Indian cuisine is a treasure trove of spices. It has been a hot spot of trade for centuries — so much so that many nations have sought to colonize and exploit the country for its resources. Perhaps the most infamous colonizer was the British Empire. Even today, many of England’s most popular dishes are directly influenced by Indian cuisine. In fact, Chicken Tikka Masala is England’s national dish!
Spices such as tamarind, cumin, turmeric, and coriander are essential to Indian cooking. Most homes have a masala dabba in their kitchen, which is a spice box containing seven frequently used Indian spices. Garam masala is a blend of warming spices that everyone uses (though ingredients vary slightly from family to family). Typical spices in this seasoning blend include cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, fennel, cumin, peppercorns, and coriander. Many traditional Indian dishes have the word “masala” in their names, literally meaning “spices.”
Popular Indian Dishes
When many people think of Indian food, they tend to think of curry. It’s true, Rogan Josh (lamb curry) and Chicken Vindaloo (spicy chicken curry) are popular Indian dishes. But there are so many other popular Indian recipes that make up this vibrant South Asian cuisine. One of the most common is biryani, which is a spiced, long-grained rice dish usually made with basmati rice. There are numerous varieties of biryani, but probably the most popular is Hyderabadi Biryani, which consists of marinated lamb or chicken.
Kofta, or Indian meatballs in curry sauce, is also a popular meal, while Indian street foods include kebabs, pakora (vegetable fritters), and chaat (puffed rice cracker or flaky samosa) with various fillings and chutneys.
Indian Spices at Supermarket Italy
While Supermarket Italy focuses mainly on Italian and European foods, our international catalog is always expanding. At our online grocery store, you’ll find traditional Indian spices, such as tamarind and cumin, to cook your favorite Indian recipes at home.
