Laila is produced using the finest basmati rice from the Punjab provinces of Pakistan & India, featuring premium quality rice grains, harvested from the foothills of the Himalayas. The main areas for basmati rice production are the Punjab provinces of both Pakistan and India, along with a few territories of India such as the Himachal Pradesh, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh and the Madhya Pradesh Regions.
June 2024
The Indian store cupboard
In this month’s blog we take a look at Indian store cupboard staples which form the basis of most Indian dishes. Fresh and vibrant ingredients are the key to achieving authentic Indian flavours. Check out our easy guide below…
The Basic Carbohydrates: Rice & Starches
Rice is the staple grain of Indian cuisine with the country’s most famous export being its indigenous, highly prized, fragrant basmati rice. This naturally aromatic long-grained rice grows in abundance. Other popular varieties of rice include Patna and Ponni. Rice is closely followed by wheat in the form of Indian breads including roti, naan, paratha, poppadoms and chapati.
The Basic Herbs and Spices
The vast array of spices used in Indian food can be intimidating, however, most recipes call for only the use of a few. Good quality cooking pastes are also making life in the kitchen a lot easier.(check out Laila’s paste range LINK) Onions, garlic and ginger are the starting point for many Indian dishes with the main spices being; green and black cardamom, clove, cassia bark, black pepper, cumin, fresh and ground coriander, nutmeg and mace, mustard seeds, fenugreek, turmeric, saffron, star anise, garam masala, mint, liquorice, cinnamon, tamarind, basil and chillies. If there are no recipes, which match these themes, to link to here remove this section
The Basic Proteins
India has the world’s largest population of vegetarians – many on religious grounds. Meat, however, is part of the diet for some and popular choices include chicken, goat (mutton) and beef/buffalo. Seafood and fish are also widely consumed.
Legumes and pulses, including beans and lentils, provide an important source of dietary protein for vegetarians, together with eggs, milk and cheese. Indian cuisine offers one of the tastiest plant-based cuisines on the planet with vegetarian recipes in abundance from chickpea curries to rich dals.
The Basic Fruits & Vegetables
A great many Indian dishes feature vegetables as the main ingredient. Popular choices include; potatoes, gourds, radishes, beans, greens, beets, cabbage, carrots, cauliflower, celery, cucumber, corn, eggplant, okra, onions, peas, peppers, spinach, squash, and tomatoes. Pickled vegetables are also a regular feature in Indian cuisine. Popular fruits include; apples, pineapples, apricots, bananas, figs, grapes, guavas, lychees, mangoes, oranges, papayas, passion fruit, pomegranate, watermelon and sweet limes, all used extensively in vegetarian Indian dishes and desserts.
Want to cook a classic from scratch?Check out our quick and easy recipes