The seasoning process makes the most significant distinction between an amateur cook and an expert. Seasoning and spices can be challenging if you are new to cooking. Getting there may take time. Below are a few hacks that may come in handy:
Use enough salt for seasoning
When cooking, salt is a taste enhancer. It is an essential ingredient for every meal and a necessary nutrient. It gives your food a pleasant aroma. However, overuse of it makes the dish salty, and less of it makes the dish tasteless and bland. Experts recommend adding salt gradually according to their taste buds because you can still add it later if it is less. But, reducing the excessive salt from a dish is quite a hassle. Adding a pinch of salt while frying the onions helps caramelize and cook faster.
Use Freshly ground black pepper
The powder in tins you get in supermarkets are ground before weeks to months to sell. The pepper, grounded using the mortar-pestle just before adding to the dish, gives your dish a spicy taste and gives a texture that ready-made powders can’t give. The texture of black pepper also plays a massive role in the flavor. Adding pepper at the end makes the flavor prominent.
Roast the spices
The spice mix powders are common in most Indian recipes. It requires a dry roast for a few seconds till you get the aroma. This technique intensifies the flavor and takes the dish to the next level. Always keep an eye on the spices when you are roasting them. It is advised to keep the flame low so as not to burn. Keep stirring them constantly and cool before making the powder in the grinder. Keep the flame low to avoid burning when adding the spice powder to your curries.
Don’t use old spices for seasoning
Most of us buy spices from the supermarket, which were made and packed months ago, and they become too old. They don’t spoil the dish, but the freshly grounded spices take it to another level by making it delicious and flavourful.
Use Lemons
Lemon adds zesty and extra flavor to the dish. It will help to elevate and balance out the sweetness of any dish. Adding lemon juice to the marinade of Chicken tikkas or Paneer tikkas helps create more complexity to flavor instead of tasting the whole dish the same. Squeezing lemon into Indian dals at the end makes it more delicious.
Taste test the seasoning
Always test your dish in the cooking phase. You don’t want to get frustrated when you put so much effort into making the dish, and then you realize that the flavor is off. Ensure to pick up the item you wish to taste with one spoon and place it on the other for tasting.
Don’t Over-season
Over seasoned food becomes inedible. The simple rule is to taste it as you go to avoid over-seasoning. The more you taste your dish, the more it will turn out delicious. Don’t forget to keep an extra spoon handy when tasting the food.
The temperature of the food is important
The salt and pepper shakers are kept on the table for a reason. They need the extra salt before serving or according to the guest’s taste buds. Cold dishes like salads need extra seasoning. Cold dishes like salads need additional seasoning.
Food without seasoning may still exist, but there won’t be any excitement. We at Little India of Denver prepare all the dishes with perfect seasonings as we know how important it is to season the dish for aroma and flavor.
Visit Little India of Denver if you are craving some delicious dishes. We locate at four locations: (i)330 E. 6th Avenue, (ii) 2390 S. Downing St., (iii) 32nd & Lowell Highland (iv) 29th Avenue Central Park serving traditional and authentic Indian food.