Best Indian Restaurant in NJ: Exploring The Magic Of Indian Spices

The magic of Indian cuisine is not only popular in India but holds a special place in the hearts of food lovers all over the world. No matter where you are, you can easily find an Indian restaurant offering authentic flavors, allowing you to experience the diverse culinary culture of India. At the best Indian restaurant in NJ, you can find your favorite dishes for an unforgettable dining experience. But do you know what makes Indian food so popular? Well, it’s the rich use of spices that transforms simple ingredients into extraordinary dishes that will leave you in the craving for more! Let’s dig deeper and understand more about some of the common ingredients. 

Turmeric

Spices are nothing less than the heart and soul of Indian cuisine and turmeric is an integral part of Indian cooking. Out of the wide variety of Indian spices, turmeric has many health benefits, giving a yellow color to the dish. Oftentimes, only one teaspoon is added to the dish. 

If you are using it for health reasons, ensure that you also add a small amount of black pepper to your dishes. Turmeric is widely popular for its anti-inflammatory elements, giving you a fusion of taste and nutrition.

Cumin

Cumin is another most used spice in Indian households for various curries, the flavor is very similar to caraway. It is common to use the theme as a whole and fry it at the beginning of the cooking.   

While cooking at a higher heat, it will quickly turn into a brown color. Ensure that you don’t end up burning them, you can stop when they start popping up. Ground cumin powder is among the common spices used in India and is an essential ingredient in garam masala which is a mix of spices. 

Cardamom

If you are aware of the spice culture of India, then you must be aware of cardamom! Because of the compound known as Cineole, its taste is very similar to Eucalyptus. It is always recommended to fry it in hot oil at the beginning of cooking. You will usually find two to four cardamom pods in an Indian dish.   

Garam Masala

In India, garam masala is undoubtedly one of the most popular seasonings of all time. Essentially, it is a fusion of a variety of spices like cinnamon, cardamom, coriander, cumin, nutmeg, pepper and others. It is often used in various dishes like Chana Masala. It is usually added during the simmering of sauce or while frying onions. 

You can find a wide range of articles and guides to making authentic garam masala and how to use it properly. The spice is highly diverse and ingredients vary from region to region, offering unique taste. In some regions, the fusion may include mustard, and fennel, no matter where you are in India, you are bound to find garam masala as an essential ingredient in the dish. Visit the best Indian restaurant in NJ to experience the true essence of Garam masala in the dish.  

Ginger

Out of all the ingredients mentioned in the list, Ginger is amongst the most fundamental ingredients of any Indian curry. It is great to use it in dried form. Most of the Indian dishes often include ginger-garlic paste. You can choose to cut a few inches of ginger, minced or grated, cooking it with garlic and onions. Ensure that you properly peel ginger before using it. 

Asafoetida

Asafoetida, popularly known as Hing is another most used spice in India. Know that Hing is among the most aromatic spices of all time. To properly use hing in your dish, you must add it to your pan when the butter or oil turns hot. Ideally, you should let it sizzle for a few seconds before you add ginger, garlic and onion. 

If you are preparing a meal for four people, you should go ahead with using one-fourth to one and a half teaspoons of Asafoetida or Hing. Ensure that you store the spice in a properly sealed container.