Known worldwide for the spectacular Taj Mahal, India not only boasts fabulous architecture but also an exquisite cuisine. There are several herbs and spices used in Indian dishes, with a few reaching common use and becoming the most popular.

There are several ingredients that are commonly found in Indian cuisine. They include rice, wheat flour, lentils and split peas, as well as vegetable oils and ghee, or clarified butter. Some of the most popular Indian food spices are chili peppers, mustard seed, turmeric, fenugreek seed, ginger root, coriander seed, cumin seed and garlic. There is a spice blend known as garam masala that is widely used in Indian cooking, and although the exact recipe varies according to geographical region, it often consists of cardamom, cloves, cinnamon, pepper, cumin and coriander. Curry powder is also used as one of the most popular Indian spices for cooking.

Indian Cuisine is Enjoyed Around the World

Dishes that you will likely find in the northern parts of India include Naan, which is a flat bread, and Tandoori Chicken, which is chicken marinated in spices and yogurt and then baked in a tandoor oven. Butter Chicken, another northern favorite, also utilizes a yogurt marinade but includes tomato puree in the sauce. Samosas, which are little dough pockets filled with a variety of vegetables, cheeses or meats, are deep fried and often served with seasoned yogurt sauces as accompaniments. Kebabs of meat cubes that are placed on skewers and grilled are also popular. In general the dishes favored in Northern India are mildly spiced.

Biryani is a dish that is often served in the southern part of India. A pan of rice is cooked, and forms a base upon which is placed cooked vegetables, possibly cooked meats, and a seasoned sauce. The sauce may be spiced with garam masala, ginger, garlic, mint leaves and saffron. Southern Indian dishes gravitate toward spicy and hot flavors.

A curry is a dish that includes a sauce or gravy. Curries vary by region in India, but often include the Indian food spices cumin, fenugreek, coriander, turmeric and red pepper, and contain a bit of spicy heat.

Dal is an Indian dish that is made from lentils or beans. It has the thickness of a stew, and may be eaten with rice or flat bread. Lentils are also used to make a soup called Sambar, which uses the Indian food spices of tamarind, asafoetida and turmeric.

You can easily stock garam masala and other of the most popular Indian spices for cooking in your kitchen spice rack so that you will always be prepared to create these zesty dishes at home.

For you convenience, Starwest Botanicals carries a full line of jar spices as a part their extensive line of spices.