Spices have been used for centuries to flavour food, bringing balance and complexity to a recipe. As with any international cuisine, Nepalese cooking has also had its own unique take on these. In this post, find out about the most popular flavours in Nepal and learn how they can be incorporated into your cooking. Come along to Everest Inn Kent the best Nepalese and Indian Restaurant.
Nepalese & Indian Spices: A Primer
If you’re looking to add some new flavours to your cooking, Nepalese or Indian spices are a great place to start. There are a variety of Nepalese spices available, each with its own unique flavour. Here are some of the most popular Nepalese spices, and what they can do for your cooking:
Gurkha curry powder: This spice mix is essential for making Nepalese curries. It’s made with a variety of spices, including turmeric, cumin, coriander, and chili powder. Gurkha curry powder gives dishes a warm, earthy flavour that is perfect for chilly winter nights.
Garam masala: This spice mix is another key ingredient in Nepalese and Indian curries. It’s made with a blend of black pepper, cloves, cinnamon, cardamom, and nutmeg. Garam masala adds a touch of sweetness to dishes, as well as a bit of heat.
The Top 9 Nepalese Spices
When it comes to Nepalese curries, there are a few spices that are essential to the flavour profile. These spices include cumin, coriander, turmeric, cloves, cinnamon, and cardamom. At Everest Inn Kent we use these in many of our Nepalese and Indian dishes.
Cumin is a staple spice in Nepalese cuisine. It’s used to add flavour to both meat and vegetable dishes. Cumin has a warm, earthy flavour that goes well with many different types of food.
Coriander is another spice that is commonly used in Nepalese curries. It has a slightly sweet and citrusy flavour that goes well with many different dishes.
Turmeric This spice is closely linked with curry. When Indians say “curry,” they often mean dishes seasoned heavily with turmeric, which has a bright yellow colour and a slightly bitter taste.· Ginger root: Ginger is one of the most common spices in many Central Asian recipes. It’s frequently paired with meat; in potato and chicken dishes, for instance, it makes those traditional flavours stand out even more.
Cloves are a spice that have a strong and pungent flavour. They are often used in Nepalese dishes that contain meat or poultry.
Cinnamon is a spice that add sweetness and warmth to Nepalese dishes. It is often used in sweet dishes or as a garnish on savoury dishes.
Cardamom is a spice that has a sweet and floral flavour. It is commonly used in desserts or as a garnish on curries.
How to create the best Nepalese or Indian Curries.
Cooking with Nepalese and Indian spices is a great way to add flavour and depth to your dishes. Here are some tips on how to use these spices in your cooking:
When cooking with Nepalese spices, it is important to understand the different flavours of each spice. For example, cardamom is a spice that has a sweet and floral flavour, while cumin has a more earthy and smoky flavour. Once you understand the flavours of the spices, you can start to experiment with different combination of spices to create your own unique flavour profiles.
Nepalese spices can be used in both sweet and savoury dishes. For example, cardamom can be used in a sweet dessert like baklava, or it can be used to spice up a savoury dish like curry chicken. When using Nepalese spices in sweet dishes, it is important to not use too much of the spice, as it can easily overwhelm the other flavours in the dish.
In general, Nepalese spices should be used sparingly at first, as you can always add more if needed. It is better to start with less of the spice and build up the flavour than to add too much and end up overpowering the dish.
Recipe Ideas
Here are some recipes that use common Nepalese spices, the dishes below can also be found in a number of Indian restaurants:
- Aloo gobi: This popular dish features potato and cauliflower that is cooked in a curry sauce with ginger, garlic, cumin, and turmeric.
- Chicken yakitori: This dish features chicken skewers that are grilled and served with a soy-based sauce. The chicken is usually marinated in a mixture of ginger, garlic, and cumin before being grilled.
- Masala dosa: This dish features a thin, crispy pancake that is filled with potato and onion curry. It is served with chutney and sambar, which is a soup made with vegetables and tamarind.
- Paneer tikka: This dish features cubes of paneer (a type of Indian cheese) that are grilled and served with a tomato-based sauce. The paneer is marinated in a mixture of ginger, garlic, and cumin before being grilled.
- Samosas: These fried pastries are typically filled with potato and peas but can also be filled with other vegetables or meats. They are often served with chutney or yogurt dip.
- Kheer: This Indian dessert is made with rice, milk, and cardamom.
- Rasmalai: Soft cheese balls are soaked in a sweet mixture of coconut and raisins.
- Chapati: This bread is made with whole-wheat flour and has a slightly sour taste due to the fermentation process. It’s often served with Nepalese or Indian curries.
- Dal: This lentil soup is frequently eaten during lunch, especially in Nepal and northern India.
- Chicken tikka masala: Grilled chicken pieces in tomato sauce -there’s nothing complicated about this; it’s just as good as its name!
- Chicken korma: Red gravy prepared with ground yogurt, cashew paste, and aromatic spices make this dish so delicious that we are not surprised how popular it is all over Britain, is one of the most popular Indian curries.
Have a look at the menu at Everest Inn Kent and you will find a great selection of dishes, you can also join us on Facebook. Everest Inn Kent serves great Nepalese and Indian food, so if you are looking for a great Nepalese and Indian restaurant then pop in and find out what your taste buds are missing out on.
