Are you eager to learn and experiment with Indian cooking techniques? Or are you willing to know how beneficial all Indian cooking techniques are and how do they hold various nutritional values? In that case, you have reached the perfect site. As you already know, India is a very diverse country and naturally has a variety of bases when it comes to food as well. There are a variety of cooking techniques which are followed in India on a national basis, in almost every house and family. In the process, there are also a few many spices and ingredients used which have some exceptional medicinal and nutritional values. Read the complete article till the end, to know all about these various cooking styles of India and the benefits that can be utilized.
The Various Types of Cooking Styles –
- Tadka Or Baghar: Tempering
The manner of tempering entails blooming spices in warm ghee for you to upload marvelous, deep taste to meals. This method is used to decorate the taste of veggies, daals, chutneys, raita, and different dishes; the timing relies upon the kind of dish. For example, for veggie dishes, Tadka is carried out within the beginning, while with daal; it’s far brought on the pinnacle at the end. Dal Tadka, Kadi Pakoda, Curd rice. Magic comes from Tadka/ Tempering.
Every area of India provides unique gadgets to Tadka, however the maximum not unusual place are complete mustard and cumin seeds. In Northern India, onion and garlic can be used. In Southern India, it’s not an unusual place to apply shredded coconut and curry leaves. Other spices generally brought consist of asafetida and chilies. Different states of India use different spices and condiments for Tadka/ tempering giving the specific regional flavor. Like Jamboo/ faran is used in Uttarakhand, cumin/ jeera is used mostly in almost all Indian states, mustard seeds are used in south Indian delicacies.
To create a Tadka, warm the ghee till it’s far, nearly smoking, lessen the warmth, and upload the spices. As they prepare dinner (bloom), they may alternate color and come to be very aromatic. The accurate order to feature matters to a Tadka is: alliums, entire spices, herbs, powdered spices. Keep in mind that warm oil sizzles and splatters. It’s sensible to put on an apron, maintain a secure distance, or cowl with a screen. There is likewise a particular spoon to be had for Tadka.
2. Dum: Slow cooking
Dum way to ‘breathe in’ and is an Indian technique of steaming through a round, heavy-bottomed pot with a lid and slowly cooking over a low flame. In this method, the meals cook in its very own steam and the gradual-roasting permits every of the spices and herbs to launch their complete taste into the dish.
In cutting-edge cooking, the usage of a forged iron oven with a heavy lid is a powerful manner to seal and sluggishly prepare dinner for this sort of dish. However, in conventional Indian cooking, a clay pot (or handi) becomes sealed with wheat flour dough to make certain steam change into a trapped interior, maintaining the aroma and maturing the flavors. Remember the taste of Hyderabadi Dum Biryani, Dum Aloo of Kashmir, Dum Paneer Kali Mirch slow cooking with lots of aromatic spices and condiments.
3. Bhunao: Sautéing
This Indian cooking approach is a piece like Asian stir frying, because it calls for regular stirring over medium to excessive warmth, however the aim is to create a thick, spiced paste, which may be thinned right into a gravy. It begins off evolving with heating ghee in a frying pan after which including meat or greens, together with spices. Continue to stir because the combination browns, and upload liquid to deglaze numerous times. The intention is to deepen the taste via means of browning and thickening the components, however now no longer permitting them to burn. The end result is a wealthy taste!
4. Dhuanaar/ Dhungar: Smoking
In this North Indian approach, a small bowl with a bit of lit charcoal is positioned inside of a bigger vessel on the pinnacle of the cooking meals. A small quantity of ghee is poured over the coal after which the entirety is included with a lid to lure the smoky interior and infuse the meals with smoky taste. This special Indian cooking techniques comes from Rajasthan. Dhuanaar Daal Bati Churma is the authentic dish prepared with Dhuanaar technique gives the special flavor to simple Daal. Angara Paneer is also prepared with this Indian cooking technique.
5. Talna: Frying
Deep-Frying In the Indian technique of deep-frying, clean oil or ghee is used every time (now no longer saved), and meals are fried in small batches in best 1-2 inches of oil-simply sufficient to immerse the meals. Indian fritters/ Pakoda, Samosa, Jalebi, Kachori are prepared with this Indian cooking technique. Although deep fried food is not considered very healthy for body but indulging in this food sometimes is not at all bad.
6. Tandoori: Roasting/Baking
A tandoor is a North Indian clay oven that is used to prepare dinner for dinner naan or marinated meat using a warm charcoal fire. The meals cooked in a tandoor oven are roasted and smoky. Winters with barbecue at home; not a bad idea. Tandoori chicken, tandoori chai, tandoori eggs, tandoori momos.
- Bhaap : Steaming
In this Indian cooking technique the food is cooked with steam. This technique is considered one of the healthiest Indian cooking techniques. Khaman Dhokla, Idli, appam are prepared with this Indian cooking technique.
- Khurchan : Scraping
Indian sweet delicacy Rabdi is prepared by this Indian cooking technique in which milk is reduced and thickened over low flame and creamy layer is scrapped off. This creamy sweet scrapping is so delicious that one cannot miss and yes try out Rabdi with Jalebi.
- Balchao : Pickling
Balchao is a pickeling technique of Indian Cooking technique that comes from Goa. In this technique the food is prepared by pickeling seafood or meat. Basically this method prepares fiery dish almost like pickle.
- Ubalna : Boiling
Boiling/ ubalna is considered one of the healthiest Indian cooking technique as food retain their nutritive values. Indian Khichdi is a great healing food when prepared with proper technique.
The following are some very essential ingredients which are used during the above cooking processes and are beneficial in their own respective ways –
- Cumin: Cumin or “Jeera” in Hindi is one of the fundamental components located in most of the Indian cuisines. It aids in digestion, flatulence, acidity and diarrhea too.
- Garlic: Garlic is one of the effective substances in Tadka. Known as an immunity booster, this enables on top of things all viral, bacterial and fungal infections. It has a robust flavor and scent which can provide a tasty flavor to our Indian cuisine.
- Mustard Seeds: Mustard seeds or “Sarson” is some other element in the tempering method. It’s a treatment for rheumatoid arthritis and muscle pains. It additionally boosts immunity, slows down aging, combat infections and lowers terrible infections.
- Turmeric Powder: It is an excellent healing agent and enables in producing immunity. It is distinctly powerful in blood and cough. It works as an antiseptic and enables in treating pores and skin problems.
- Pepper Corns: Having super digestive benefits, pepper corns are recognized to enhance digestion electricity and control bowel movements.
Now You Know!
Now since you have already read this far, we assume that you have read and understood everything thoroughly till this extent. If you can follow Indian cooking techniques and maintain their decorum, then you can also make delicious foods and meals for yourself and your close ones. Besides, you must have also read about how certain elements and ingredients come of much help in a few different ways. So try your best to use them, keeping in mind the taste of the food and retain their nutrition. Happy and healthy eating !