Get ready to embark on a culinary adventure to India! Cooking Indian food can seem daunting, but don’t worry, with a little bit of courage and perseverance, you can create mouth-watering Indian dishes that will leave you feeling accomplished and satisfied. So why not step out of your comfort zone and try something new? If you’re feeling intimidated by the prospect of cooking Indian food, here are eight ways to help you approach Indian cooking with courage.
Try Something New
Cooking Indian food requires a willingness to try new things and step outside of your culinary comfort zone. It takes courage to experiment with what you may perceive as unfamiliar spices and ingredients. You’ll be happy to know that delicious and wholesome Indian dishes can be accomplished with a handful of very basic ingredients like cumin, coriander, turmeric, ginger, and garlic. And of course, “garam masala” Indian cooking’s flavor BFF.
The key is to start small and work your way up to more complex dishes. Begin by mastering a few simple recipes, such as chana masala or butter chicken, before moving on to more challenging dishes. As you become more comfortable with the ingredients and techniques, you’ll find that cooking Indian food becomes easier and more enjoyable.
Build Your Confidence
Building confidence in the kitchen comes with time. Here are a few tips to help you build your confidence and become a master of Indian cuisine:
- Experiment with spices: Don’t be afraid to experiment with different spices and flavor combinations. Use your taste buds as a guide and trust your instincts.
- Practice makes perfect: The more you cook Indian food, the more comfortable you’ll become with the ingredients and flavor combinations.
- Learn from the experts: There are many resources available to help you master Indian cooking, including cookbooks, online tutorials, and cooking classes. Take advantage of these resources and learn from the experts.
Embrace Bold Flavors
One of the most important aspects of Indian cooking is the use of bold flavors and spices. From the heat of chili peppers to the sweet aroma of cinnamon, Indian cuisine is all about creating a harmonious blend of flavors that tantalize the taste buds. To cook Indian food with confidence and bravery, don’t be afraid to experiment with new spices and flavor combinations. Try adding a pinch of turmeric to your rice, or a dash of garam masala to your roasted vegetables. Explore and have fun.
Make Mistakes
Mistakes are a natural part of the learning process, and it takes courage to embrace them. Don’t be afraid to make mistakes when cooking Indian food. Use your mistakes as an opportunity to learn and grow. Remember, even the best chefs make mistakes from time to time.
Practice
Finally, the best way to cook Indian food with confidence and bravery is to build your skills through practice and repetition. Practice making your favorite dishes over and over again until you feel confident enough to try something new.
Share Your Creations
Once you’ve mastered some of the dishes, it’s time to share your creations with others. It takes courage to put yourself out there and share your food with others, but the rewards are immeasurable. Seeing the joy on someone’s face when they taste your delicious Indian dishes is a truly gratifying experience.
Cooking Indian food with courage requires a willingness to try new things, overcome intimidation, build confidence, embrace mistakes, and share your creations with others. But the rewards are well worth it! The key is to approach Indian cooking with an open mind and a willingness to learn. So don’t be afraid to step out of your comfort zone and explore the rich and diverse world of Indian cuisine. Who knows, you might just discover a new passion in the kitchen!
Mish Sen is a beloved teacher, turned popular food blogger. Realizing she had figured out shortcuts for creating amazing dishes in a lot fewer steps than it traditionally takes to make Indian dishes, she shares her recipes with as many people as she could. Mish shares through her popular food blog on Instagram @eatswithmish. Her cookbook, Indian Kitchen Secrets: 52 Easy-to-Make Indian Recipes for Beginners is available exclusively on Amazon. Mish teaches one-on-one as well as group cooking lessons and has hosted several online Indian cooking shows. She lives with her husband in Minnesota. For more information visit https://www.mishsen.com.
8 Responses
Thank you for this helpful article, Mish! It can be a little intimidating to cook something new, so this is reassuring. I’ll have to get in the kitchen soon and give it a try! 🙂
Hi Ivy, I’m so grateful for your kind words! Embracing new flavors and dishes sure can be overwhelming but remember, every great cook has to start somewhere. Be fearless in your kitchen experiments and trust me, it’ll become second nature before you know it! I am just a comment away if you ever need any help or advice while you’re in the midst of your culinary adventures. Happy cooking! 🙂
This looks amazing! I haven’t tried making Indian food myself before, but it might be time… 😀
Hi Sarah, I’m so excited to hear this! I hope you’ll try and please reach out with any questions.
What a wonderful article! As a young, inexperienced cook this article is encouraging, and makes the daunting task of Indian cooking a manageable endeavor. Also, the eatswithmish cookbook has made it possible to eat some of my favorite dishes without having to eat out.
Hi Arjun, I really appreciate your comment! Thanks so much for getting my cookbook as well and letting me know how it has helped you. Please reach out with questions anytime!
Love this…and love learning from an expert, like you, Mish! Try something new, build confidence, embrace the bold and the mistakes, practice, and share. Lesson for cooking, and lessons for life. Thank you!
Thank you Pat, for your heartfelt comment, it means a lot! Indeed these suggestions could all be applied to life as we navigate it.