KNAC� MAKE IT EASY INDIAN COOKING KNACK INDIAN COOKING A Step-by-Step Guide to Authentic Dishes Made Easy MEENAKSHI AGARWAL PhotogbryaP pehtAyer rd aintSdou sBaynr nes KNAC MAKE IT EASY 9�,� An imprint of Globe Pequot Press To buy books in quantity for corporate use or incentives, call (800) 962-0973 or e-mail [email protected]. ® KNAC� M A K E IT E A S Y Copyri©g h20t10 byM orrBioso kP ublishLiLnCg , Thei nformaitni otnbh oioski st ruaen dc omplettoet heb esotf o ur knowledAglerl.e commendatairomena sd ew ithoguuta ranotne e ALLR IGHTRSE SERVENDo.p arotft hibso okm ayb er eproduocre d thep arotft hea uthoorrG lobPee quoPtr esTsh.ea uthaonrd G lobe transmiitnta endyf ormb ya nym eans, elecotrmr eocnhiacn ical,P equoPtr esdsi sclaainmyl iabiilnci otnyn ectwiiotnth h eu seo f includpihnogt ocopyainndgr ecordionrgb ,y a nyi nformationt hiisn formation. storaagnedr etriseyvsatle emx,c eapstm ayb ee xprespselrym itted inw ritifnrgo mt hep ublisRheeqru.e sftospr e rmisssihoonu lbde addressteoGd l obPee quoPtr esAst,t nR:i ghtasn dP ermissions DepartmePn.O.t B,o x4 80, GuilfoCrT0d 6,43 7. Knaciksa registetrreadd emaorfMk o rrPiusb lishGirnogu pL,L (, andi su sewdi tehx prepsesr mission. EditionCr h ieMfa:u reeGnr aney EditKoart:iB ee noit CoveDre sigPna:u Ble atrBirceeKt,e rr InterDieosri gPna:u Ble atrice LayouCta:s eSyh ain CovePrh otobsyP eteArr diatnod S usaBny rnes AlIln terPihoort obsy P eteArr ditaon dS usaBny rnewsi tht he exceptoifop n.2 5 (rig©h Bty)gestudio/Dreamstime.com LibraorfCy o ngreCsast aloging-in-PDuabtliais ac vaatiiloaonbn l e file. ISB9N7 8-1-59921-618-8 PrintienCd h ina 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 Dedication Photographers' Acknowledgments To my parents, for molding me into who I am today. To my The pungent fragrances of the Indian kitchen are still fresh husband, Atul, for adding f1avor to my life. in our memories as we write these words. Many thanks to all for making this project a success: Maureen Graney for Acknowledgments selecting us to be part of this wonderful project. To Meena Maureen and Katie, you are rock stars, and I couldn't have Agarwal for creating tasty dishes that delight both the pal­ brought life to this project without you. My friends and fam­ ate and the eye. To our food stylist Grace Kwon for her skill ily, you are always ready to taste anything out of my kitchen and patience. Her contributions were invaluable. with a smile on your face! And most importantly, to my blog Peter Ardito and Susan Byrnes, readers, who inspire me to always keep cooking. I thank you Ardito+ Byrnes Photography all for your love and support. Happy eating! Meena Agarwal (www.hookedonheat.com) CO NTENTS Itnorducti.o.n. ................... . . . . .vi.ii. .C.h.ap.ter. 6:. Sa.la.ds. . . . . . Chikcpe&a P otaStaol .a.d. . . ........................5..0 Chapter 1: Tools & Equipment SpiCcoyr Sna l.a.d. . . . . . . . . .......... . . . . . . ..........5..2 Pot&s P ans. ..................................x..ii.. ..Sp.ie.cdC. a bbagSelw a . . . . ...... . . . . . . . . . . . ..........5...4 Utesni.l..s. ............................ . . . ............2. . Mitn& CucmuberS al.a.d. . . . . .. . . . . . . . . .............5..6 SpceilEa qupiment.. .................................4. . Chapter7 : Chicken Chapter 2: Spices & Dried Herbs ClsasiCchi ckenr r.Cy.u . . . . . . . . . ....................5..8. See.d.s. .... . . . . . . . . . . . . . ...................... . . .....6. . CreamyC hickweint Rhai si. .n.s. . ..... . . .............6.0. WholSepi ce. .s. . . . . . . . . . . . . . ................. .........8. Cinltaor Chiecnk. ...... . . . . . . . . .......... . . . .........6..2 SpicPeo wedsr. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ................. . ....1. .0 AlmondC hcikeCnu rr.y. . . . . . . . . ....................6..4. Seaosnign Spice. .s. . . . . . . . . . . . . ......................1. 2 SauetedC hiecnkw itPho tat.o.e. .s. . . . . . . ...........6..6 DrieLde av.e..s. ............. . . . ............. . . . . . .1. .4. . GingCehirc k.e.n.. ................................ . . .6.8 Chapter3 : Indian Market Basket Chapter 8: Ground Meat Lentli.s. . . . . . . . . .......... . . . . . . .................. . . .1. .6 MinecdL ambw itPhea s. .......................... . .7. .0 Flosu .r........ . . . . . . ............ . . . ................ . .1.8 MincedL amb& PotaCtuor r.y. .......................7.2 CookinSgtpa le.s. . . . . . . . .............. . . . ........ . . .2.0. MeatalbClu rr.y.. .................................7.4.. .. FershH er.b.s. ... . . . . . . .................. . . . . . .....2..2. . SpiHceyr beBdug rer.s. ............................7..6 .. Paneer. . ................. . . . . ............ . . . . . ........2.4 MinecdC hiecnkw itShp ina.c..h. ...................7.8. Chikcen-SteudZff uccihn..i. ...................8.0.. ..... Chapter4 : Appetizers PotaStaom soa.s.. ........ . . . . . . . . . . .............. . . .2. .6 Chapter9 : Lamb JalaepnoP aneePro ppse. r. . . . . . ............... . . . . .2. .8. Lamb& Lentli St.e. .w. . . . . . . . . ............ . . . . . . .8.2. . . . MasaPloap corin cCk.he.n. . . ................. . . . . . .3.0. . BlaPcepkp eLram b. ....... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8. .4. . . . . . . Cocount-CrsuteSdh ri.m..p. . ................. . . . . .3. .2. Lambw itDhri de Aprciot. .s. . . . . . . . .......... . . .......8. 6 CumiSnm ahsedP otato..e.s.. .......... . . . . . . .3.4. . . . .M.a irnatedL ambC hosp. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8.8. . . . . . . . StueffdM ushoormC ups. . . . . . .......... . . . . . . . . . .3. .6. . . Sarffon LambC urr.y.. ..... . . . . . . . . . . . . ..............9.0. ChcikpeaP atti.e.s.. ...... . . . . . ............ . . . . . . . .3. .8. . Lamb& PotaSttoe .w. ....... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .......9.. 2. . . Tuna Cluett..s. .. . . . . ........... . . . ............ . . . . .4.0. . Chapter1 0: Fish & Shrimp Chapter5 : Soups MutsardF isChur yr. . .................................9..4 SpiedcT omatoS oup.. ....... . . .......... . . . . .........4.2 Hot& SouFri sSht ew.... ......... . . . . . . . .............9.6. CocnoutL entSiolu p. . . .... . . . ........... . . . . . . . ......4. 4 ChiSlhiirm p. . . . ...................... . . . . . ..........9..8 ChikcpeSao u.p. . . . ........... . . .....................4.6 CocnoutF isChur yr . . .......... . . . . . . . .............1..00. SpiedcY ogutrS ou.p.. ......... . . . .......... . . . .......4.8 MasaBlakae dF is..h. .......... . . . . . . ........ . . . . . .1.20. . TamariSnhdir mp.. .... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1.0.4. . . . . . . Chapter 11: Vegetables Chapter 16: Rice Pottaoewsi tPhe a&s C umni . . . . . . . ........ . . . . . . . .1.60. . Saffro&n A lmnodP ifl. .a...........................1.. .07 MasheSdw eePto tat.o.e.s. . . . . ............. . . . . . .1. .80. Chiecnk& ChickpPeial.s.a .f. ...................... .1. .27 Eggplnatw itYhog utr. . . . . . . . . . ............. . . . . . . .1.0.1. GroundM ea&t P eaPsi l.a..f. .......................1.. 47 RutsiPco taCtuor r.y. . . . . . . . . . ............. . . . . . . . .1.21. . Egg& VegebtlaRei ec ............................. . . .1.67 SauetedC abba&g Cea rro.t. .s. ........... . . . . . . . .1.4.1. . Tomato& Cilaon Rtirc..e. ..... . . . . . . . . . . ............1..87 MusohormC uryr ....... . . . . . . . . . ................. . . .1.61 Lemon Rcie. . . . ..............................1..08. ...... SauteeOdk ar& Oninos. . . . . . . . . . ................ . . .1. .81 MixedV egetbalPeli a.f.. .....................1..82. ...... CreamyS pincah. ............... . . . . . .......... . . . . .1.02. MasaGlreae nB ean.s. . . . . . . . . . .................. . . .1. .22 Chapter17:Breads Caulfliowerw itPhea s. . . . . . . . . ................ . . . ....1. 42 Ro.t.i. . . . . . . . . ................................1.48.. ..... StufefdB abyE ggplan. .t.s. . . . . . . . . . . ............ . .1. .62. Naan. . . . . . . . . . . . .............................1..68. ..... SauetedB russSepolrusst . . . . . . . .................1..2.8. . Potatof-eSdBt eruafd. ..........................1..88. ... Deep-FBreriaedd. . . . ...............................1.09. Chapter 12: Beans & Lentils SemoilnPaa cnaeks. . . . ............................1..29. EverayyDd al... . . .... . . . . . ......................1.03.. ... MixedV egebtlaDea .l. . . .... . . . . . . . . . . . .............1.2.3 Chapter 18: Chutneys & Dips CreamyB laLcektn i.l. s. . . . . ........... . . . . ..........1.4.3 Beet R.a. . .i.t.a. . . . . ................. . . . . . . . . . . .1.49. . . . RedK dineBye anCsur yr . . . . ...... . . . . . . ............1..63 Mang&o M intC hutne. .y. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1. .69. . . . . . . ChickpweiatsPh o ttaoe.s. . . . ...... . . . . . . . . ..........1.3 8 TomatoC hutne. .y.. .. . . . ...... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1.89. . . . . . Bla-ceyked aPs&e CocnoutC uryr. .. . . . . . . . . .........1.4 0 CilanCthurton e.y. . . . ...... ....................... .2. .00 SpiecdT omatoR ait.a. . . ..................... . . . . .2. .0.2. Chapter 13: Eggs TamarnidC hutne. .y. . . . . ............ ........ . . . . . .2.0. .4 EggC uryr. . . . . . . . .............. . . . . ......... . . . . . . .1. .24. MaaslOam elte. . . .............. . . . ...... ..... ... .1.44.. . Chapter 19: Sweets SpicSyc armbleEdg gs ............... . .. .......... . . .1.64 CoconAultm nodF udg.e. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2. .0.6. . . . . . MangYoo gutrw itPhit asciho.s. . . . . . . . . . . . ........2..0. 8 Chapter14:Paneer MasaClhaoc oaltTeru ffl.e.s. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2.10. . . . . . . SpianchP ane.e.r. . . . . . . . . . . ............... . . . . . . . .1.84. . Saffrno-IfunsedF ruSiatl .a.d. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2.1.2. . . . . . Paneweirt Phep pesr& Onio.n.s. . ............. . . . .1. .05. SemoilnPau didn.g. ...... . . . . . . . . .......... . . .......2. 14 Pane&e Pre asC uryr . . . . . . . . . . ............. . . . . . . . .1.25. . SpiceCdr mublde Pane.e.r. . . . .................. . . .1. .45 Chapter 20: Resources CreamyP aneCeurry r . ......... . . . ............. . . . . .1.65. MenuI daes. . . . . . . .................. . . . . . ...........2..1 6 MetrCiocn vresniT oablse. . . . . . . . . . . ................2.1.9 Chapter 15: Tandoori Specialties FinIdgn erdinet.s. ............. . . . . . . . . . . . ........2...2 .0 ChcikenT ikka. .................. . . . . . . . .............1..85 EquimpentR esoreucs. ... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ............2.. 22 MinceMde ate wSekrs.. .... . . . ...... . . . . ...........1.0.6 Chef&s P ersolntiai.e.s. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2. .24. . . . . . . . TandooSrhiir m.p. ............. .... . . . . . . . ..........1..26 Web SietsV,di eo,&s Boosk. . . . . . . . . . . ................2. 26 Pane&e Vre getbalSeke wer.s. . . . . . . . . . . . ...........1..46 InidaCnu let .u.r..... . . . . . . . ........ . . . . . . . . . . . .2.28. . . . . TandooCraiui llfwoer. . . . . . ...... . . . . . . . ............1..66. BonusR ecpie.s. . . . . . . . . ............................2. .2 9 GrlielFdi s.h. . . . . . . . . . . . . .... ......... . . . . . . . . . .1.86. . . . . Glsosray. . . . . . . . . . . .................................2.3. 2 Indx.e .. . . . . . . . . . . ...................................2. 36 INTRO D U CTIO N One of the earliest and fondest memories I have of my child­ my mom, she could never accept that cooking a traditional hood involves playing house with my younger brother and Indian meal was out of her reach. So she toiled, and she sister. We would think up make-believe scenarios and play toiled, and today she makes better curries and meaner biry­ them out to the best of our ability and conviction. Some anis than any born-Indian I know. of my favorite playtimes included those where I imagined Growing up, I truly believed that my mom was the best myself in front of a running camera while I animatedly went cook in the world. Many years later, I still hold strong to that through my very own cooking show. Yes, I could say that I belief. I loved watching her go about her kitchen duties z was born with a spatula in place of one of my bones. while she chopped and prepped for dinner. 0 1--1 f­ The year I turned fifteen, Mom thought it was about time u 5 Growing Up in the Middle East I learned to cook. If nothing else, it would at least ensure 0 � I grew up with my two siblings, a younger brother and sis­ that I could feed myself when the need arose. She started z 1--1 ter, in Kuwait, where my parents had made themselves feel off with teaching me to boil an egg. Somehow, boiling the at home for the past thirty years. Like every young liberal perfect egg was always a daunting task. Many weeks, and minded adult of their time, with dreams to see the other dozens of parboiled eggs later, she decided she had had side of the world they grew up in, they both traveled the enough. A girl doesn't need to live on boiled eggs-there distance to this small desert country to find new purpose is a whole world out there for her to explore that has noth­ to their lives, and in turn, a better and brighter future than ing in particular to do with boiled eggs. Nonetheless, she what they had succumbed to in their homelands. Amidst decided to stick with eggs, only this time, fried. And glory to new opportunities and adventures, they found each other, all glories, I nailed it from the get-go. With fried eggs being and thus began the fusion of two cultures. my favorite on the breakfast menu, Mom could now sleep My mom is a Malaysian; my dad, an Indian. Theirs is, of peacefully knowing that when morning came, I could hap­ course, a union of two very distinct cultures. Because my pily feed myself. dad refused to forsake his dal-roti routine when he married viii To India for College After high school, it was time for me to move into a hostel for my college years in India. This was to begin a whole new phase in my life. India seemed more alien to me than I had ever imagined, far from the comfort and security of the only home I had known until this time, Kuwait. Even though we spent almost every summer in Delhi and its surrounding areas, I still felt like a stranger in this new land. I had never before been to Bangalore, a modern, open-minded metro­ politan city in the state of Karnataka towards the southern part of the Indian subcontinent. Here, I met many chal­ lenges, language being one of them. Food came a close second. India is as diverse in its food as it is in its people. If you were to start from the very top, which is the state of Kashmir, and move slowly downward, stopping in every state, prov­ ince, and major city, you would be surprised by the variety of food you would have tasted along the way. A simple meal of lentils, which is one of the staples in an Indian diet, has as many variations to it as the number of homes that cook them. While I loved my north Indian fare, the food of the south was totally new to me, and striking to my palate. When I moved into college housing, I had very little in my recipe repertoire to equip me for an easy student life, ix