Anyone into making Indian food?

[xfundy]

I used to make it pretty regularly, but I cheated with Patak's jarred spices in oil. Now it looks like they've learned the American market too well, and most places now carry only their "simmer sauces," diluted versions that are used for only one meal, where the old stuff could make 3-6 meals. Same price or slightly higher, of course, for the new stuff.

So, now I'm researching and testing little things, having found an excellent international market not too far away. Already got both Basmati and Jasmine rice and itching to get going on making some good masala, tikka, samosas, butter chicken, naan, etc.

Any tips for a former cheater forced to reform?

[The empressof all]

1. You need to cook your spices

I usually start off with grape seed oil then ginger garlic, toasted cumin seeds, and tumeric. That's where I start off for pretty much all of my Indian dishes. For something simple just marinade chicken cubes in yogurt, garlic, ginger, and cumin and grill or pan saute. There are quite a few Indian cooking sites that are good too.

Here's the one I used yesterday.

http://www.indianfoodforever.com/

And don't be afraid to make Paneer. It's really easy....

[xfundy]

2. Thanks!

Paneer is one of the things I am dying to have again. Thanks for the site info!

[HopeHoops]

3. Red lentil dahl is my eldest daughter's favorite.

I make it everywhere from the simplest (just lentils and what we gave them as one of their baby foods), with black mustard seed and garam masala, and with both of those and veggies like mushrooms, peppers, and summer squash or cauliflower. It turns out great however it is made and the leftovers disappear quickly.

On Edit: Chana dahl is a close competitor. It's a little more grainy but has a different enough flavor to matter.

[The empressof all]

5. Costco also sells some nice fresh sauces

I don't know if it's available nationally or only here in the PNW. They are packaged in tubs over by the fresh pasta section. We've tried the masala and liked it..Very quick and easy to throw over Chicken when you don't feel like making it from scratch.

I'm sorry I don't remember the brand.

They also have frozen Indian breads that can be baked or grilled at home.

[freshwest]

11. I buy their Maya Kaimal brand of fresh Tikka Masala every time I go to COSTCO.

I use it with vegetables, lentils and beans. I've broken down and bought the MTR brand of Palak Paneer and Dal Mahkani from Amazon between trips to buy bulk at COSTCO.

There's an Indian store close to my place but they don't seem to be able to keep up with those two varieties. There is another brand in the grocery stores that doesn't have much taste. They are always good for a cold day.

I just wish there was a dry seasoning mix that contained most of what is in the Tikka Masala or the Dal Mahkani, already prepared in proportions to I could really make it from scratch.

[HappyMe]

6. I used some Kikkoman Masala

Curry sauce recently. Made a delish stir fry sauce.

[Lucinda]

7. I have two great video recipe sites bookmarked

http://www.manjulaskitchen.com/

http://showmethecurry.com/

Techniques and recipes at both places!

[GoCubsGo]

8. I hadn't seen that second site.

What a goldmine! Thanks, Lucinda!

[Lucinda]

9. You are most welcome!

I wander through cooking videos when I am procrastinating, and every now and again I hit the jackpot!

[freshwest]

12. Oh, yes, those are my favorite youtube cooks! I have most of their vids.

Manjula is a real sweetie. There's another one who does good Indian cooking, but I forget his name. Because I used to just watch him, that was before I learned how to download videos.

So it's all the two lovely young ladies and Manjula for me as far as cooking videos, except for the vegetarian, vegan and raw 'cooks,' I watch and follow directions to make good smoothies, etc.

[Lucinda]

13. Isn't it wonderful? The whole world opens up because of the access

we have to these great cooks.
Life is so different with the advent of the internet(s).

[freshwest]

14. I've also found how to dehydrate and can food through demonstrations there,

With conventional methods as well as solar cooking which really does work and it is easy and very cheap. There are great solutions to everything online.

[xfundy]

10. Wow! Thanks, all, for the great replies!

Checking out all the links and brands ASAP. I have tried the Kikkoman curry sauce (the yellow one) and it was OK, just not as strong as I'd like--obviously "Americanized" like too many things. So many cooking sites are just junk, using stolen copy, improper measurements, etc. Always good to have a friend's opinion before searching on my own. Mucho gracias!

Slightly OT, but I have read repeatedly that India has the lowest rate of Alzheimer's. Some scientists believe it's likely the turmeric has protective properties.

Since it runs in my family, I have started putting turmeric in scrambled eggs, chess pie, and anything that is naturally yellow (and some things that aren't!), since it doesn't have a lot of flavor IMO.

[Ruby Reason]

15. Thanks for starting this thread.

It was a helpful one to those of us who like Indian food, but have never attempted to cook it. I might just try. Especially since I had some encouragement and help from another DUer.