How to Cook Indian Food Like Restaurants
Gagan Singh
Author
Published on Invalid Date
Why Indian Restaurant Food Tastes Different
When you think of Indian food in restaurants, you might think of bold flavors and incredibly complex layers of taste. The secret to restaurant-style Indian food is that it’s cooked differently from what most home cooks are used to. Restaurant kitchens have specialized equipment and techniques that allow them to prepare food faster, at higher temperatures, and with carefully curated spice combinations.
Techniques Used in Restaurants:
- Prep Ahead: In restaurants, ingredients are often prepped ahead of time, ensuring that dishes can be assembled quickly when an order comes in. This includes pre-cooking meats and creating curry bases in advance.
- High-Heat Cooking: Professional kitchens often use high heat to create intense flavors, something that’s harder to replicate at home with smaller pots and home stovetops.
- Layering Spices: A key technique is layering spices. By adding them at different stages of cooking, restaurants achieve a depth of flavor that’s tough to match when everything is tossed in at once.
Essential Ingredients for Restaurant-Style Indian Food
The heart of Indian cooking lies in its spices. Without the right spices, even the most precise techniques won’t yield the signature taste you’re aiming for. Here’s what you’ll need:
Must-Have Spices & Pantry Staples
To cook Indian restaurant-style food at home, stocking your pantry with a few key spices is crucial. These include:
- Turmeric: Often referred to as the "golden spice," it adds a vibrant color and earthy flavor to curries.
- Cumin: Ground or whole, cumin imparts a warm, slightly nutty taste and is essential in most curries.
- Coriander: Ground coriander offers a citrusy and slightly sweet flavor, perfect for balancing bold dishes.
- Garam Masala: A blend of warm spices like cardamom, cloves, and cinnamon, essential in finishing most curries.
- Red Chili Powder (Lal Mirch): Adds heat and vibrant color.
- Kasoori Methi (Dried Fenugreek Leaves): Adds an authentic, slightly bitter flavor often used in restaurant curries.
- Cinnamon, Cardamom, and Cloves: Whole spices used in tempering that add depth and richness to the base of many dishes.
Where to Buy Authentic Indian Ingredients
If you don’t have an Indian grocery store near you, many online retailers offer authentic Indian spices. Stores like Amazon, Spices of India, and iHerb provide access to hard-to-find ingredients that make restaurant-style cooking easier.
Must-Have Tools & Cookware for Indian Cooking at Home
You might have the right spices, but without the right tools, you won’t be able to cook like a restaurant. Professional kitchens use specialized tools that home cooks often don’t have access to. However, you can still use similar tools to elevate your cooking game.
Essential Cookware
- Kadai (Wok): A deep, round-bottomed pan used for frying and stirring curries. Its design helps to retain heat and cook food evenly.
- Tawa (Flat Griddle): Used for cooking flatbreads like roti and paratha.
- Pressure Cooker: Indian cuisine often involves cooking lentils, beans, and meats, and a pressure cooker speeds up the process, making these staples much easier to prepare.
- Spice Grinder: Freshly ground spices are a must for the most authentic flavors. Invest in a good-quality spice grinder or mortar and pestle to enhance the depth of your curry.
- Stainless Steel Pots and Pans: These are perfect for making curries, dals, and rice, as they ensure even heat distribution.
Special Equipment for Indian Cooking
For an extra boost in flavor, consider a tandoor oven (or a grill with a high heat setting) if you plan on making dishes like tandoori chicken or naan.
Step-by-Step Technique for Cooking Indian Food Like Restaurants
The Restaurant Cooking Flow
One of the biggest challenges for home cooks is replicating the speed and precision of a restaurant kitchen. Here’s how you can do it:
Mise en Place: Prep all your ingredients before you start cooking. Chop onions, prepare garlic ginger paste, and measure your spices.
Preheat Your Curry Base: Having a pre-made curry base (usually made from tomatoes, onions, and spices) will save time. Simply heat it up and add your pre-cooked meats or vegetables.
Sautéing Spices: Start by adding whole spices to hot oil (or ghee) and cook them until they crackle. This brings out their essential oils, creating the base for your curry’s flavor.
Add Ground Spices: After the whole spices have bloomed, add the ground spices (like cumin, coriander, and turmeric). Always be careful not to burn them.
Layering: Layer the spices and ingredients at different stages of cooking. For example, add garam masala towards the end to keep its fragrance intact.
Simmering: Let the curry simmer to allow the flavors to meld. The key to restaurant-style curries is slow cooking, which deepens the flavor profile.
Expert Cooking Tips for Authentic Indian Cuisine at Home
Best Tips to Make Indian Dishes Like Restaurants
- Don’t Burn the Spices: One of the biggest mistakes home cooks make is burning their spices. Control the heat and always stir continuously to prevent this.
- Invest in Good Cookware: High-quality pots, pans, and a good spice grinder are essential for extracting the maximum flavor.
- Use Fresh Ingredients: Indian cooking thrives on the freshness of ingredients. Fresh herbs like cilantro, ginger, and garlic will give your curries a deeper, fresher taste.
- Balance the Flavors: Don’t be afraid to experiment with balancing the sweet, salty, sour, and spicy components. A pinch of sugar or a squeeze of lemon can transform the flavor.
- Pre-Cook Meats: Just like in restaurants, pre-cook your meats. This keeps them tender and flavorful when added to the curry.
Akasa – A Modern Example of Restaurant-Style Indian Cooking
What Home Cooks Can Learn from Akasa Singapore
Akasa, located in the heart of Singapore, is a great example of restaurant-style Indian cooking. The chefs at Akasa focus on traditional techniques while embracing modern innovations, creating a seamless blend of authenticity and creativity. Akasa’s use of organic ingredients and sustainable sourcing is a great reminder that quality ingredients can make a world of difference in the final dish.
- Signature Dishes:
- Galouti Kebab – Melt-in-your-mouth lamb patties infused with aromatic spices.
- Akasa-E-Dum Biryani – A rich, flavorful biryani that perfectly balances spices and fragrance.
- Butter Chicken Tikka – The creamy, smoky flavor that defines restaurant-style butter chicken.
By following Akasa’s example and focusing on high-quality ingredients, traditional techniques, and modern twists, you can elevate your cooking and create an experience like no other.
Mistakes to Avoid When Cooking Indian Restaurant Recipes
Common Pitfalls and How to Avoid Them
- Using Cold Curry Base: Always preheat your curry base before adding your meat or vegetables.
- Overcrowding the Pan: Avoid putting too much food in the pan at once. This can lead to uneven cooking and loss of flavor.
- Under-Seasoning: Indian cooking is all about flavor depth. Don’t skip on seasonings—taste your food as you cook.
Garnishing & Finishing Touches that Add Restaurant Flair
The Importance of Garnishing
Indian restaurants often finish their dishes with garnishes that elevate the flavor and presentation. Some classic garnishes include:
- Fresh herbs like cilantro and mint.
- Fried onions for a crispy texture.
- A dash of cream or yogurt to add richness.
Conclusion
Cooking Indian food like a restaurant is not only about ingredients but about understanding the techniques and tools that make the flavors shine. By incorporating restaurant-style curry bases, using the right spices, and following expert tips, you can elevate your cooking and bring the taste of restaurants like Akasa into your home. Happy cooking, and enjoy the journey to mastering Indian cuisine at home!
Frequently Asked Questions
To cook Indian food like restaurants, focus on prepping your ingredients and layering spices. Start with a pre-cooked curry base, use high-heat cooking techniques, and pre-cook meats for a rich, restaurant-style flavor. Using authentic spices and proper cookware also helps recreate the restaurant experience at home.
The secrets to restaurant-style Indian cooking include using a curry base, pre-cooked meats, and high-temperature cooking methods. Layering spices at different stages, from whole spices to ground spices, and using fresh ingredients like ginger, garlic, and cilantro are also key factors in achieving authentic restaurant flavors.
Some of the best tips to make restaurant-style Indian food include: Prep your ingredients ahead of time. Use high heat to sauté spices and caramelize onions. Invest in a spice grinder to grind spices fresh. Simmer dishes for a deeper flavor profile. Finish your curry with fresh garnishes like cilantro or fried onions.
Restaurants achieve rich curry flavors by using pre-cooked meats, layering spices, and preparing curry bases in advance. They also use high-quality spices and fresh ingredients, often cooking on higher heat and for shorter times to preserve flavor.
To make creamy Indian curry like in restaurants, use cream, yogurt, or coconut milk. Stir these ingredients in towards the end of cooking to achieve a rich and smooth texture. For extra richness, finish with a drizzle of cream or a dollop of yogurt when serving.
Yes, you can make restaurant-quality Indian curries at home by following professional techniques, such as using a curry base, pre-cooking meat, using fresh ingredients, and layering spices. High-quality cookware and precise cooking methods are key to replicating the authentic taste.
The main reasons your homemade curry might not taste like the restaurant include: Using pre-ground spices instead of freshly ground ones. Not prepping ingredients properly or not cooking them long enough to release their full flavor. Skipping the curry base or pre-cooking meat, both of which are crucial for achieving restaurant-like depth.
To cook Indian food like restaurants, you need to prep ingredients in advance, layer your spices during the cooking process, and use a curry base. Pre-cook meats and vegetables to keep them tender and flavorful, and use high heat and authentic tools for the best results.
The must-have ingredients for restaurant-style Indian cooking include fresh ginger, garlic, and cilantro, whole and ground spices like cumin, coriander, and garam masala, curry leaves, and pre-cooked meats. Don't forget ghee and coconut milk for rich textures and flavors.
To make Indian food like restaurants, follow these tips: Prep ahead with mise en place (pre-chop vegetables, measure spices). Layer your spices at different stages of cooking for deep flavors. Use high heat for searing and browning meats and vegetables. Use quality cookware like kadai or tawa for even cooking.