Simple Everyday Dishes for Indian Bachelors: Recipes and Masalas

Cooking as an Indian bachelor can be simple, quick, and delicious with the right ingredients and recipes. Below is a guide on what you can cook daily, the essential masalas to have on hand, and some tasty healthy recipes.

Essential Masalas and Spices

The right blend of masalas can enhance the flavor of your dishes without being complicated. Here are some basic masalas and spices you should have in your pantry:

Turmeric Powder (Haldi): Known for its earthy flavor and vibrant color Red Chili Powder (Lal Mirch): Adds a pungent heat to your dishes Coriander Powder (Dhania): A mild, sweet spice that blends well with other flavors Cumin Seeds (Jeera): Brings a nutty aroma and flavor to dishes Garam Masala: A blend of aromatic spices that adds warmth and intricate flavors Mustard Seeds (Rai): Adds a unique flavor and gets crispy when heated Fenugreek Seeds (Methi): Offers a slightly bitter, slightly sweet flavor Asafoetida (Hing): Used to enhance the aroma and reduce the bitterness of certain ingredients Curry Leaves: A flavorful leaf that brings a natural bitterness and aroma to dishes Salt: The universal flavor enhancer

Basic Pantry Items

These are the staple pantry items that you should keep to prepare a variety of dishes:

Rice: A versatile ingredient that can be served as a side or used in curries Lentils (Dal):Rich in protein and highly nutritious Pulses (Chana, Moong, etc.): Versatile and nutritious Vegetables (seasonal): Fresh and seasonal vegetables for a variety of dishes Cooking Oil (Mustard, Sunflower or Olive Oil): A good quality oil is essential for cooking Onions: A key ingredient for most Indian dishes Tomatoes: Provides acidic and tangy flavors to dishes Ginger and Garlic: A dynamic combination providing a pungency and flavor

Quick and Healthy Recipes

Here are a few simple and healthy recipes you can try as a bachelor:

1. Vegetable Stir-Fry

Ingredients:

Mixed vegetables (carrots, bell peppers, beans) 1 onion, sliced 1 tsp ginger-garlic past 1 tsp turmeric powder 1 tsp red chili powder Salt to taste 1-2 tbsp oil

Instructions:

Heat oil in a pan. Add mustard seeds and let them splutter. Add sliced onions and sauté until golden. Add ginger-garlic paste and sauté for a minute. Add mixed vegetables, turmeric, red chili powder, and salt. Stir-fry for about 5-7 minutes until vegetables are tender.

2. Dal Tadka

Ingredients:

1 cup lentils (moong or toor) 1 onion, chopped 1 tomato, chopped 1 tsp ginger-garlic paste 1 tsp cumin seeds 1 tsp turmeric powder 1 tsp red chili powder Salt to taste 2 tbsp oil or ghee

Instructions:

Boil lentils with turmeric and salt until soft. In a separate pan, heat oil and add cumin seeds. Let them splutter. Add chopped onions and sauté until golden. Add ginger-garlic paste and tomatoes. Cook until soft. Blend in red chili powder and cooked lentils. Simmer for 5 minutes.

3. Egg Curry

Ingredients:

4 boiled and peeled eggs 1 onion, chopped 1 tomato, chopped 1 tsp ginger-garlic paste 1 tsp turmeric powder 1 tsp red chili powder 1 tsp garam masala Salt to taste 2 tbsp oil

Instructions:

Heat oil in a pan and sauté chopped onions until golden. Add ginger-garlic paste and sauté for a minute. Add chopped tomatoes, turmeric, red chili powder, and salt. Cook until tomatoes are soft. Add boiled eggs and sprinkle garam masala. Cook for 5 minutes, coating the eggs with the masala.

4. Curd Rice

Ingredients:

1 cup cooked rice 1 cup yogurt (curd) 1 tsp mustard seeds 1/2 tsp cumin seeds 1-2 green chilies, chopped 1/4 cup chopped coriander leaves Salt to taste 1 tbsp oil

Instructions:

Mix cooked rice with yogurt and salt. In a pan, heat oil and add mustard seeds and cumin seeds until they splutter. Add green chilies and sauté for a minute. Pour this tempering over the rice mixture and garnish with coriander leaves.

Tips for Cooking

Invest in a good non-stick pan: This makes cooking and cleaning easier. Prepare a large batch: Prepare a large batch of rice or dal and store it in the fridge for quick meals. Prep your vegetables: Keep your vegetables prepped for the week to save time.

With these masalas, spices, and recipes, you can enjoy a variety of healthy and tasty meals every day! Beginner cooks can start with these simple dishes and gradually explore more complex recipes.