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The Only 7 Spices You Need for Cooking Indian Cuisine
When I went to college, my mom told me I only needed these 7 spices to flavor our vegetarian favorites
I’m Indian. Trust me when I say you need to have these spices in your pantry if you want to cook delicious Indian cuisine. I was raised in a vegetarian household and grew up eating the most delicious food my mum made for us and never once felt the lack of meat in my diet. I make Indian food quite often but even more so when I want something quick (contrary to popular belief, I know) cheap and flavourful.
There are, of course, many different kinds of Indian food that rely on a variety of complex spice blends for unique flavors. But if you’re starting out with easy Indian recipes, you only need these seven spices to make them great.
I have always loved cooking, but before I moved to university, my mom was adamant I learn all of our favorite, easy recipes. I always thought the way she cooked was so complex and intricate. I was wrong. She told me all you need are these seven spices and salt.
A lot of Indian families keep a circular box with small compartments containing all the spices they use daily, which makes them easy to access while cooking, tasting, and tweaking flavors.
1. Coriander (cilantro) powder
Rather than buying ground coriander, I prefer buying whole coriander seeds, dry roasting them and then grinding them. Coriander seeds have an earthy and mellow taste that works particularly well with cumin.
2. Cumin powder
Just like buying whole coriander seeds and then grinding them up at home, I prefer doing so with cumin seeds as well. My mom just mixes coriander powder and cumin powder together rather than keeping them separately, because of how well they complement each other in any dish.
3. Turmeric Powder
Turmeric powder is becoming increasingly used around the world in turmeric lattes or “golden milk” but Indians have been…
