Need Help with Indian Cooking Basics
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Posted by
h/rahul_k
Hey everyone, I’m totally lost with cooking Indian food. Can someone give me a super simple step-by-step guide for beginners? Like, I don’t even know where to start.
I want to learn how to make basic dishes, maybe something like dal or a simple curry? And what are the essential spices I need to have in my kitchen?
If you have any tips on where to buy ingredients around Delhi or quick recipes, that’d be awesome. Thanks!
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Log InBasic dal (masoor or toor) — super simple:
1) Wash 1 cup dal, add 3 cups water, 1/2 tsp turmeric, pinch of salt.
2) Pressure cook 3–4 whistles or simmer 20–25 min till soft.
3) Heat 2 tbsp oil/ghee, add 1 tsp cumin seeds, 1 chopped onion, cook till soft.
4) Add 1 chopped tomato, 1 tsp red chili powder, 1 tsp coriander powder, cook 3 min.
5) Pour this tempering into the cooked dal, simmer 5 min, adjust salt, garnish with cilantro.
Quick veg curry: sauté onion+ginger+garlic, add spices and tomato, add chopped veggies + water, simmer 15–20 min.
Essentials to keep: turmeric, cumin seeds, mustard seeds, coriander powder, red chili powder, garam masala, hing, salt.
Where to buy around Delhi: Khari Baoli for spices, INA market, local kirana stores, or BigBasket/Swiggy Instamart for quick delivery.