Introduction
Do you love Indian food? Do you think it takes too long to cook? Many people believe Indian cooking is hard and time-consuming. This is not always true! You can make tasty Indian meals quickly at home. This blog post will show you how. We will share ten kitchen shortcuts. These shortcuts will save you time and effort. You will cook delicious Indian food more often. Are you ready to cook faster and eat better? Let’s start with these top ten tips.
1. Embrace Pre-Chopped Vegetables
Vegetable chopping takes time. Many Indian dishes need chopped onions, ginger, and garlic. You can save time by buying pre-chopped vegetables. Most grocery stores sell these now. Look for pre-chopped onions, ginger, and garlic in containers or bags. These are ready to use right away.
Benefits:
- Saves Time: You skip the entire chopping process. This is a big time-saver, especially on busy days.
- Convenient: Pre-chopped vegetables are ready when you are. No need to peel or chop.
- Reduces Mess: Less chopping means less mess on your cutting board.
How to Use:
- Buy pre-chopped onions, ginger, and garlic from the store.
- Store them in your refrigerator until you need them.
- Use them directly in your Indian recipes.
2. Ginger Garlic Paste: Your Instant Flavor Booster
Ginger and garlic are essential in Indian cooking. Making fresh ginger garlic paste takes time and effort. A great shortcut is using ready-made ginger garlic paste. You can find this in jars or tubes at most grocery stores, especially Indian stores.
Benefits:
- Quick and Easy: Ready-made paste is instant. Just spoon it out and use it.
- Consistent Flavor: Commercial pastes offer consistent flavor.
- Long Shelf Life: Store-bought pastes last longer than fresh paste.
How to Use:
- Buy ginger garlic paste from the store.
- Keep it in your refrigerator after opening.
- Use it in recipes just like fresh paste, usually 1-2 teaspoons per dish.
3. Pressure Cooker or Instant Pot: Speed Up Cooking Time
Pressure cookers and Instant Pots are game-changers. They cook food much faster than traditional methods. Indian cooking often involves lentils, beans, and tough meats. These ingredients can take hours to cook on the stovetop. A pressure cooker or Instant Pot can cook them in minutes.
Benefits:
- Faster Cooking: Reduces cooking time significantly for lentils, beans, and meats.
- Tender Results: Pressure cooking makes meats very tender.
- One-Pot Cooking: Many Indian dishes can be cooked entirely in a pressure cooker.
How to Use:
- Learn to use a pressure cooker or Instant Pot. Follow safety instructions carefully.
- Find Indian recipes adapted for pressure cookers. Many online resources exist.
- Cook lentils, beans, chickpeas, and meats like chicken and mutton quickly.
4. Pre-Mixed Spice Blends: Flavor Made Simple
Indian cooking uses many spices. Measuring and mixing spices for each dish can be time-consuming. Pre-mixed spice blends are a convenient shortcut. Garam masala, curry powder, and sambhar masala are examples of popular blends.
Benefits:
- Saves Time: No need to measure out individual spices. Use one blend for many flavors.
- Easy for Beginners: Spice blends simplify flavoring for new cooks.
- Consistent Taste: Blends offer a balanced flavor profile.
How to Use:
- Buy pre-mixed spice blends from stores. Choose blends that match the dish you are making.
- Use them according to recipe instructions. Start with less and add more to taste.
- Experiment with different brands to find your preferred flavors.
5. Coconut Milk Powder: Instant Creaminess
Coconut milk is often used in Indian curries and dishes, especially in South Indian and coastal cuisine. Fresh or canned coconut milk can sometimes be inconvenient to store or use. Coconut milk powder is a great alternative. It dissolves in water to make coconut milk instantly.
Benefits:
- Long Shelf Life: Coconut milk powder lasts much longer than canned milk.
- Convenient Storage: Powder is easier to store than bulky cans.
- Control Consistency: Adjust water amount to get desired coconut milk thickness.
How to Use:
- Buy coconut milk powder.
- Mix it with warm water according to package directions to make coconut milk.
- Use the reconstituted coconut milk in your recipes as needed.
6. One-Pot Indian Dishes: Less Fuss, Less Cleanup
One-pot dishes are fantastic shortcuts. You cook everything in a single pot. This reduces cooking time and minimizes cleanup. Many delicious Indian dishes can be made in one pot, like biryani, pulao, and some types of curries.
Benefits:
- Reduced Cleanup: Only one pot to wash after cooking.
- Simplified Cooking: Fewer steps and pots to manage.
- Flavorful Results: Ingredients cook together, enhancing flavors.
How to Use:
- Search for “one-pot Indian recipes” online.
- Try recipes for one-pot biryani, vegetable pulao, or simple chicken curry.
- Follow the recipe instructions carefully for best results.
7. Meal Prep Curry Bases: Cook Once, Eat Multiple Times
Making a curry base from scratch can take time. A smart shortcut is to prepare a large batch of basic curry base in advance. You can then use this base to quickly make various curries throughout the week.
Benefits:
- Time Saving: Reduces cooking time on busy weeknights.
- Efficient Cooking: Cook once, eat multiple times.
- Versatile: One base can be used for different types of curries by adding vegetables, meats, or lentils.
How to Use:
- Prepare a large batch of basic onion-tomato curry base. Many recipes are available online.
- Store the base in portions in your refrigerator or freezer.
- When ready to cook, simply add your protein or vegetables to the base and simmer until cooked.
8. Frozen Vegetables: Convenience in Your Freezer
Fresh vegetables are great, but frozen vegetables are very convenient. They are pre-cut and ready to cook. Frozen vegetables are perfect for quick Indian curries and side dishes. Peas, carrots, mixed vegetables, and spinach are good options.
Benefits:
- Ready to Use: No washing or chopping needed.
- Long Shelf Life: Frozen vegetables last for months in the freezer.
- Nutritious: Frozen vegetables are often frozen at peak freshness, retaining nutrients.
How to Use:
- Keep a variety of frozen vegetables in your freezer.
- Add them directly to your Indian dishes during cooking. No need to thaw most frozen vegetables for curries.
- Adjust cooking time slightly as frozen vegetables may cook faster.
9. Simplified Indian Recipes: Focus on Easy Dishes
Not all Indian recipes are complex. Many delicious and simple Indian dishes exist. Focus on learning these simpler recipes first. Daal tadka, vegetable stir-fries (sabzi), and basic chicken curry can be made quickly and easily.
Benefits:
- Beginner-Friendly: Simple recipes are easy to learn and follow.
- Faster Cooking: Fewer ingredients and steps mean less cooking time.
- Still Delicious: Simple recipes can be just as flavorful and satisfying.
How to Use:
- Search for “easy Indian recipes” or “beginner Indian recipes” online.
- Start with recipes that have fewer ingredients and shorter cooking times.
- Build your confidence with simpler dishes before trying more complex recipes.
10. Kitchen Gadgets: Your Speedy Assistants
Kitchen gadgets can significantly speed up Indian cooking. Food processors, blenders, and vegetable choppers can quickly handle tasks that are usually time-consuming.
Benefits:
- Faster Chopping: Food processors and choppers chop vegetables in seconds.
- Smooth Pastes and Purees: Blenders create smooth pastes and purees quickly.
- Less Manual Work: Gadgets reduce manual effort in the kitchen.
How to Use:
- Invest in a good food processor, blender, or vegetable chopper if you cook often.
- Use these gadgets to chop vegetables, make pastes, and blend sauces for Indian dishes.
- Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for safe and efficient use.
Conclusion: Indian Cooking Made Easy
Indian food does not have to be difficult or time-consuming. These ten kitchen shortcuts will help you cook delicious Indian meals faster and more easily. From using pre-chopped vegetables to pressure cooking and embracing simple recipes, these tips are for everyone. Busy professionals, beginner cooks, health-conscious individuals, and all home cooks can benefit. Start using these shortcuts today. Enjoy the amazing flavors of Indian food without spending hours in the kitchen!
Ready to try these shortcuts? Which tip will you use first? Share your thoughts and favorite Indian food shortcuts in the comments below!
