Hi, I’m Mandy, and I’m thrilled you found my website! And yes, you’ve guessed it, I’m not Indian! So, how did I come to have an entire website focusing on Indian food?
My love of India began many, many years ago when I was a small child. I was fascinated by the flavors of Indian food, the complexity of the dishes, and how all the spices worked in beautiful harmony. And that bread—wow! I loved the naans, which are much better than the sliced bread I was used to!
But little did I know that the best flavors were still to come. I remember my first trip to India and being AMAZED at the smells, tastes, and flavors of the street food. Eat in posh hotels? No thanks. The street was where it was, and those small kitchens at the side of the road where the locals were, was where I wanted to be.
I loved every moment I’ve spent in India and feel very privileged to have been invited into a chef's kitchen to have him cook my meal in front of me and to explain how he made the best Aloo Gobi in the world! A street vendor showed me how to make the most delicious Masala Dosa, and an incredibly kind family invited me to their home to cook for me. They were such wonderful cooks that I couldn’t resist asking for the recipe for Paneer Biryani.
So, when my friend Shilpa asked me if I’d like to take over Easy Indian Cookbook, I jumped at the chance. Have a website based around my favorite food? Hell yes!
That’s my story. Over the next months and years, I’ll be adding recipes and dishes that I’ve loved straight from India, and I hope you’ll enjoy them as much as the existing recipes.
My Favorite Recipes...
New to Indian cooking? Start here...
Welcome to the world of Indian cooking! It's a vibrant and flavorful cuisine that offers a wide variety of dishes and ingredients. Here are a few tips to help you get started:
- Start with the basics: Indian cuisine is built on a foundation of aromatic spices, so begin by stocking up on essential spices such as cumin, coriander, turmeric, chili powder, garam masala, and mustard seeds. You can also purchase pre-made spice blends like curry powder or sambar powder.
- Invest in a few key tools: To make Indian dishes, you'll need a few kitchen tools like a heavy-bottomed pot or a pressure cooker (or the Instant Pot) for making dal or curries, a large
frying pan for roasting spices or frying, a spice grinder for freshly ground spices, and a mortar and pestle to crush fresh herbs. - Experiment with different dishes: Indian cuisine is incredibly diverse and offers an extensive range of vegetarian and non-vegetarian dishes, from flavorful curries and rice dishes to richly spiced meats and savory bread. Experimenting with different flavors and ingredients is a great way to develop your skills and discover your personal preferences in Indian cooking.
- Familiarize yourself with the ingredients: Indian cuisine uses a wide variety of ingredients, some of which may be unfamiliar to you. Take the time to learn about the different lentils, grains, vegetables, and spices used in Indian cooking and how they are used in various dishes.
- Don't be afraid to adjust the spice level: Indian food is known for its bold and robust flavors. If you're not used to eating foods with many different varieties of spices in them, adjust the spice level to your liking. You can also tone down the heat by adding yogurt or coconut milk to dishes.
Remember not to get overwhelmed with the spices. They are all easily available not only in Indian grocery stores but also in Walmart, Trader Joe's, and online stores like Amazon. With some practice and patience, you'll soon be whipping up delicious and authentic Indian dishes like butter chicken and saag paneer in your own kitchen!