Indian meals often have delicious accompaniments such as ghee, dahi, achar, and kandi podi to further lend flavor to subjis, dals, and flatbreads. They act as side dishes or toppings and enhance the flavor of the food. While these items can be easily purchased at the local desi grocery store, they all taste better when made at home and not to mention it is cheaper to make at home and without any unhealthy preservatives!
We share with you some of our favorite recipes for these Indian staples.
Directions
Place butter in medium saucepan over medium-high heat. Bring butter to boil, which will take approximately 2 to 3 minutes. As soon as the butter begins to boil, reduce the heat/flame to medium.
The butter will form a foam which will disappear. Butter becomes ghee when a second foam forms on top of butter, and the butter turns golden. This process takes approximately 7 to 8 minutes.
Brown milk solids will be in the bottom of the pan. Gently pour into a heat proof container through fine mesh strainer or cheesecloth. Store in airtight container.
Note: So as not to compromise your ghee, make sure to keep it free from moisture. Ghee does not require refrigeration. It can be stored in an airtight container for up to 1 month.
Directions
Prepare an ice bath, filling a large bowl ice.
Attach a thermometer to a heavy, large pot and add 1-quart milk. Place the pot over moderate heat. Cook the milk until the thermometer registers at least 180°F. Stir occasionally to prevent a skin from forming and making sure the milk doesn’t scorch pot or boil over. Remove the milk from the heat/flame. Cool it to 110°F to 115°F.
In a separate bowl, combine remaining 1 cup warm milk with yogurt. Add the yogurt-milk mixture to the remaining warm milk. Stir to fully incorporate but do NOT stir vigorously.
Ladle mixture into a yogurt maker or another container. Incubate between 110°F and 115°F for 5 to 10 hours. Do NOT disturb yogurt during this time. (The longer the incubation time, the thicker and more tart the yogurt consistency and taste is.)
Cover the yogurt and refrigerate for 3 hours. Store yogurt in the refrigerator in a glass or plastic container for up to 2 weeks.
Directions
Cut ginger into thin, diagonal strips. Place in a bowl and combine with salt. Set aside for 10 minutes so ginger will soften and release moisture.
Cut chilies diagonally into thin, long slices to match the consistency of the ginger. Add the chilies and lemon juice to the ginger and stir. Rest for 15 minutes.
Transfer ginger pickle to a clean and dry glass jar or container.
Directions
Heat a heavy bottomed pot over medium heat/flame; place both dals in a pot and dry roast for 5 minutes until a little color is achieved. Stir throughout so the dal is not scorched. Remove from pot and keep aside.
In the same pot, add the cumin seeds and roast over medium to low heat about 2 minutes. Remove from pot; reserve.
Add oil to the pot over medium heat; add red chilies and curry leaves and roast for 2 to 3 minutes. Remove and cool.
Once all roasted ingredients are cooled, grind/pulsate together, maintaining a slightly coarse texture. Transfer to mixing bowl and add salt and asafoetida. Store in an air-tight container.
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[Photo Source: Pinterest]
[Photo Source: Pinterest]
