Indian cooking is labor-intensive, often requiring slow cooking to allow spices to blend.
Dinner is usually a light broth ( rasam ), a fermented grain porridge, or leftover rice soaked in water overnight (a probiotic-rich tradition in rural Bengal and Tamil Nadu). Heavy meats or complex spices are avoided to ensure deep sleep.
The heart of every kitchen. This round stainless steel or brass spice box typically holds seven essential spices, acting as the cook's primary palette.
