Author: Hira Shaikh

28 results found

Dal: Everyone’s Favorite Indian Comfort Food

Dal: Everyone’s Favorite Indian Comfort Food

When you think of your favorite Indian comfort food, without a question,  Dal instantly comes to mind. After a tiring day, all you need is a plate of dal and chawal (rice) to nourish and soothe your soul. Dal hits the same comfort buttons as soup or mac and cheese. What is Dal? Derived from the […]

Hira Shaikh April 2, 2021 Read more
5-Unique-Indian-Spices-and-Herbs-That-You-Should-Cook-With

5 Unique Indian Spices and Herbs That You Should Cook With

What differentiates Indian cuisine from other culinary cuisines around the world? It’s a variety of spices that are used to prepare a meal.  For thousands of years, rich spices like turmeric (haldi) and cumin (zeera) that have brought life to Indian food are now commonly seen being used all over the globe.  Do you ever […]

Hira Shaikh February 19, 2021 Read more
6 Rare Fruits That Everyone Must Try

6 Rare Fruits That Everyone Must Try

For most of us living in the U.S, a trip to the fruit section of our grocery store is monotonous. You will only find fruits such as apples, bananas, grapes, and oranges which are available all year long. While fruits like Mangoes and Guavas seem to be a favorite among Indians everywhere, did you know […]

Hira Shaikh January 29, 2021 Read more
Saffron,-the-true-red-gold

Saffron, the true Red Gold

Saffron is the world’s most legendary spice, and is commonly referred to as “Red Gold”.  The reason being is that Saffron is the most expensive and exquisite spice in the world.  The history of saffron cultivation and usage dates back to over 3000 years ago, and is connected to many cultures. Originating in Iran, saffron […]

Hira Shaikh December 18, 2020 Read more
Sites In India You Must Visit In Your Lifetime

7 Sites In India You Must Visit In Your Lifetime

India is undoubtedly one of the oldest civilizations on Earth. Its diverse cultural history, inhabitants of multiple races, religions, music, foods, fashion and languages makes it a goldmine for the study of architectural evolution throughout history.  (1) The Taj Mahal Speaking of lavish architecture, one of the Seven Wonders of the World– the Taj Mahal— […]

Hira Shaikh November 27, 2020 Read more
It surely matters what ingredients you put in your food to make it flavorful, however, it is equally important to pay attention to which cookware you use to prepare the food in. For your taste buds to truly enjoy the authentic taste of your favorite Indian dish you have been longing for, you need to go back to the basics and prepare your dish in a traditional handi made out of clay. For centuries, mankind has depended on clay for building material for shelter. Clay has also been utilized to illustrate religious origin stories. Most importantly for humans, clay was used as cookware. Pots made out of clay allowed food to be easily cooked over fire, which reduced bacteria and released nutrients. As clay is porous, it captures moisture in the dish and allows it to circulate while cooking. Because of this, food cooked in clay pots is cooked with little oil. Cooking in a clay pot is a slow process which requires seasoning the pot before cooking in it. The slow cooking process results in aromatic, lip-smacking and scrumptious food. However, as life got busier, people started taking shortcuts in their kitchens and preferred cooking in aluminum and steel for quicker meals. In today’s world, as people are becoming more health conscious and aware of what they put in their body, they are beginning to understand the enormous benefits of clay pot cooking. One of the benefits of cooking in a clay pot is that the alkaline nature of the clay lowers the acidic content of the food which makes it easy on the stomach. In addition, the dishes are more flavorful and have an authentic taste. Due to this, clay pots have gained a cult following and have become a popular commodity. Some Indian restaurants around the United States are now serving dishes cooked in clay pots such as chicken handi, vegetable dum biryani, and matka chai. What are Indian clay pots? Indian clay pots are earthenware pots which have been used for centuries for Indian cooking. They are unglazed, free of any toxic materials or lead and are 100% eco-friendly. The cookware is known by multiple names such as handi, matka, and manchatti. Back in the day, clay pots were present in almost every household-- handed down from generation to generation. In India, the clay pots are handcrafted by local artisans. To this day, in rural areas and villages, food is still prepared in handis. How to season clay pots? Perhaps one of the key factors of clay pot cooking is seasoning the pot before cooking in it. First, wipe all the unglazed areas of the pot and rub it with oil. Fill the pot with water and close the lid. Place the pot in an oven and turn on the oven to 350 degrees and let it bake for a couple hours. Once done, let the pot cool completely and store it in a cool, dry place. Seasoning the pot enhances its durability and makes it more crack-resistant. How to clean clay pots? It is essential that the clay pots are cleaned properly. Since clay is porous, do not use regular dish soap with water to clean the pots as the soap will likely soak into your pot and food. Simply, use hot water with a brush to scrub the pot. In addition, pots can be cleaned with a mixture of baking soda and vinegar. If the pot has tough stains, soak the pot overnight with a mixture of water and a few teaspoons of baking soda. This will also help remove any odors in the pot. Indian dishes to cook in clay pots Some clay pot Indian dishes to try are chicken handi, vegetable biryani, chicken korma, fish curry, daal, and many more. Some desserts to try are matka kulfi, matka kheer, sweet matka dahi, and matka chai. Clay pot cooking can provide a whole new culinary experience and more authenticity to traditional Indian foods. Once you start cooking in these clay pots, you will surely notice the difference in taste from your everyday meals. If you’re looking to change up the way you eat, we suggest you make room for this groundbreaking item in your kitchen!

Why This Classic Cooking Clay Pot Should Be A Staple for Every Indian Kitchen

It surely matters what ingredients you put in your food to make it flavorful, however, it is equally important to pay attention to which cookware you use to prepare the food in. For your taste buds to truly enjoy the authentic taste of your favorite Indian dish you have been longing for, you need to […]

Hira Shaikh October 23, 2020 Read more
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