chicken, paneer tikka masala, or dal makhani (creamy lentil stew).
Utensils
- Rolling Pin (Belan) and Board (Chakla): Buy
- Used together to roll out dough for breads like chapatis, puris, and parathas. The belan is usually wooden, and the chakla can be wood, marble, or stone for a smooth rolling surface.
Example: Roll out dough for chapatis, puris (deep-fried bread), or parathas.
- Mortar and Pestle: Buy
- Great for grinding fresh spices and making pastes. Made of stone, marble, or metal, it crushes ingredients better than electric grinders, enhancing flavor.
Example: Grind fresh spices for garam masala, make ginger-garlic paste, or crush mint leaves for chutney.
- Spice Box (Masala Dabba): Buy
- Keeps commonly used spices organized and accessible. This box has individual containers for different spices, ensuring they stay fresh and ready for use.
Example: Keep spices like turmeric, cumin, coriander, garam masala, and red chili powder handy for making dishes like aloo gobi (potato and cauliflower curry) or sambar (South Indian lentil stew).
- Skimmer (Jhara):
- Perfect for deep frying, this tool removes fried items from hot oil safely. Its flat, perforated surface and long handle also make it useful for skimming impurities from broths and soups.
Example: Use it to fry and remove samosas (savory pastries), jalebis (sweet spirals), or vadas (savory doughnuts) from hot oil.
Appliances
- Mixer Grinder/Blender: Buy
- Versatile and essential for grinding spices, making pastes, and blending chutneys. It comes with different jars and blades for various tasks, powered by a strong motor for smooth processing.
Example: Grind spices for masalas, make smooth chutneys, or blend batter for idlis (steamed rice cakes).
- Rice Cooker: Buy
- Makes cooking rice easy and perfect every time. Some models also steam and slow cook, adding versatility to this appliance.
Example: Cook perfect fluffy rice, pulao (spiced rice), or steamed vegetables.
- Immersion Blender: Buy
- Handy for pureeing soups, sauces, and making smoothies. Its compact design allows for direct use in pots and containers, making blending tasks quick and easy.
Example: Puree tomato soup, blend dals for a smooth texture, or make smoothies.
- Toaster/Grill: Buy
- Useful for making sandwiches and grilling vegetables or meats. With adjustable temperature settings and interchangeable plates, it’s a convenient addition to any kitchen.
Example: Toast sandwiches, grill paneer tikka, or make grilled vegetables.
