Stocking up an Indian Pantry

Just as India’s diverse culture, Indian cooking varies widely from region to region. The ingredients used in Indian Cooking are vast. A newly married Indian woman will often face a challenge when it comes to stocking a pantry with essential ingredients.

These are some of the essential ingredients needed for South Indian Cooking.

Spices Powders commonly used

1. Turmeric Powder
2. Red Chilly Powder
3. Coriander Powder
4. Cumin Powder (Jeera)
5. Black Pepper Powder
6. Garam Masala Powder

Spices Powders used sparingly

1. Asfoetida
2. Fenugreek Powder
3. Fennel Seeds Powder

Whole Spices

1. Cinnamon
2. Cardamom
3. Cloves
4. Star Anise
5. Fennel Seeds
6. Cumin
7. Coriander Seeds
8. Fenugreek Seeds
9. Nutmeg
10. Mace
11. Mustard Seeds
12. Whole Black Peppercorns
13. Dried Red Chillies
14. Bay Leaves

Lentils & Legumes

1. Different Varieties of Dal like Moong dal, Masoor Dal, Toor Dal, Sambar Dal, Urad dal
2. Black Chickpeas
3. White Chickpeas (Kabuli Chana)
4. Green Gram (Moong Beans)
5. Red Beans
6. Green Peas
7. Peanuts

Different Types of Flour

1. Rice Flour
2. Whole Wheat Flour (Atta)
3. Maida (Plain Flour)
4. Chickpea Flour (Besan)
5. Rava (Semolina)

Tea/Coffee

1. Tea leaves or Tea dust (eg. Brooke Bond Red Label, Tajmahal, 3 Roses)
2. Coffee Powder (eg. Brook Bond Bru Green Label)
3. Instant Coffee (eg. Bru, Nescafe)

Fresh Herbs

1. Curry Leaves
2. Cilantro/Coriander Leaves
3. Mint Leaves

Different Kinds of Rice

1. Parboiled Rice (eg. Sona Masoori, Ponni Rice)
2. Basmathi Rice (for making Biryani, Pulav, Fried Rice)
3. Raw Rice (for making Idli, Dosa, Appam)

Fresh Ingredients

1. Onion
2. Shallots
3. Ginger Garlic
4. Green Chillies
5. Coconut

Other Ingredients

1. Oil
2. Tamarind
3. Sugar
4. Salt
5. Jaggery
6. Pappadam
7. Cashews
8. Raisins
9. Corn flour/starch
10. Broken Wheat