I
ndia is a vast country with many flavours. The ingredients that you will need to cook Indian food depend on its provenance.Although Indian cuisine may seem daunting, it is possible to make them accessible by using the right ingredients. Some pantry staples can give Indian food a lot of flavour without adding too much complexity.
Below we have listed five main ingredients used in Indian Recipes with their uses and health benefits.
Cumin
This spice is your go-to for Indian cooking. It is believed to be the foundation of many North Indian dishes. It is an excellent addition to chicken, potatoes, and vegetables because of its smoky, nutty flavour. You can easily make Indian food with cumin if you don’t have any other spices.
Benefits:
Promotes Digestion
is a rich source of iron
Contains Beneficial Plant Compounds
Helps with Diabetes
May Increase Blood Cholesterol
Promotes Weight Loss and Fat Reduction
May Prevent Food-Borne Illnesses
May Fight Inflammation
Turmeric
Turmeric, a rhizome, looks like ginger but has bright orange flesh. It also has an earthy taste. Although you can grate fresh turmeric, it is commonly used in a powdered form as the main ingredient in most curry recipes. You can use it in an Indian dish called kadhi (turmeric yoghurt soup) and various chicken dishes.
Benefits:
It helps treat indigestion.
Has Anti-inflammatory Properties
Antidepressant in nature
Helps with cancer
Helps cure Period Issues
Possess Skin Care Properties
Beneficial for Hair
Coriander
Both the coriander seeds and their leaves are used in Indian cuisine. Although the health benefits of coriander leaves and seeds are similar, they can make a significant difference in Indian cuisine’s flavour. Both the leaves and roots have potent anti-inflammatory properties that can induce urination to treat urinary infections.
The coriander seeds are essential for making Punjabi saag paneer. These are dried seeds of cilantro. They have a citrusy taste. The green herbaceous portion of the plant containing cilantro can be used for garnish in many Indian dishes. You can also use the stems to add flavour to your dish.
Benefits:
It may help lower blood sugar
Rich in immune-boosting antioxidants
It may benefit heart health
May protect brain health
May promote digestion and gut health
May fight infections
May protect your skin
Easy to add to your diet
Poppy Seeds
Poppy seeds are a great source of fibre. Regular consumption can help lower cholesterol levels, aid digestion, and even assist in weight loss. You can find Poppy seeds in traditional recipes and baked goods all over the world. The oil and the seeds are believed to have many health benefits. They can be used to treat headaches, coughs and even cure asthma.
Poppy seeds don’t have any heat. They have a mild flavour with a sweet undertone. When roasted, they taste slightly nutty.
Benefits:
- Rich in nutrients and antioxidants
- It may contain pain-relieving compounds
- May boost heart and skin health
- Improvement of Fertility
- Fights insomnia
- Improves Cardiovascular Health
- Regulation of Blood Pressure
- Helps in treating Kidney Stones
Clove
Indians sometimes like to chew a clove. This helps to combat bad breath naturally. For pregnant women, clove can be used to treat morning sickness. This versatile spice is available in whole or ground form, and you can use it to add flavour to hot beverages and add spicy warmth to cakes and cookies.
You might be familiar with cloves as a key ingredient in gingerbread or a common spice in Indian cuisine. Cloves are most well-known as sweet and aromatic spices; however, you can also use them in traditional medicine.
Benefits:
- May help protect against cancer
- Can kill bacteria
- May improve liver health
- It may help regulate blood sugar
- May promote bone health
- May reduce stomach ulcers
- High in antioxidants
