Unleash the magic of spices in your cooking! Elevate your dishes with these 7 flavorful gems! Dive in to tantalize your taste buds!
Hey folks! Tired of the same old flavours in your vegetarian cooking?
Want to give your dishes that extra oomph, that special something that makes everyone go "Wah! What's that flavour?" Well, you've come to the right place! India, as we all know, is the land of spices.
But navigating the spice aisle can be a bit overwhelming, no? So, we've curated a list of 7 amazing spices that will instantly uplift your veggie creations and take them from thik-thak to absolutely fantastic. Get ready to tantalize your taste buds!
Turmeric adds warm, earthy flavor and health benefits to dishes
Let's begin with Turmeric (Haldi). This spice is not just for colour, okay? It's got this warm, earthy flavour that's just amazing. And arre, did you know it is good for you? It is said to be good for health. Add a pinch to your daal while cooking, or to your sabzi when sautéing.
A little bit of it goes a long way. You can even add it to hot milk with some honey. And yes! We all know the Haldi ceremony. It's an integral part of our culture. You can use it to give that extra special flavour.
Versatile coriander (Dhaniya) adds flavor to Indian dishes
Next up is Coriander (Dhaniya). This spice is so versatile, yaar! Both the seeds and the fresh leaves are used in Indian cooking. The seeds have a lovely citrusy flavour, while the fresh leaves have a bright, grassy taste. You can use coriander powder in curries, chutneys, and even raitas.
Throw in those freshly chopped leaves in aloo sabzi and see the difference! We Indians love these little things in our food. It's one of the most important and most versatile spice.
Cumin (Jeera) adds flavor and health benefits to dishes
Moving on to Cumin (Jeera)! This spice has a warm, aromatic flavour that's just addictive. You can use it whole in tempering (tadka), or you can grind it into a powder and add it to your dishes. Roasted jeera powder is especially delicious sprinkled on top of yogurt or added to chaat.
Everyone just loves it! If you're a fan of jeera water every morning. It not only hydrates your body but also gives you a ton of health benefits. What else do you need, man?
Cardamom: the queen of spices adds magic to dishes & chai
Now let us talk about Cardamom (Elaichi). This spice is known as the queen of spices for a reason. Cardamom has a sweet, floral flavour that's simply divine. You can use the green pods in sweet dishes like kheer and halwa, or you can use the black pods in savoury dishes like biryani.
It works like magic man! When you are feeling a little low! Add a hint of Cardamom in your chai, and see the magic it does to your mind. It's like taking to a new space!
Ginger adds depth to dishes, good for colds, teas
Then there is Ginger (Adrak), which is also a part of every Indian household. It has this spicy, pungent flavour that adds a lot of depth to dishes. Use ginger in curries, stir-fries, and even in your chai! It also gives a good relief for cold and cough.
You can make adrak chai with honey when you catch some cold. Ginger is so healthy. Indian grandma's will never let you go with cold and cough. Use ginger to make tea and it will be all good. It is used in most of the gravies and brings aroma.
Chili adds kick to dishes, from curries to pickles
Let's not forget Chili (Mirchi), which gives just the right amount of kick. Whether you prefer red chilies, green chilies, or chili powder, there's a type of chili to suit every taste. You can use chilies in curries, pickles, and sauces. Also, if you like spicy food, you can add more chilies!
If not you can use Kashmir Mirchi (Chili). It gives your sabzi the much needed red colour and less spicy. You can use red pepper flakes too!.
