An Indian Delight – It is So Easy To Make Your Own Authentic Dal At Home

Authentic Indian cuisine requires a lot of spices and ingredients, which can be difficult to come by if you’re not familiar with their specific flavor profiles. Here are a few tips to help you cook authentic Indian cuisine:

• Start with whole spices. Whole spices such as cumin, coriander, and cardamom retain their flavor better than ground versions.
• Use a mix of fresh herbs with dried herbs for an aromatic flavor profile.
• Use moderate amounts of salt, or skip it altogether when cooking traditional Indian dishes. Too much salt can overpower the delicate flavors in these meals.

Basic Tips for Creating Authentic Indian Food

1. Start with the basics: Indian food is all about balancing flavor and texture, so start by heating your oil or pan and adding your spices.

Here are 10 typical Indian spices to choose from and combine:

1. Curcumin: This is a common spice used in Indian cuisine to add a yellow color and flavor to food.
2. Paprika: This spice is used to add a bright red color and flavor to dishes.
3. Cayenne pepper: This spicy pepper is used in cooking to add heat and flavor.
4. Garlic: Garlic is a common ingredient in Indian cuisine, and it is often used in masalas or marinades.
5. Cumin: This spice is often used in Indian curries and savory dishes.
6. Ginger: Ginger is another common ingredient in Indian cuisine, and it is often used in ginger-flavored sauces or as a flavoring agent in savory dishes.
7. Salt: Salt, in small amounts, is a key ingredient in many Indian dishes, and it helps to bring out the flavors of other spices.
8. Coriander (cilantro): Coriander is a popular spice used in Indian cuisine for its distinctive flavor and aroma.
9. Fennel seeds: Fennel seeds are small, black seeds that are often used as a flavoring agent in Indian dishes or as an essential part of masala mixes.
10. Cardamom pods are small brown pods that are often used as an essential part of masala mixes or to give food a sweet flavor profile. Once the spices are heated through, add your vegetables (carrots, potatoes, etc.) and cook until they’re tender.

If you would like to buy professionally blended Indian spices, here are some great choices:

1. Inner Flame Organic Indian Magic Masala, Best Garam Masala Curry Powder (Blend of 15 Spices)

Why we love it:

• Organic 
• Gluten-free
• Blend of:  Asafoetida, cardamom, red chili, cinnamon, clove, coriander, cumin, fennel, fenugreek, ginger, Himalayan pink salt, tamarind, peppercorn
• 6 Ayurvedic tastes
• Non GMO
• Makes better curries than restaurants
• 100% natural

2. Pride of India – Kitchari Spice Seasoning – Made with Authentic Indian Spices

Why we love it:

• 100% natural
• No salt
• Blend of brown mustard, turmeric, ginger, cumin, fenugreek and Asafoetida powder
• Enjoy superior kitchari recipes at home

3. Eat Well Premium Foods – Garam Masala Spice Blend 4 oz, Salt Free, Authentic Indian Food Spices

Why we love it:

• Delicious, authentic spice profile
• 100%  natural
• No salt
• Highly rated on Amazon

2. Use whole ingredients where possible. Avoid using processed foods in favor of natural items whenever possible.
3. Opt for fresh fruits and vegetables when possible.
4. Use ghee, which is clarified butter, rather than vegetable oil, margarine or regular butter.
5. Avoid using commercial mixes when preparing masala recipes. This will avoid unhealthy and unnecessary additives, stabilizers, and preservatives.
6. Make sure everything is cooked thoroughly before serving. The best way to do this is to simmer dishes slowly on low heat until they’re fully cooked; this ensures that all the flavors have melded together perfectly!

How to make the perfect Dal, an Indian delight

Making dal is an essential part of Indian cuisine, and there are many different recipes and variations based on preferences. Here are four tips on how to make the perfect Indian Dal:

Choose different lentils.

The key to making the perfect Indian dal is to use a blend of different lentils. Typically, you can choose from split peas and red lentils, as well as red or green masoor daals 

Simple version

1. Rinse the lentils well in a colander.
2. Add them to a pot with enough water to cover them by 2 inches.
3. Bring the water to a boil.
4. Reduce the heat to medium-low and simmer for 30 minutes, or until the lentils are soft.

5. Once the lentils are soft, stir in 1 tablespoon of ghee.
6. Optional: Add more water or broth if needed.
7. Add your preferred traditional Indian spices.
8. To give your dal a unique flavor profile, add spices such as cumin seeds, ground coriander, cardamom, cloves, cinnamon sticks, bay leaves, turmeric, and so on.

You can also add some chopped fresh cilantro on top for extra flavor. Serve it hot with rice or naan bread.

Make Dal Like A Celebrity Chef

Want to replicate the dal recipe of culinary expert Atul Kochhar, the first Indian chef to be awarded a Michelin Star?

He gives us a step-by-step guide to creating a traditional Dal Makhani that his mother would make him as a child.

A French chef commented that he made this dal recipe for the staff of 30 at his restaurant for lunch one day. Very few of his staff were familiar with Indian dishes. It was an overwhelming success. Compliments kept rolling in. Weeks later, staff members were still talking about this dal made from Atul Kochar’s recipe in this video from The Food Network UK:

Concluding Thoughts

When are you going to cook up your first or your next pot of fragrant dal?  Hopefully tonight. We hope this article inspired you into cooking an amazing Indian feast.

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