Indian cooking styles are incredibly varied and span the country’s history. From ancient times, various regional cuisines have developed over time due to local ingredients, flavors, and cooking techniques. This has resulted in a vast array of Indian cooking styles ranging from mild to spicy and vegetarian to non-vegetarian.
Common Ingredients and Flavors in Indian Cuisine
Indian cuisine is known for its complex blend of spices, herbs, vegetables, and dairy. These are used to create a wide variety of flavors ranging from mild to spicy.
The most common flavors used in Indian cooking are:
- sweet-sour combination of spices (cinnamon and cloves)
- smoky notes (black pepper and other spices)
- tangy taste (think of tamarind)
- pungent aromas (like garam masala)
- the nuttiness from sesame seeds
- hotness provided by chilies
- the unbelievable aroma and flavor of saffron
Other widely used ingredients when you cook Indian food include:
- pulses (lentils and split peas)
- legumes (kidney beans and chickpeas)
- nuts (cashews and almonds)
- grains (wheat or rice flour)
- fresh vegetables (tomatoes or potatoes)
- dairy products (milk or ghee)
- fruits (mangoes or bananas)
- coconut milk for curries
With these varied ingredients available to Indians throughout the country’s many regions comes a wide selection of dishes unique to each state’s local traditions. From the fiery vindaloo curries of Goa to the creamy kormas of Kashmir or the spicy biryani found in Hyderabad – Indian cuisine is an ever-evolving mix of flavors that tantalize all taste buds.
Culinary curiosity
India was a vegetarian haven long before the Vedic times due to its vast abundance of food sources – cereals, pulses, oilseeds, vegetables, and fruits. As a result, the variety available in this land is unparalleled by any other country – truly making it the ‘land of milk and honey.’
Indian Spices
Indian cuisine is known for its vibrant, unmistakable use of spices. Every region has its own unique flavors, and many dishes feature a medley of fragrant spices that lend warmth and depth to the meal. From welcome drinks like jaljeera to savory snacks and entrees to sweet desserts like cardamom-spiced treats, India’s culinary landscape is an absolute delight!
Many traditional spice mixes can include up to five components, often blended with ten or more varieties. Here are the most common Indian spices:
- cloves
- coriander
- mint
- cardamom
- chili pepper
- ginger
- cumin
- nutmeg
- rose petal essence
- fenugreek
- cinnamon
- mustard seeds
- curry powder
Containing nutmeg, cardamom, cinnamon, and clove as its base ingredients, Garam masala is an aromatic spice blend that can be adapted with additional seasonings depending on regional taste or personal preference.
Different Regional Cuisines in India
Given that India is the second-most populous country in the world, it’s no surprise that hundreds of cultures over the centuries have influenced its cuisine. This has resulted in a rich and diverse array of regional cuisines heavily reliant on local ingredients and flavors.
Some of the most popular regional cuisines align with the four cardinal points.
North Indian Cuisine
Representing a significant presence in global cuisine, Northern Indian dishes display a powerful Mughal influence. What’s more, this type of cooking is distinguished by its high reliance on dairy ingredients. In foods from Northern India, people use milk, a cheese called paneer, clarified butter called ghee, and yogurt. In addition, the clay ovens known as tandoors, which are commonplace in the North, lend an unparalleled smoky essence to dishes like Tandoori Chicken and Naan bread.
Highlights of North Indian Cuisine
- Samosas, fried pastries stuffed with savory potatoes and sometimes meat, are a classic Northern delight.
- Korma is an aromatic curry made with coconut milk or yogurt and flavored with cumin, coriander, and slivers of cashews or almonds. It can be enjoyed as a meat-based dish using chicken, lamb, or beef.
- Dal or Paneer Makhani is a succulent vegetarian delight, cooked in a luscious sauce of tomatoes, onions, mango powder, and garam masala for an appetizingly aromatic finish.
- Saag Paneer and Palak Paneer are two dishes that resemble each other in their core ingredients: spinach, cream, and paneer. However, they differ slightly regarding the spices used and the dish’s consistency.
South Indian Cuisine
Not many people are familiar with South Indian cuisine, yet it’s very different from other regions. The curries in this area have a unique texture – some are drier, while others come with soupy or stew-like textures.
Highlights of South Indian Cuisine
- Poriyals are savory, spiced-up vegetarian dishes that add flavor and texture to your rice meal.
- Sambars are aromatic, tamarind-infused stews composed of peas and several veggies. While not as thick as curries from other regions, these savory broths have a heartier consistency than rasam.
- Rasams are soups-like, usually crafted with a medley of flavorful ingredients such as tomato, tamarind, and spices.
- Akin to curries from other cultures, Kootus feature a smooth consistency derived from boiled lentils.
- Deliciously delightful, uttapams are savory pancakes with an irresistible combination of golden-brown crispness and cloud-like softness, all topped off with fresh vegetables.
- If you’re looking for a tasty way to complete your Indian-inspired dish, look no further than pappadams spiced with peppercorns! This classic flatbread is the perfect accompaniment to curry or rice dishes.
- Idli, a delectable south Indian delicacy traditionally enjoyed for breakfast, is an aromatic steamed cake made from fermented mixtures of rice and lentils. Lightly crisp on the outside yet chewable and spongy within.
West Indian Cuisine
The flavors and ingredients of Western Indian cuisine vary significantly depending on the geographical area, specifically Maharashtra, Gujarat, and Goa. Each region has a unique history that is reflected in its culinary traditions.
Maharashtra
The distinct coastal location gives rise to a culinary culture around fish and coconut milk. Sweet dishes such as Puran poli and holige are popular here.
Gujarat
Gujarati cuisine is renowned for its vegetarian dishes, with a subtle sweetness inspired by Chinese recipes. This region’s dry climate and small-sized vegetables make it particularly well-known for its flavorful chutneys.
Goa
As an important trade port and a colony of Portugal, Goa has developed a delectable combination of Indian and Portuguese cuisine – a one-of-a-kind gastronomical experience. With greater utilization of pork and beef than in other Indian locales, Goan cuisine is genuinely one-of-a-kind. Additionally, Portuguese influence has incorporated vinegar as an essential component of the area’s signature meals.
Culinary curiosity
Vindaloo is a classic Goan recipe stemming from the Portuguese marinade ‘Vinho de Alho,’ made up of garlic, wine, vinegar, and chilies.
East Indian Cuisine
Delightful dishes from the East are characterized by their use of mustard seeds, poppy seeds, and mustard oil, lending them a mild spiciness. The Eastern world is renowned for its many flavorful dishes, with fish being the main component. But what sets Eastern Indian cuisine apart from the others is its unforgettable desserts – sweet treats you can find in almost any eatery providing Indian fare.
Highlights of East Indian Cuisine
- Rasgulla, a delectable and beloved delicacy, is made of semolina and chenna (cheese curd) balls boiled in delicate sugar syrup.
- Ras malai is a soothing treat, a famous Indian sweet made of cottage cheese balls (also known as chenna or paneer) soaked in thickened, sweetened, and flavored milk.
- Sandesh is a delightful confection crafted with fresh paneer and succulent sugar. This treat is commonly enhanced with aromatic cardamom and saffron for a unique flavor. You can tantalize your taste buds with these tasty paneer balls, traditionally decorated with pistachios, almonds, or crushed pineapple flavors.
Cooking Methods in Indian Food
Here we will take a brief look at some of the most critical cooking methods in India.
Cooking with Indian spices
Spices can quickly become scorched, so prepping all ingredients before cooking is essential. Every spice has its color, aroma, taste, and texture; ensuring that the necessary safety measures are taken before preparation will prevent any loss of nutrients or flavor in just a few precious seconds. For Indian cuisine, the quick layering of spices is integral to creating optimal flavor. In the heat of cooking, cooks don’t have time to search through their spice cabinet for each one, making it all the more critical that they are organized and readily available!
Indian Cooking Tips: Traditional Cooking Techniques Used in Indian Cuisine
Indian cuisine is incredibly diverse, with each regional branch boasting unique dishes and cooking techniques. This culinary variety stems from the vast demographics across this culturally vibrant subcontinent and India’s varying soil types, climate conditions, and local ingredients such as spices, herbs, vegetables, and fruits.
Basic Indian Cooking Techniques
Take your tastebuds for a ride with these Indian cooking techniques that you can recreate in the comfort of your kitchen as if you are dining at an authentic Indian restaurant!
Tadka
Known as tarka, this cooking method creates a rich and flavorful oil and adds texture to various Indian dishes. This is achieved by tempering the dried spices with heat, allowing their scents and flavors to be released for an even more intense flavor experience when consumed! Heat can bring out the best in spices by transforming some of their flavor molecules into more delicious ones or making them less severe.
When it comes to deep-frying, adding spices when hot oil unlocks their full flavor potential, this potent, heat-absorbing liquid will hold all these savory ingredients in, creating an extra delicious and aromatic meal!
Dum
“Dum cooking” involves simmering ingredients in a sealed container, allowing them to cook in their juices. Through this method, your dishes will be infused with intense flavor and remain as moist as possible. It’s no wonder it has been used since ancient times — its results are truly remarkable!
Bhunao
Bhunao is a blend of sautéing, stir-frying, and stewing. The heat must remain between medium and high while adding liquids such as water or yogurt. Constant stirring ensures none of your ingredients stick to the bottom of your cooking utensil, resulting in perfectly cooked dishes every time!
Dhungar
For an exquisite smoky-butter flavor in your dishes, look no further than the dhungar method of Indian cuisine. This technique combines ghee (clarified butter) and hot coals in a lidded pot, creating a smoking chamber that will leave you with a unique finishing touch to any meal!
If you want to add rich smoky flavors to your meals with minimal effort, this ancient Indian smoking technique is the perfect solution. It’s easy and straightforward—place hot charcoal nestled in an onion shell filled with ghee and let it do its magic! After just a few minutes of cooking, you’ll have perfectly smoked-flavored meats that can’t be beat.
Traditional Indian Cooking Equipment
If you want to truly experience the flavors of India, then learning about its traditional cooking equipment is a must. Of course, you can still enjoy Indian cuisine with typical western kitchen utensils, but why not embrace the rich culture by using what it was meant to use?
If you’re looking to dive into traditional Indian cooking, here’s a helpful guide to get you started with the right equipment! Amazon carries all of these essential items, so shop confidently and start creating delicious meals today.
Jhaara
India is renowned for its many fried goodies, such as bhatures, gulab jamuns, jalebis, kachoris, and pakoras. To fry these snacks or desserts, a jhaara – a metal spoon with tiny holes – must let the oil flow through it while cooking in a kadhai. To make your frying experience easier, try using skimmers that are slightly concave shaped – this will allow you to hold bhature down under hot oil until they puff up or effortlessly scoop up gulab jamuns from the boiling syrup!
Tawa
This flat, disc-shaped frying pan is typically crafted from cast iron, carbon steel, or aluminum and ensures that each side of your bread is perfectly cooked. No more half-baked edges for you – get yourself a tawa today and enjoy crisp results every time. With its perfectly round shape, a tawa distributes heat evenly across its surface. This kitchen essential can even be flipped upside down to provide the same effect as an oven when placed over direct flame.
Kadhai
If your kitchen is missing something, add a kadhai – an Indian wok that stands out from the rest. It has a deeper base than usual, and its flat bottom ensures even heat distribution when cooking– making it perfect for sautéing or frying foods. While you can choose stainless steel or non-stick versions of this traditional cast iron pan, nothing beats keeping up with the seasoning process!
Tadka Pan
Creating a delicious tadka is the art of tempering spices in ghee or oil, usually using a small pan called the Tadka Pan. Depending on where one is from, it can also be referred to as chhonk, phodni, or tadka. This Indian cooking technique is often used with dishes like dals, curd rice, and chutneys which bring out the flavor of these recipes when added to hot oil or ghee! To get perfect results each time, one’s Tadka Pan must be round and deep enough for all the spices to fully submerge into the sizzlingly hot oil.
Culinary curiosity: Oil in Indian Recipes
Nothing says Indian cuisine like the delicious blend of oils! Here are four to begin with:
- Peanut (groundnut) oil is an ideal option for a classic choice.
- Mustard oil provides the right kick for making mouth-watering pickles and dishes from North India & Bengal.
- If you’re looking to explore flavors from South India, sesame (gingelly or til) will be your perfect companion!
- Finally, sunflower/ safflower offers a milder taste but no less tasty experience that will make every meal special.
If you’re inspired to get started after reading this, why not give some of our delectable Indian recipes a try? So unleash your inner chef and let the magic begin!
