
Known for an array of spices, Indian food has a beautiful blend of tastes. The right cooking tools are vital when trying to replicate the authentic taste of India. Regardless of experience, the right Indian cooking pots and other utensils can drastically improve the quality of food being cooked. If you are in the market looking for some Indian Cookware utensils, this guide is perfect from Indian Cooking Pots to Indian Mixer Grinders.
1. Understanding the Different Types of Indian Cookware
A) Kadhai (Indian Wok)
Kadhai, which is one of the most prominent Indian cooking utensils, is a fond deep an broad wok with high sides, ideal for stir frying because of its great depth. These can be found in a variety of materials such as stainless steel, cast iron, and non-stick.
- Best for: Frying bhaji, preparing curries, and doing stir-frying.
- Tip: For a more reliable option, opt for cast iron or stainless steel kadhai’s as they are more durable and evenly distribute heat.
B) Tawa (Griddle)
A tawa is a flat or slightly concave pan used for making rotis, parathas, dosas, and pancakes. It comes in cast iron, non-stick, and aluminum varieties
- Best for: Ideal for making Indian breads such as chapatis and dosa.
- Tip: A cast iron tawa maintains temperature and gives a dosa a crisp texture.
c) Handi: Cooking Pot
A handi is an Indian Cooking Pot with deeper, round bottoms and is used for cooking basmati rice with meat and spices along with lentil dishes like biryanis and dals. It has thick walls for even cooking and better flavor.
- Best for: Dum biriyani, slow-cooked curries, and lentils.
- Tip: Traditional recipes cooked in clay or copper handi taste better
d) Pressure Cooker:
When it comes to Indian cuisine, pressure cooker is the most common and essential device found in every kitchen making cooking fast and effortless. It’s very handy while preparing dals, rice, or even stews because it cuts the usual time required to prepare such food into half.
- Best for: Cooking lentils, rice, and curries, perf expertly and fast.
- Tip: Consider a stainless steel pressure cooker for strength and safety.
e) Indian Mixer Grinder:
An Indian mixer grinder is a multi-functional machine that can grind spices, make chutneys, and blend different types of batters. It has become a must-have accessory in every Indian kitchen.
- Best for: Grinding masalas, chutney, or dosa/idli batter
- Tip: A mixer grinder with multiple jars for different types of spices is ideal.
Material Selection for Cookware
Stainless Steel
- Benefits: Long lasting, rust proof, and easy to clean.
- Drawbacks: Poor heat retention compared to cast iron.
- Ideal Use: Ideal for kadhai, pressure cookers, and saucepans.
Cast Iron
- Benefits: Heat retention and non-stick properties when seasoned.
- Drawbacks: Needs regular seasoning to avoid rusting.
- Ideal Use: Best for Tawa, kadhai, and dosa pans.
Copper
- Benefits: Fast heating and enhances taste.
- Drawbacks: Needs regular polishing and can react with acidic ingredients.
- Ideal Use: Ideal for handis and serving pots.
Clay
- Benefits: Adds unique earthy taste and eco-friendly.
- Drawbacks: Breakable, requires soaking for proper use.
- Ideal Use: Best for cooking slow cooked curries and dals.
Non Stick
- Benefits: Effortless to wash, consumes lesser oil.
- Drawbacks: Have a shorter lifespan, and poor high temperature tolerance.
Ideal Use: Best for tawas, frying pans, and dosa pans.
Crucial Considerations in Purchasing Indian Cookware
a)Strength and Life Expectancy
Buy cookware that can withstand a lot of use blithely. Stainless steel and cast iron are friendly to the user and last over time.
b) Your Cooking Techniques
If you love leisurely cooking, a clay handi is the right fit for you whereas pressure cookers are a must-use if prepping food in a hurry is your forte.
c) Manageable
Various materials have differing degrees of upkeep. Non-stick pans need extra care to minimize scratches whereas cast iron needs oil to be seasoned in it.
d) Amount of Money
Cookware can be expensive, especially in the case of high quality items, though it can be seen as a lifetime investment. Reasonably priced and durable Indian cooking tools are available from DesiClik.
e) Type of Cooker
It is important to check that the cookware you have picked matches your cooker, be it induction, electric, or gas.
Care Tips For your Indian Cookware
- Cast Iron: Apply some oil on it to keep it seasoned and rust free.
- Stainless Steel: Use a weak detergent to keep it stain free.
- Clay Pots: Before first use, soak it in water to avoid crackling.
- Non-stick pans: It is best to use silicone or wooden cooking utensils to eliminate scratches.
Where to Buy True Indian Cookware
Looking for Indian cooking tools of international quality is not easy, but you can find genuine Indian Cooking Pots and Indian mixer grinders and many more from DesiClik. This way, you purchase from a verified brand and receive Khmer kitchen essentials of quality, durability and authenticity.
Conclusion
While making a choice for Indian cooking utensils for your kitchen, cooking style, budget, and maintenance preferences will have to be taken into consideration. For example, a powerful Indian mixer grinder and a durable Indian Cooking Pot are some of the bare minimum essentials that you need in your kitchen to be able to love cooking, and in turn, savoring authentic Indian food. DesiClik has a wide variety of traditional and modern cookware designed to empower you to cook various Indian delightful cuisines.
Ready to upgrade your kitchen? Browse the finest selection of Indian cookware at DesiClik today!