India depends heavily on imports to meet its cooking gas demand, and a large portion of that supply comes from West Asian countries. The raging war in West Asia involving Iran, Israel and the United States
is beginning to ripple far beyond the battlefield — reaching Indian kitchens and restaurants through disruptions in LPG supply.
As the conflict enters its second week, concerns are rising over shipping routes, logistics delays and rising fuel prices. Reports of delayed cylinder deliveries and shortages of commercial LPG have surfaced in several cities. In this situation, households and food businesses are looking for alternatives that allow cooking with little or no gas.
From electric appliances to traditional low-fuel recipes, check out some options that can help keep meals running even during supply disruptions.
What are the alternatives to LPG for cooking and heating?
Piped Natural Gas (PNG): Considered cleaner and relatively safer for cooking and water heating, the PNGs provide a continuous supply through underground pipelines. It eliminates the need for cylinder refills and delivery logistics, and the best part? Long-term operational costs are often lower once installation is completed.
Electric Cooktops: Compatible with most utensils, including aluminium, steel and clay cookware, infrared or ceramic cooktops provide quick and efficient heating. They are easy to use and relatively pocket-friendly during LPG price spikes.
Induction Stoves: Ideal for Indian cooking styles, induction stoves are energy-efficient and suitable as they use electromagnetic technology for rapid heating. But note that the stoves require ferromagnetic cookware such as iron or induction-compatible steel.
Air Fryers and Microwave Ovens: They are useful for quick meals and snacks when the LPG supply is limited. You can also opt for air fryers as they allow frying, roasting, grilling and baking with minimal oil.
Microwave ovens can also be used for reheating, steaming and some quick cooking tasks.
Renewable Cooking Options: Solar cookers use sunlight to prepare food without fuel but depend on clear weather. Biogas plants, on the other hand, convert household organic waste into eco-friendly and viable cooking gas and are increasingly used in rural and semi-urban households.
What are quick, no-cook or no-gas meal options?
No-Cook Salads and Chaats
Sprouted moong chaat: Mix soaked moong sprouts with onions, tomatoes, cucumber, lemon juice, chaat masala and coriander.
Peanut chaat: Toss roasted peanuts with chopped vegetables, tamarind chutney and sev to satisfy your cravings.
Raitas and Yogurt-Based Sides
Beetroot raita: Combine grated raw beetroot with whisked curd, roasted cumin powder, salt and mint. Serve it with chapatti and enjoy the smile on everyone’s face.
Cucumber raita: To make this, mix finely chopped cucumber with yogurt, black salt and roasted cumin.
Poha and Rice-Based Quick Mixes
Lemon poha: The quickest snack. Mix soaked flattened rice with lemon juice, peanuts, onions, green chillies and coriander.
Curd poha: Soft poha blended with thick curd and basic spices will keep to you cool and fuller for long.
Pickles and Chutneys
Instant amla pickle: Mash raw amla and add salt, chilli powder and mustard oil. Enjoy it with rice or chapatti.
Ginger-curry leaf chutney: Blend fresh ginger, curry leaves, green chilli and lemon juice for tanginess
Quick Desserts
Date-nut laddus: Blend pitted dates with almonds, peanuts or seeds and roll into small balls
Fruit chaat: Combine seasonal fruits like banana, apple, mango and pomegranate with chaat masala and honey. You can skip masala and add yogurt for chilled fruit chaat in this daunting summers.
How can traditional Indian dishes be prepared using minimal fuel or electricity?
Pressure Cooker Favourites
Simple dal or dal tadka: Lentils cook in about 10–15 minutes under pressure, using less energy than open-pot cooking
Khichdi: Cook rice and lentils together in one pot for a complete meal. It gets ready in under 20 minutes.
Roti and Flatbread Hacks: Use heavy cast-iron tawas on low flame that retain heat efficiently. Prepare and roll dough in advance to cook multiple rotis quickly.
Quick Stir-Fry Sides
Bhindi masala or aloo jeera: These vegetables cook quickly in 5–7 minutes on high heat
Vegetable poriyal: This dish is stir-fried using chopped vegetables and minimal oil
One-Pot Curries
Rajma or chole: Pressure cooking reduces simmering time significantly.
Vegetable pulao: Soaked rice and vegetables cook together in about 10 minutes under pressure.
How can you minimize fuel or electricity when cooking rotis?
Efficient cooking methods and better heat management can reduce energy use by nearly 20–30 per cent while making rotis.
Dough Preparation Tips: Knead dough with warm water to improve elasticity. Allow the dough to rest for 15–30 minutes so the gluten relaxes and rolling becomes easier.
Appliance and Heat Setup: Preheat the tawa or induction plate on medium-high heat for about 2–3 minutes. Lower the heat to medium once cooking begins. Important Tip: Cast-iron tawas retain heat longer and cook rotis fasters.
Recommended Cooking Technique: It is recommended to cook each roti for about 30–40 seconds per side. Limit flipping to three turns for best results. On induction or electric plates, press edges gently with a cloth to help rotis puff.
Batch Efficiency: Roll out 4–6 rotis before starting to cook. Store cooked rotis immediately in an insulated casserole to retain softness.
Why West Asia Matters for India’s LPG Supply
India is among the world’s largest consumers of LPG, but domestic production covers only a small share of demand. Nearly 85–90 per cent of the country’s LPG requirement is met through imports, most of which originate from Gulf countries such as Saudi Arabia, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates.
Because of this heavy dependence, geopolitical tensions in West Asia can quickly affect fuel availability in India. Most LPG shipments bound for India pass through the Strait of Hormuz, a narrow yet strategically crucial shipping corridor between Iran and Oman. Any instability in this route can delay tanker movement and disrupt fuel deliveries across Asia.
About The Attack
Iran launched a barrage of ballistic missiles and drones targeting several cities including Dubai, Doha, Bahrain and Kuwait, in retaliation for coordinated US and Israeli strikes on Tehran that reportedly killed Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
Explosions were reported in Dubai and Abu Dhabi, with Iranian forces allegedly targeting the Al-Dhafra Air Base, which houses US military personnel. Blasts were also heard in Doha, Riyadh, Manama, Jerusalem and Tel Aviv, marking a major escalation in tensions across the region.
