3 Things To Know About Your New Indian Kitchen

For many of us the kitchen is the nerve center of the home. We spend a lot of time there, and the food we prepare in our kitchen feeds so much more than just our bellies. It’s worthwhile to take time to make sure your kitchen is one that meets your needs.

As a foreigner in Dehradun, you may find that your kitchen needs to do double-duty both as an Indian kitchen, and as a kitchen suited to more familiar fare from your home country. Here are 3 things you should know when setting up your new kitchen in India.

You’ll need new tools to cook local

Whether you’re a do-it-yourselfer or prefer hiring a maid or cook who will be using your kitchen, plan to get the cooking implements that will let you enjoy the mouth-watering flavors of India.

Some of the most commonly used items are:

• Pressure Cooker - for quickly cooking lentils, beans, rice, etc.

• Chakla Belan - for rolling out flatbreads like chapati & naan

• Tawa - for cooking chapati

• Tadka pan - for heating spices and making dal and other delicious sauces

Adjust your oven expectations

While baking is still relatively uncommon in Indian households, you can find some gas and electric ovens in Dehradun. Most popular are smaller electric countertop ovens that double as a microwave. If you plan to do a lot of baking, keep in mind that large baking sheets may not fit in these smaller ovens, so plan accordingly. Also, most kitchens do not provide a built-in space to put a full-sized oven, so check your kitchen space before you buy!

The stove situation

Nearly all households in India use gas ranges for cooking. The range is placed on the countertop with the gas cylinder on the floor, or in a cabinet below. You can find a gas range easily at any kitchen or even grocery store. It may take you some time to set up a ‘gas connection’ or an account with the local gas cylinder provider, so in the meantime you can use an electric induction cooktop. If you do use an induction stove, make sure the pots and pans are compatible: they must have a stainless steel plate on the bottom in order to work on the stove.

With time, your kitchen will reflect your taste and cooking style, but keep these 3 tips in mind from the beginning and you will be well on your way to culinary success!

ABOUT ETHAN
Ethan moved to Dehradun in 2015 with his family, and has enjoyed introducing people to this amazing city ever since. He loves exploring new places, spending time outdoors, and geeking out about culture. Ethan stays busy developing and running cross-cultural trainings, helping out newcomers to the area, and taking pictures of this incredible part of the world in his spare time.

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