Spice up your kitchen with Velspices: Tips for using Indian spices in your everyday cooking

Are you tired of cooking the same old dishes and want to add some excitement to your meals? Look no further than Indian spices! With their vibrant colors, aromatic scents, and unique Flavors, Indian spices can take your cooking to the next level. In this blog, we'll explore some tips for using Indian spices in your everyday cooking, and how you can easily incorporate them into your meals using Velspices, an Indian grocery store that offers Indian grocery online.

Understanding Indian Spices

Indian spices are a staple in Indian cuisine and have been used for centuries in traditional cooking. They come in various forms, such as whole spices, ground spices, spice blends, and herbs. Indian spices not only add flavour to your dishes, but they also offer several health benefits. For instance, turmeric has anti-inflammatory properties, while cumin aids digestion.

Different Types of Indian Spices

Indian spices are used in different ways in cooking, depending on their type. Understanding the difference can help you to use them effectively in your cooking. Here are some different types of Indian spices.

Whole Spices:

Whole spices are used to add aroma and flavour to dishes. They can be roasted or tempered to release their natural oils and Flavors. Whole spices include cumin, coriander, mustard seeds, fenugreek seeds, cardamom, cloves, cinnamon, and many more.

Ground Spices:

Ground spices are made by grinding whole spices into a fine powder. They are used to add flavour, colour, and aroma to dishes. Ground spices include turmeric, chili powder, cumin powder, coriander powder, and many more.

Spice Blends:

Spice blends are a combination of different spices, ground into a powder or paste. They are used to add complex Flavors to dishes. Some popular spice blends are garam masala, chaat masala, and curry powder.

Herbs:

Herbs are fresh or dried leaves of plants that are used to add flavour to dishes. Some popular herbs used in Indian cooking are curry leaves, mint, cilantro, and fenugreek leaves.

Tips for using Indian Spices in your everyday cooking

Start with the basics

If you're new to cooking with Indian spices, start with the basics, such as cumin, coriander, turmeric, and chili powder. These spices are commonly used in many Indian dishes and can add depth and flavour to your meals.

Experiment with spice blends

Indian spice blends, such as garam masala, chaat masala, and curry powder, are a combination of several spices. They offer a complex flavour and aroma to your dishes. Experiment with different spice blends to find the ones that work best for you.

Understand the importance of tempering

Tempering is the process of frying whole spices in hot oil or ghee. This process releases the oils and Flavors of the spices and adds a unique flavour to your dishes. Commonly used whole spices for tempering include cumin seeds, mustard seeds, and fenugreek seeds.

Use spices in marinades and rubs

Indian spices can also be used in marinades and rubs for meats and vegetables. The spices can penetrate the food and infuse them with flavour. For instance, marinating chicken in yogurt and Indian spices, such as cumin and coriander, can make it tender and flavourful.

Add spices to your soups and stews

Adding Indian spices to your soups and stews can add depth and complexity to the dish. For instance, adding cumin and coriander to a lentil soup can enhance its flavour.

Pair spices with the right ingredients Pairing spices with the right ingredients is essential to create a balanced and flavourful dish. For instance, cumin pairs well with beans, while coriander goes well with chicken and fish. Cardamom pairs well with sweet dishes like desserts and chai tea.

Toast spices before using them

Toasting whole spices before using them can enhance their flavour and aroma. Simply heat a dry skillet over medium heat and add the spices. Toast them until fragrant, stirring occasionally, for about a minute or two. Then, grind the toasted spices into a fine powder or use them whole.

Where to buy Indian Spices

Now that you're familiar with Indian spices and how to use them, the next step is to buy them. You can find Indian spices at your local Indian grocery store, or you can buy them online from Indian grocery online stores like Velspices.

Velspices offers a wide variety of Indian spices, including whole spices, ground spices, spice blends, and herbs. You can order them online and have them delivered to your doorstep. Velspices also offers recipe ideas on their website to help you get started with cooking Indian dishes.

In conclusion, Indian spices are a versatile and flavourful addition to your everyday cooking. Understanding the different types of Indian spices and how to use them can help you create delicious and healthy meals. And with the convenience of Indian grocery online stores like Velspices, you can easily buy the spices you need to spice up your kitchen.