10 EASY WAYS TO MAKE INDIAN FOOD AT HOME

10 EASY WAYS TO MAKE INDIAN FOOD AT HOME

If there's one thing I've learned over the past 20 years of working in restaurants, it is that eating out (and ordering food) has its own set of problems. Not only do we have to think about our appetites and stomachs every time we go somewhere new, but there are also an infinite amount of things we need to consider when planning how, where, when, and with whom we eat — and what types of foods. A restaurant can sometimes be just what you need from time to time to get through a hectic day, but if you want to be able to order something fresh-baked for lunch on Sunday (or any other weekend morning), here’s what you need to know.

If you want fast service with all the trimmings and all the extras, then that's definitely worth checking out. Restaurants tend to have less variety in a particular spot or location than they do at home, as well. And that can make it difficult for people to figure out exactly what they like or don't like. But that doesn't mean you shouldn't try to find some kind of balance between speed and variety.

In fact, many meals require both. There’s no question that you should always eat and drink more than you need if you can afford it, nor is there anything wrong with going out occasionally for special occasions. It’s just important to know which meal options will give you the most bang for your buck. Read this article for ten easy ways to serve up tasty Indian meals at home in minutes or less.

1. Add Some Seasoning

While not exactly vegetarian, spices can really add flavor to almost any dish, especially to dishes that are made with meat or fish. Spices that typically pair well with rice include coriander, cumin, turmeric, ginger, black pepper, curry powder, cinnamon, and cardamom. If you aren’t keen on cooking with chicken or beef, you can substitute various herbs, spices, and herbs such as tarragon, basil, oregano, thyme, or rosemary instead of traditional spices. Similarly, chili peppers can replace a great deal of regular chili flakes. Lastly, fresh veggies (especially green ones) can be used to add much needed color and flavor to almost any dish. For example, chopped onion can be added to stews or soups or served as garnish for salads or sandwiches. Onions are naturally rich in many nutrients, and can help lower cholesterol levels. In fact, whole onions can even help stop heart disease, according to studies conducted by John Hopkins University in Baltimore, Maryland.

2. Use Herbs & Spice Ingredients In Your Cooking

If you already use ingredients such as chili powders, chili paste, garlic powder, paprika, etc., try using them in your cooking before making a full batch so as not to waste food. They may look bland or ordinary, but their aroma makes food taste better; and they're often very flavorful. Additionally, using ingredients that are hard to find at local grocery stores, like chamomile flowers and parsley, will give your recipes new flavors and tastes. Even dried herbs such as lemongrass can offer plenty of flavor as long as they're properly stored or frozen.

3. Mix Up The Meat Flavor You Want To Serve With Every Meal

If you're looking for ideas for improving your vegetable stock, try adding different types of vegetables into your recipe. Instead of using canned beans or dried pinto beans, try soaking some canned jicama, carrots, or celery in water for 30 minutes. Or squeeze the juice out of one of those canned pineapple chunks or slices to add a little pizazz to your dish. Next, cut another peeled tomato into cubes and cook them together in the blender until everything gets smooth and runny. This helps keep the tomato juices extra concentrated, and ensures that vegetables will retain their natural sweetness and flavor, which allows you to achieve the perfect balance of sweet, spicy, savory, and bitter with every ingredient. Of course, feel free to add a few drops of olive oil or a dash of red wine vinegar, depending on your personal preference.

4. Try Different Types Of Salt In Recipes

Salt adds umami, savory notes to a dish, and while salt isn't technically required to enjoy healthy, it certainly adds a nice depth of flavor. Adding a bit of pink Himalayan sea salt (the equivalent to kosher table salt) to stir fry, sushi rolls, scrambled eggs, and other dishes can add a layer of crunchy, mild seasoning and richness to whatever you're serving. Keep an eye on your plate to see what flavor combinations work best with salt. It's a good idea to sprinkle some salt throughout the meal because this way a dish begins to come across as more balanced and nourishing. As a bonus, it gives guests who notice a strong sensation of salty after tasting your food the chance to experience some of that same umami and flavor.

5. Create Baking Chairs That Will Improve Vegetarian Dishes

If you aren’t feeling quite ready to commit to veganism, there's still room for plant-based meals in your busy schedule. When hosting friends over for dinner, try creating baking chairs and dining tables from scratch, where guests can fill it with favorite dishes of their choosing. From breakfast bowls filled with Greek yogurt to French toast to hearty tacos, there are plenty of delicious alternatives for vegans or vegetarians looking to bring back favorites. Plus, if anyone needs to pick up what they were previously placing down, they can simply throw out the leftovers, saving money in the long run.

6. Give Cauliflower "Vegetable Street" Names

Cauliflower has become synonymous with Asian cuisine thanks to Japanese chefs, who now incorporate it into their signature dishes. Take it from these Korean chefs, call it'vegetable street,' or'veggie cabbage', or whatever strikes your fancy. Simply cut around sections of cauliflower and wrap them into either banana leaves or cloth napkins and place them out on the counter. Then, arrange the leaves in an arch shape, leaving gaps in places that allow liquid to drip, or simply cover with a paper towel. Leave them to sit for 15 to 20 minutes before cutting another section at the same time. Finally, sprinkle a light dusting of olive oil on top! The result? These cute pieces of leaf can bring out subtle nuances and flavors that would never be seen without the addition of lime, mustard, and sesame seeds. This technique also creates a wonderful source of texture and a beautiful presentation to your meal.

7. Eat Fish Entirely - No Meats, Just Seafood

If you love seafood, but hate having to peel and dice it, consider roasting fish instead. Roasting fish can actually remove certain colors and skins while also leaving the flesh itself edible and fresh-cut. Since meats are higher in fat and calories, people generally prefer consuming vegetables instead, especially since raw meat tends to be high in sodium and calories. So why not give roasted fish a second life and try serving your family with grilled salmon, cod, filets mignon, tuna, and mussels. By doing this, you'll actually be feeding your body, not your waistline. You can also cook your salmon fillets individually in pots of salted boiling water with cornichons and potatoes, which can quickly turn them from mush to juicy fish fillets in no time. And who doesn't love freshly fried potato chips? All you gotta do is put the seasoned patty in hot oil, put some cheese on top, and bake them until golden brown, just like this recipe here.

8. Swap Out Fried Foods for Whole Grains

When preparing fried foods such as eggplant or shrimp skewer, aim to eliminate added sugar and fats, and swap out oil with nut or seed oils. Replace frying oil with coconut oil or avocado oil and use vegetable oil when frying vegetables, or olive oil instead of butter. You should also switch out flour for gluten-free flours and white bread for wheat-based ones, because both contain carbohydrates.

9. Bake Other People's Breads (But Only Using Slices)

Bakers love using their ovens to prepare large batches of breads for orders. However, if you need bread from someone else, instead of making yourself and hoping for the best, here are a few tips:

• Have several bakers gather loaves and slice them into individual portions for everyone. Everyone who picks up a loaf from the oven gets a piece. It's also easier to distribute the loaves evenly among the group.

• Consider asking them to handwrite directions for how to make their bread. This way it's easy to follow along and avoid mistakes. Once instructions are written, all individuals can read them and check the steps, whereas having someone write it on each loaf before the start of baking makes it easier to correct a mistake.

• Don't forget to check on any allergies or sensitivities to their recipes. This way when serving everyone is done, they won't have any reactions, or you wouldn't have to worry about them complaining about what you cooked them.

10. Start Preparing Beans Before Shredded and Cooked Them Yourself

When starting off with homemade bean dishes, like chickpeas, lentils, or kidney beans, plan ahead of time and know that cooking beans will cause more damage and lead to unneeded amounts of carbs in your diet. Follow these simple steps:

Wash and rinse your beans thoroughly. Drain any excess oil and put them in a bowl, covered with water or broth, to soak overnight. After two hours or overnight, drain and rinse again with cold water to remove any remaining debris.