Cooking Indian food daily is a joy for many, thanks to its rich flavors, vibrant spices, and comforting aromas. But let’s be honest — daily cooking can also become exhausting, especially when you’re juggling work, family, and other responsibilities. From chopping endless vegetables to preparing spice blends from scratch, Indian cooking can feel like a full-time job in itself.
Thankfully, there are many simple and clever Indian kitchen hacks that can help you save time, reduce effort, and still serve delicious homemade meals every day. These tips are practical, easy to adopt, and passed down from generations of clever cooks. Whether you are a beginner or a seasoned home chef, these kitchen tricks will help make your daily cooking routine smooth and stress-free.
1. Prep Your Masalas Once a Week
Most Indian dishes begin with a flavorful base of onion, tomato, garlic, and ginger. Instead of preparing this masala from scratch every day, cook a large batch of this base on the weekend. Once it cools, divide it into small containers and refrigerate or freeze. Use it as a ready base for curries, dals, and sabzis. It is a massive time-saver during busy weekdays.
2. Use Kitchen Shears for Herbs and Green Chilies
Chopping coriander leaves, curry leaves, or green chilies with a knife can take time. A simple trick is to use kitchen scissors or shears. Just snip them directly into your dish or a bowl. It saves time and gives you more control over the size of the cut.
3. Always Keep a Ginger-Garlic Paste Ready
Instead of peeling and grinding garlic and ginger every day, make a paste at home using equal quantities of both. Store it in a glass jar in the fridge for up to a week or freeze it in ice cube trays for longer use. You can even add a little oil and salt to preserve it better. This hack saves you several minutes every time you cook.
4. Soak and Store Legumes in Advance
Dishes like chole, rajma, and kala chana require long soaking and cooking. Save time by soaking and boiling them in large batches. Store in ziplock bags or airtight containers and freeze. When you need them, just thaw and add to your dish. It eliminates hours of soaking and pressure cooking on a busy day.
5. Use Ziplock Bags for Freezing Flatbreads
Making roti or paratha fresh every day is ideal, but not always realistic. Instead, you can make a batch of chapatis or parathas, half-cook them, let them cool, and freeze them in ziplock bags. Place parchment paper between each to prevent sticking. When needed, just heat them on a pan, and they’re ready in minutes.
6. Double Up Your Dough and Store
If making flatbreads daily feels like a task, knead extra dough and store it in an airtight container in the fridge. Apply a little oil on the surface to prevent drying. This dough stays fresh for up to two or three days and saves time during meal preparation.
7. Label Your Spice Containers
Spices are the heart of Indian cooking. If you spend time opening lids or sniffing to identify them, it might be time to label your jars. Transparent containers with clear labels make cooking faster and more organized. It also helps in planning your grocery list better.
8. Store Herbs the Right Way
Fresh herbs like coriander and mint can wilt quickly. To keep them fresh longer, wrap them in a paper towel and store them in an airtight box or ziplock bag in the refrigerator. This hack keeps your herbs fresh for up to a week and reduces waste.
9. Make Instant Mixes for Quick Breakfasts
Indian breakfasts like upma, poha, or dosa can be made quicker with a little planning. You can dry roast semolina or flattened rice with spices and store them in jars. For dosa or idli, prepare batter in bulk and refrigerate. These hacks make it easier to whip up a hot breakfast in under 10 minutes.
10. Use Pressure Cookers Efficiently
A pressure cooker is a must-have in any Indian kitchen. You can cook dals, rice, potatoes, and even curries much faster in it. Save time by cooking multiple items in the same cooker using stackable containers. For example, cook rice in the bottom container and dal or vegetables on the top tier.
11. Freeze Chopped Veggies
If chopping vegetables daily feels tedious, do it once or twice a week. Chop onions, carrots, beans, and capsicum in batches. Store them in ziplock bags or airtight containers in the fridge or freezer. This reduces your prep time significantly, especially on busy mornings.
12. Use Tamarind Paste Instead of Soaking
Traditional tamarind pulp requires soaking and straining. To save time, use ready-made tamarind paste. Just a spoonful gives the same tangy flavor without the extra effort. Make sure to check for preservatives if you prefer homemade versions.
13. Use Leftovers Creatively
Leftovers are not boring when you know how to reinvent them. Last night’s dal can be turned into a dough for theplas or parathas. Leftover rice can be used for fried rice or curd rice. This reduces waste and helps you prepare new meals in less time.
14. Invest in Multi-Use Appliances
Appliances like a mixer-grinder, food processor, or even an Instant Pot can drastically cut down on cooking time. A food processor chops vegetables and kneads dough. A mixer helps grind masalas or make smooth batters. These tools simplify your work and make cooking faster and more efficient.
15. Plan and Prep the Night Before
A little planning goes a long way. Soak dals or rice before you go to bed. Decide the next day’s menu and place ingredients on the counter or fridge shelf for easy access. This simple habit ensures you are not overwhelmed during morning cooking.
Final Thoughts
Daily Indian cooking does not have to be stressful or time-consuming. By using a few of these smart kitchen hacks, you can simplify your routine, save valuable time, and still enjoy delicious homemade meals. These tricks not only help with speed but also reduce mess, improve organization, and make cooking feel more enjoyable and less like a chore.
Start with a few tips and build your own routine around them. You will soon find that cooking becomes more relaxed and efficient, even on the busiest days.
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