Beyond Curry: Creative Ways to Use Indian Masala in Your Cooking


There are a number of masalas used in India. Using proper spice in food can make the dish delicious and favorable. But how can you use Indian spices creatively in your daily food to make true Indian cuisine? 

If you are a foodie or want to learn to cook, then this blog will be worthy. Here we’ll go deep in the most popular Indian masala combination and their effects on food. So, without further ado, let’s start!

Most Popular Indian Masala

Today, we're going to explore 6 of the top spices you'll find in Indian kitchens. Let’s see how you can use these spices to make your own dishes even more amazing. 

1.Turmeric

Turmeric is a spice used in Indian cooking. It comes from the Curcuma longa plant's root and is bright yellow. It has a warm, slightly bitter taste and is added to curries for flavor and color. Turmeric is rich in antioxidants. It helps with inflammation, and can improve memory and thinking. 

Use Turmeric:


It's generally used in a powder form. If you want to add some zing to your curry, here's what you can do- sprinkle it as part of your marinade or dry rub for your veggies, or toss it into your sauce or gravy. On the other hand, you can also add turmeric powder in preparation time.

When it comes to the sauce, don't forget to throw it in after the onions, alongside your other spices. 

2.Coriander

Coriander is a spice often used in Indian cooking. It comes from the seeds of the Coriander plant and is light brown. It has a sweet, citrusy taste and is added to dishes like curries. Coriander is good for you; it has vitamins A and C and can help with inflammation.

Use Coriander:


You can use both whole coriander seeds and coriander powder in your cooking. But keep in mind that coriander seeds have a strong flavor and can be overwhelming if you use too much. They're often used in snacks like samosas, especially in the potato filling.

On the other hand, coriander powder has a milder taste and is commonly found in everyday dishes like curries and dals.

3.Cumin

Cumin is a spice often used in Indian cooking. It's made from the seeds of the Cuminum plant and has a dark brown color. Cumin has a rich taste and is used to make food, like veg curries.  It's also good because it gives us iron and helps our digestion.

Use Cumin:


When you're cooking, it's best to add cumin seeds to hot oil before anything else. Right after that, you can toss in some veggies like onions and tomatoes to prevent the cumin from burning. If you accidentally burn the cumin, it's tough to mask the bitter taste. You'll recognize it's burnt when it turns black and starts smoking. When using powdered cumin, mix it with other powdered spices, like turmeric, coriander.

4.Cardamon


Cardamom is another Indian masala that is commonly used in every Indian kitchen. It's made from the seeds of the Elettaria cardamomum plant and has a light green color. It tastes sweet and flowery and is great for making curries and other yummy dishes. Cardamom is also good for you because it has vitamins B and C, and it can help with inflammation.

Use Cardamom:


Cardamom is used significantly in Indian dishes. They are mostly used in some lavish food items 
such as Biryani, Kheer,  Halua, or Panner Kopta. Apart from this, cardamom powder can also be used in sweet dishes. Use a small amount of cardamom with a pair of saffron and cinnamon for sweet dishes. 


5.Cinnamon


Cinnamon is a popular spice in Indian cooking. It's made from the bark of the Cinnamomum Verum tree and has a brown color. Cinnamon tastes both sweet and a bit spicy. People use it to make curries and other tasty dishes. Plus, it's good for you because it has vitamins A and C and can help with inflammation.

Use Cinnamon:


You can add it to your dish such as rice dishes such as Biryani or Pulao. Add it as a whole stick to hot oil before adding anything else to make an amazing rich flavor.

6.Clove

Cloves are a spice commonly used in Indian cooking. They're like tiny dark brown buds from a special plant called Syzygium aromatic. Cloves taste sweet but also a bit strong, and they're used to make dishes like curries that taste really good.

What's cool is that cloves have vitamins C and K, which are good for your health. They're like natural germ fighters too, which makes them even more awesome. 

Use Clove:


You'll often find cloves added at the start of cooking, where they're mixed with oil to release their flavors. Cloves are also used as a powder in dishes like Rajma or in a blend called garam masala

Final Words

These are some common Indian spices. When you mix these spices, you can make a tasty and flavorful dish. Do you have a favorite Indian spice for your cooking? Tell us in the comments below!

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