Indian Pantry
Ingredients for an Indian kitchen
Stocking Your Indian Pantry
When cooking Indian meals quickly, it is important to have a well-stocked pantry of
general, non- perishable items like dals, spices, chutney, pickles and ghee. Absent from
this last are the perishables--such as veggies, yogurt, and meat.
These are the items that will work in
numerous different recipies and will allow you to always have something that you can make
for breakfast, lunch or dinner.
Here is a list of ingredients to get you started:
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Dals (lentils)
Masoor (split red lentils)
Moong (split yellow lentil)
Urad (black gram)
Chana (large split yellow lentil)
Grains
Basmati rice: The name means "queen of
fragrance." This long-grained, fine-textured rice has been grown in the foothills of
the Himalayas for centuries. The rice is used in biryanis and other special-occasion rice
dishes.
Aata To make chapatis, parathas and other Indian breads.
Spice Blends
Savor the authentic taste of India with
Ajika spice blends! Each package contains the perfect blend of organic and conventional
spices to help you create a Far-East masterpiece
Gobi Aloo Masala or Cauliflower Potato Spice Blend - a palette pleaser
Bhindi Masala Okra Spice Blend -
Potato Hash # 1 Spice Blend
Potato Hash # 2 Spice Blend with Curry Leaves
Herbal Spice
Blend From The Himalayas
Sambhar Masala
Vegetable (subzi) Spice Blend - flavor veggies and achieve a tastes of
heaven
Rajmah Spice Blend or Rajma (Kidney Beans) Spice
Blend
Channa
Masala / Chole Spice Curry Blend,
Dal or Lentil Spice Blend
Biryani Rice Meal Spice Blend - a
restaurant spiced rice favorite -
Royal Pilaf Spice and Nut Blend - a restaurant spiced rice favorite -
Biryani Rice Meal Spice Blend - a
restaurant spiced rice favorite -
Tandoori Spice Blend - for the famous Indian BBQ -
Tikka Masala or Chicken Grilling Spice Blend
Korma Masala Curry Spice Blend
Goan Vindaloo Spice Curry Blend
Vegetable (subzi) Spice Blend
Meat (spice Blend) Curry Blend
Chicken (spice Blend) Masala or Curry Blend - A blend to make chicken
Seafood Masala (spice Blend) or Curry Blend - A classical blend for seafood
Egg
or Tofu (spice Blend) Masala or Curry Blend
Garam Masala (WholeSpices) Blend -
Madras Curry Blend -
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Curry
Powder
Unlocking a treasure trove of spices,
Coriander seeds Buy the seeds and powder.
Cumin seeds Buy both kinds - white and black. Get seeds and powder of each kind.
Dry red chillies Get them whole and you can grind them coarsely later if the recipe calls
for that.
Fresh green chillies Buy just a few at a time.
Turmeric Buy only in the powder form.
Garam masala Buy garam masala readymade in the stores or make your own.
Cinnamon Get this in stick form.
Cardamom Available in three types – black, green and white. Buy just a little of each
type.
Cloves Like cinnamon, this spice is also typically used whole in Indian cooking so buy it
that way.
Peppercorns Most often used whole. If required in a recipe in its powdered form, grind it
fresh just before using.
Bay leaves Use it to neutralize strong odors in cooking.
Poppy seeds Buy these whole.
Mustard seeds Buy these whole.
Fenugreek seeds Typically used whole.
Aniseed/Fennel seeds Buy whole.
Asafetida Store this strong-smelling spice in a tightly closed container as it can easily
impart its smell to other spices.
Thymol Buy seeds.
Saffron Buy just a little.
Tamarind Sold as blocks. Buy a small block.
Raw mango powder Store in a cool dry place or else it will get lumpy.
Ginger Buy in both paste and whole form. You can also make your own paste if you are so
inclined.
Garlic Get both the paste and whole pods.
Oil I like to keep vegetable/ sunflower or canola oil in my kitchen. Mustard oil is
required for some East Indian dishes. Keep a small tin of ghee on hand for when you want
to make something special.
Coriander leaves
Mint leaves
If this seems like a lot to buy just to get started, consider the fact that you will use
most of these ingredients fairly often. Also while a dish may have many ingredients and
therefore seem to be time-consuming and difficult to make, it might actually be easily
assembled and prepared. Always read the recipe from start to finish just to make sure. The
result will, needless to say, be worth all the effort!
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