How Do Spices Affect the Body?

Not only can traditional Indian spices flavour your food, increase the heat of your dishes and add some colour to wow your guests, but they can have a profound effect on your body’s health, too. From aiding in weight loss to soothing symptoms of indigestion, these five household spices are absolutely packed with properties that can help with your eyesight, inflammations and mild pain. You’ll probably already have these organic spices in your food cupboard, but if not you can find them in our online store here. Want to know more? Then read on…

Turmeric

Turmeric - the distinctive yellow spice - contains an active ingredient called curcumin. This antioxidant is great for easing inflammation and mild pain. Tonnes of research has gone into the benefits of turmeric, which shows that eating small amounts can help to slow down, or even prevent, the effects of Alzheimer’s disease.

Chilli Powder

Chilli powder is packed with vitamin A; just one tablespoon contains around 9% of your daily vitamin A needs. This helps to improve eyesight and can also make it easier for our eyes to shift from light areas to dark areas very quickly, a term known as night-time blindness. There are so many other health benefits too. Chilli powder can help settle an upset stomach and soothe acid reflux. It can increase metabolism too, which is great for weight loss as you’ll burn fat quicker. Chilli powder also contains vitamin C, which works to heal injuries and infections.

Ginger

Originating from China, ginger is well-known for relieving nausea, particularly when it comes to sickness during pregnancy and chemotherapy. Stir a spoonful of ginger into hot water and drink up for instant relief. Ginger can also help with muscle pain caused by exercise. Studies show it’s particularly effective in reducing day-to-day muscle pain, and the antioxidant properties can be beneficial in fighting joint pain, too. Lastly, ginger offers great relief against indigestion.

Cardamom

Cardamom is great for people who have high blood pressure, thanks to its antioxidant and diuretic effects. It’s also got loads of cancer-busting properties - cardamom increases the activity of cancer-fighting enzymes which can definitely help sufferers. Cardamom can also fight inflammations, particularly when it comes to the heart. And if you’re suffering from flatulence or stomach cramps, try taking a spoonful to ease the symptoms.

Cumin

First and foremost, cumin is a fantastic source of iron, which helps with a child’s growth and helps the body to produce your all-important red blood cells. One teaspoon contains 17.5% of your recommended daily dosage. However, the most common use of cumin is to help with indigestion, as it speeds up normal digestion by increasing the activity of your body’s digestive enzymes. This can potentially help you to lose weight or ease the symptoms of acid reflux and heartburn. If you suffer from IBS, cumin can help as it increases the release of bile from the liver. This helps to digest fat and releases key, healthy nutrients from your stomach.

Now that you know a little more about the health benefits of spices, shop our full selection of spices here.

Easter is almost here and we’re getting prepared for the long weekend ahead! There is nothing worse than having the whole family down with absolutely no idea what to cook. We’ve put together a few recipes, all Easter themed of course, to give you a helping hand so you can sit back and enjoy the weekend with your loved ones.

Breakfast

Easter is not complete without a great hot cross bun or two for breakfast. Hot cross buns are usually eaten to signify the breaking of lent during the Easter weekend, on the Friday morning. Traditionally, hot cross buns are spiced sweet buns filled with currants or raisins and topped off with the distinct icing cross. To mix things up, you can try baking your hot cross buns with caramel or orange flavouring.

Fry-day Dinner

Traditionally, fish and chips on Friday is the go-to! Religiously, this started because Christians believed in abstaining from red meat on Friday, so they went to the next best alternative, which was fish. Simply, season some fish fillets, cover in cornflour mix and deep-fry. Serve with a squeeze of lemon, alongside some spring veggies and oven-roasted chips for a delicious home cooked meal. Not only is this a quick and simple meal but is one of the nation’s favourites so you can’t really go wrong. For a fun alternative for the kids, you can opt for animal-shaped fish cakes with a portion of veggies on the side.

Late Lunch

Much like Christmas, a Sunday roast is a must during Easter. With the fresh, spring vegetables available in supermarkets, your roast dinner is going to be the star of the weekend!

Top tips for cooking your roast dinner:

#1 get your meat early to avoid any disappointment

#2 get your prep done early, like carrot peeling and potato chopping, to save you rushing around later

#3 combine your gravy with the leftover meat juices to create an exquisite flavour

#4 use your leftover meat as a sandwich and baguette filler for your lazy Sunday brunch.

Enjoy and we hope you have a great Easter!

Find the ingredients used above here. 

There’s nothing better than being wrapped up in winter, by the fire with some hot chocolate and a warm and homely dessert. The warm winter spices fill your body with warmth and makes it one of our favourite times of the year. So, what are the winter spices?

Bake the perfect, warm and delicious winter spice cake using the spices above just in time for the new season.

Winter Spice Cake Recipe

20 servings | prep: 20 mins | bake: 1 hour 15 mins

Ingredients:

• 225g salted butter
• 225g caster sugar
• 2 tsps vanilla extract
• 1 tsp ground cinnamon
• ½ tsp ground ginger
• ¼ tsp ground nutmeg
• ¼ tsp ground cloves
• 4 medium eggs
• 350g self-raising flour
• 4 tbsp milk

Method:

1. Preheat the oven to 170°. Lightly grease the base and sides of a square cake tin.
2. Combine all the spices into a bowl and add sugar, butter and vanilla extract.
3. Mix and then gradually add in the eggs and flour.
4. Once the ingredients are almost combined, add milk.
5. When the ingredients are all combined, pour the batter into the pre-prepared tin and put in the oven to bake for 1 ¼ hours or until a toothpick inserted into the cake comes out clean.
6. Cool and then serve alongside some custard or top with some cream cheese frosting to finish.

Enjoy!

Find the ingredients used above here. 

Christmas cookies

It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas and we’re making sure that you don’t miss a thing this festive month, starting with our treats for Santa. A simple but delicious way to get the whole family in the kitchen are these festive Christmas-shaped cookies. Decorate and serve for the month or save them up until Christmas Eve for when Santa stops by!

Christmas Cookie Recipe

4 dozen | prep: 20 mins | bake: 8 mins

Ingredients:

• 470g plain flour
• 1 tsp baking powder
• ½ tsp salt
• 225g butter
• 300g caster sugar
• 2 eggs
• 2 tsp vanilla extract

Method:

1. Preheat the oven to 200 C and lightly grease two baking trays.
2. Sift the flour, baking powder and salt in a mixing bowl together and set aside.
3. In a separate bowl, cream together the butter and sugar until the mixture is light and fluffy.
4. Beat in the eggs, then stir in the vanilla extract.
5. Gradually blend in the sifted flour until evenly mixed.
6. Cover dough and refrigerate for two hours.
7. On a floured surface, roll out the portions of dough to 5mm thickness. Cut out using cookie cutters.
8. Bake for 6-8 mins in the preheated oven.
9. Transfer from baking tray to cooling rack. After cooled, decorate with icing.

Enjoy!

Find the ingredients used above here. 

National Curry Week

Our favourite time of the year is back; it’s National Curry week which is just another excuse for a delicious, homemade curry. What better way to celebrate than with one of our all-time favourite classics: butter chicken. Originated from a small sweet shop in Peshawar, this warm and hearty meal combines a balance of creamy and subtle tangy flavours, making it a favourite worldwide. Create your own with our recipe below. Find all the herbs and spices used below on our site here.

Butter Chicken Recipe

Feed 4 people | prep: 40 mins | cook: 30 mins

Ingredients:

For marinade:

• 2 pounds boneless chicken (breast or thigh), cut into bite sized chunks
• 1 cup Greek yoghurt
• 1 tbsp lemon juice
• 2 tsp ground turmeric
• 2 tsp ground garam masala
• 1 tsp ground cumin
• 2 garlic cloves minced

For sauce:

• 2 tbsp butter
• 1 tbsp vegetable oil
• ½ cup onion, chopped finely
• 1 clove garlic, minced
• 1 tsp ground garam masala
• ½ tsp chilli powder
• ¼ tsp salt
• 8 ounces tomato sauce/puree
• 1 cup of half-and-half – ½ cup of milk ½ cup of cream mixed

For serving:

• Hot, buttered oven naan bread
• Chopped cilantro leaves

Ingredients:

1. Make the marinade: Combine all the marinade ingredients in a bowl and toss to combine. Cover and refrigerate for 24 hours max.
2. Make the sauce: Heat 1 tbsp of butter and vegetable oil in a large, deep pan over medium heat. Add the onion and cook until soft, approx. 3 mins. Add garlic and ginger and cook for a further minute. Add garam masala, chilli, and salt. Stir and cook for a further 30 seconds.
3. Increase the heat to medium-high and add the marinated chicken. Cook until chicken is no longer pink, approx. 5 mins.
4. Add the tomato sauce and simmer for 15 – 20 mins, stirring occasionally until the chicken is cooked through.
5. Reduce the heat and add the half-and-half with a tbsp of butter. Warm gently until the butter has melted.
6. Remove from the heat and serve with a garnish of cilantro, naan bread or hot, steamy white rice.

Enjoy!

Or you could cut down the entire cooking time by 40 mins!!! How you ask, well we have our butter chicken recipe mix to make your delicious curry quickly and just as tasty. Find it here.

The Paleo diet doesn’t have to be bland or boring, when you Buy Indian flours and spices online, you want to use them, incorporating the Spices of India into your paleo meal is a great way to mix things up. Buying Indian flours and spices online lend themselves perfectly to the vegetable, fruit, meat, seafood, nut, and seed based paleo diet. A diet that avoids dairy, processed food and grains is perfect to Buy spices for, adding an exotic flavour to keep things from becoming too similar.

Many people buy Indian flours and spices online not just for the flavour but for the health benefits, a similar reason why the paleo diet is so often adopted. The diet centres around lean proteins that keep muscles strong and bones healthy as well as vegetables and fruit, so the body can benefit from the antioxidants, minerals and vitamins that are there to keep a body fit and healthy. Staying very close to what our ancestors ate and combining it with the Spices of India, is a great way to get a double hit of nutrients and maintain a balanced diet, ensuring that you no longer need to worry that when you Buy spices, that they will just be left on the shelf.

When you adopt a paleo diet, the benefits often speak for themselves, with simple adjustments, like using nuts, fruit, oil, and seeds to get healthy fats instead of using highly saturated dairy fats, helping you to live a much more natural lifestyle. By using monounsaturated fats instead, you can reduce the risk of cancer and heart disease as well as minimising the risk of obesity, ideal for those looking to lose weight and keep it off. But as with many of the Spices of India, the health benefits of paleo don’t just stop there, the reasons to buy Indian Flours and Spices Online are extensive.

Paleo diets increase vitamin and mineral intake helping the body to cope with attacks on the immune system, something that is designed to protect our bodies from disease and bacteria, keeping the body stable and free from foreign invaders. Paleo has stood the test of time and it is only in recent years, as our diets have adjusted to more processed foods, that many of the common health problems have emerged. Diseases such as cardio vascular disease were nowhere near as prominent when paleo was the natural human diet, with paleo helping to improve heart health and important heart functions.

While the benefits of paleo are extensive, it is important to find the food you eat delicious. We have put together two different delectable recipes that incorporate the Spices of India, ideal for when you Buy Spices that are new:

HOW TO MAKE PALEO CHICKEN TIKKA

A Paleo-fried version of the fan favourite Indian Chicken Tikka. This recipe takes around 13 minutes to Prep and Pickup (requires margination) and serves four.

All You Need Is…

215 g Coconut milk yoghurt

1 tbsp grated ginger

2 cloves garlic crushed

1 tsp chili powder

1 tbsp ground coriander seeds

1 lemon (juiced)

2 tbsp coconut oil

750 g chicken breast

1 onion sliced (garnish)

2 tomatoes (quartered for garnish)

4 lemon twists (garnish)

Mix all ingredients (except garnish and chicken) in a large bowl

Cut the chicken into cubes and drop into the bowl. Cover and leave in a fridge to marinate overnight

Thread chicken onto skewers (divide amongst 4 skewers)

Cook on a preheated hot grill for 6 minutes (turning frequently)

Garnish and serve 

HOW TO MAKE SHISH KEBABS

A quick and easy savoury Paleo snack idea or even a Paleo breakfast idea. The recipe takes around 20 minutes to Prep and Pickup and serves four. All you need is some ingredients spices which you can buy Indian flours and spices online on our website. Simply choose you desired category at the top.

All you need is…

500 g minced lamb

2 tbsp finely chopped celery leaves

2 tbsp chopped parsley

2 onions finely chopped

1 tsp turmeric

Pepper

Mix all ingredients thoroughly in a bowl and add pepper for taste

Roll into sausage shapes and cook on a moderately heated grill for 10 minutes

Turn several times during the 10 minutes

Garnish with parsley and some onion.

Serve and enjoy

First of all, the most obvious question, how much fat does coconut oil have? The answer is, a lot! Coconut oil has a fat content of about 90%. As you may know, there are two main kinds of fat, saturated and unsaturated. The fat found in coconut oil is primarily saturated fat, this is the kind that is reportedly not good for you because it increases the low density lipoproteins (LDL) in your body, this type fat increases the cholesterol in your body, which is associated with an increase in the risk of heart disease. This will probably make you think twice about using coconut oil for cooking, but it’s not as simple as that. Coconut oil also increases your levels of high density lipoproteins (HDL), this is the good kind of cholesterol.

There is also some disagreement within the medical community about saturated fat, evidence is emerging that not all saturated fats are created equal, and consuming saturated fat might actually be better for you than previously thought. This can be seen in areas where coconut oil is heavily used in cooking and preparing food, like Sri Lanka, where the rate of heart is relatively lower than in the U.S.

Beyond that, using coconut oil for cooking and in your daily life can benefit you in a few other ways, coconut oil has been shown to have antibacterial properties, it is also full of antioxidants, which help to rid you of all those free radicals known to accelerate aging. Another benefit of coconut oil is that it’s a great skin moisturizer, for all you do-it-yourselfers, you can find myriad ways it can be added to various beauty products to enhance their benefits and effectiveness.

Now that we’ve established that it can be beneficial to you, let’s explore a few ways we can us coconut oil for cooking. Since coconut oil is largely made up of saturated fat, it is able to withstand high temperatures as compared to other oils, this makes it the best oil for cooking. Coking with coconut oil also gives your food a change in flavour and texture that you don’t get from other cooking oils.

To cook with coconut oil, you can toss your vegetables in as little as a tablespoonful of coconut oil and keep it going until it is a light brown shade, this will give you a caramelized flavour and a slightly crispy texture. You can make yourself a satisfying dinner when you sauté your protein and vegetables.

For baking, coconut oil is a great substitute for butter, shortening or any other vegetable oil, use it freely in preparing your paleo-centric meals. It adds some extra lightness to your cupcakes, brownies, cookies and scones, a lightness you won’t get from butter.

You should note that as coconut oil is solid at room temperature, you should melt it before using it to bake, all you have to do is place a jar of your coconut oil in some hot water and let it sit for a few minutes, and if you’re going to be mixing it with some other cold ingredients, be sure to stir it in quickly so it doesn’t solidify and become clumpy. When it’s solid though, coconut oil is a great substitute for any dairy-free confections you want to make.

Making your granola with coconut oil improves the flavour and aroma and it helps preserve more of the nutritional components and value as well, as it doesn’t oxidize at high temperatures like other vegetable oils do.

For frying, the refined coconut oil is the recommended type to use. Pre-heating the oil in the pan is a good idea, just as with other oils.

There are so many other recipes and ways to cook with coconut oil to add a little extra flavor and a new twist to your old favorite meals. 

Get your 20% off now on all coconut oils. See code below:

Cinnamon - A delicious spice used in savoury dishes and sweet desserts; it is an ideal spice to help lower blood sugar, naturally helping to fight infections and stop vomiting or diarrhoea.

Cloves - Offering a warm and rich flavour to any dish; cloves can help with digestive problems, provide an immune system boost, protect vital organs like the liver and help to fight cancer.

Peppercorns - A versatile staple ingredient coming in many different varieties; peppercorns have high antibacterial properties and are packed full of vitamins and minerals.

Cumin - Slightly bitter tasting but an essential for enhanced flavour in dishes; this spice in its seed and oil form has major inflammatory properties, provides support for the digestive system and respiration functions as well as helping to maintain a healthy cholesterol.

Mace - Offering a similar taste to nutmeg but often sweeter and less intense; mace helps as a natural anti-depressant, it also enables better digestive functions and is high in vitamins like vitamin C and vitamin A.

Coconut - A unique taste, coconut adds a lot of flavour to savoury and sweet meals; every edible part of the coconut provides healthy fibre, a high concentration of needed calcium and a wide array of minerals, vitamins and digestive acids.

Coriander Seeds - Different to the leaves, the seeds can be crushed for a warm and spicy citrus flavour; coriander seeds can aid to lower blood pressure and blood sugar as well as helping with cholesterol levels and fight certain infections.

Kashmiri Chilli - A mild chilli used for the bright red colour it can offer a dish along with a little spicy heat; full of antioxidants, Kashmiri chilli provides a substantial supply of vitamins, especially vitamins A and B as well as important minerals like iron and magnesium.

Indian food is packed full of healthy spices and herbs that make every meal that extra bit special and incredibly delicious. Kolhapuri Vegetables is one of our favourite vegetarian lunch time dishes, easy to prepare and full of healthy Indian ingredients, so everyone can benefit from a midday health boost. Don’t fall into the trend of letting your lunch time meals get bland, prepare your spices in advance and when it comes to throwing something mouth-watering together, you are all set to go!

Amazing Recipe for the Spices Above. Quick, Easy and Delicious.

Kolhapuri Vegetables – Vegetarian Dish

Kohlapuri vegetables as the name suggests is a popular dish of Kohlapur city which is located in the South-west corner of Maharashtra. It's an eclectic mix of vegetables with desiccated coconut and is traditionally known to be spicy.

How to Make Kolhapuri Vegetables

1.Mix the vegetables, yogurt, ginger-garlic paste, lemon juice, salt and grated onions. Keep aside.

2.Heat oil and add the onions and stir-fry till light brown.

3.Add the ground masala, saute till well, mixed and add the vegetable mixture.

4.Bring to a boil, lower the heat, simmer for 3-4 minutes and serve.

Ingredients used: (Lisa the ingredients highlighted in red will be what this blog theme will go as i.e. healthy spices for a lunchtime indian dish, these are the ingredients to focus on and write about and then showing the recipe to the customer)

Ingredients

1/2 kg mixed vegetables-chopped

2 Tbsp fat free greek yogurt (mix with ginger-garlic paste & leave for 3-4 hours)

1 tsp ginger-garlic paste

2 tsp lemon juice

1 1/2 tsp salt

2 Tbsp oil

1/2 cup onion-grated

Dry roast separately and grind:

1/4 cinnamon ground

1/2 tsp cloves ground

1/4 tsp black peppercorns and cumin ground

1/4 tsp mace ground

1/4 dry grated coconut

1 Tbsp coriander seeds ground

1/2 Kashmiri Chilli ground.

Cardamom can be added whole to a dish, the green pods around the same size as a redcurrant make excellent spices to enhance the flavour of rice dishes or to provide a delicious marinade for meat. Cardamom seeds can be extracted from the pod, around 20 seeds can be found in each, and are perfect for grinding into a paste and adding to masalas or even adding to desserts for a unique flavour combination. While the cardamom pod is normally removed after cooking, the short time cardamom spends with your food is enough to impart a lot of flavour into your dish.

One of the most stunning Indian ingredients, cardamom also comes with a massive array of health benefits, a little cardamom a day can go a long way to helping with digestive problems. The properties of cardamom allow it to aid digestion in many different stages, including increasing the body’s natural bile production to help for the more efficient absorption of fats into the body. This in turn actively helps to reduce stomach cramping and bloating as well as acting to fight infections in the stomach. As opposed to other natural spices that help the digestion process, the sweet flavour of the cardamom seeds makes it a favourite for small children.

Cardamom further lends itself as a natural remedy to fight off bad breath, the antibacterial nature of the small seed and the oil produced kill off germs before they can affect your breath. The health properties of cardamom are extensive; with antioxidants to detox your body, the ability to lower blood pressure and improve the health of your kidneys, it is a very versatile spice. Being naturally full of minerals that regularise your heart rate, not only will cardamom improve your dish but it will continuously help your body stay in good health.

When it comes to mixing up your meals and exploring with the use of cardamom, there are many tried and tested affinities of cardamom that are an excellent place to start. As with many Indian spices, cardamom is an ideal addition to almost any variety of curry or curry marinade. It also pairs well with spices such as cinnamon, allspice and cloves to add a depth of flavour to a meal. One of the primary uses of cardamom is as an ingredient in tea, often a flavour-packed substitute to ginger tea.

Our early morning cardamom Indian tea is the perfect way to start the day in a way that is not only healthy but easy and delicious. The benefits that cardamom can bring to your meals and to your health are well worth investing in, especially since it pairs extremely well with chocolate!

See below for our Tasty Recipe for Early morning Cardamom Indian Tea.

Ingredients

For making 1 cup

• Milk- 1 cup
• Whole cardamom,
• Ground Tea - ½ tbsp
• Sugar - 1 tsp
• Jalpur Tea Masala – ¼ Tea Spoon (Optional)

Instructions

1.Place a saucepan over medium heat, pour milk into the pan.

2.Add whole cardamom. (You can also add Jalpur Tea Masala to give it a hint of Spice. This is Optional. Add this in with whole cardamom)

3.When milk comes to a slight boil, add ground tea, combine well.

4.Add sugar and combine well.

5.Let the milk come to a boil.

6.Remove the pan from the heat.

7.Strain the tea into a mug using a sieve.

8.Enjoy cardamom tea when hot along with biscuits. Dunk the biscuits in tea and enjoy.

Jalpur Tea Masala is optional to give it a delicious kick of spice. This complements well with Cardamom. 

For the whole period of June & July 2017 - we will be offering 10% off all Jalpur & Akaroo Branded Cardamom Products. Simple enter coupon code at check out.

Caraway seeds are a hidden Indian gem, providing a strong anise taste that is very earthy; the flavour these little seeds pack can transform any dish. The essential oils in caraway seeds provide a wide range of health benefits from aid with digestion to high antioxidant properties. To add a little heat to your dish, red pepper flakes are an ideal and extremely colourful option. Not only are they delicious when added to a variety of meals but they are also known to actively help the immune system fight off diseases and due to their spicy nature also help with congestion.

Black peppercorns can be the star of any dish and a healthy dose of the natural peppercorn will add a flavour burst to your dish. A host of perks come with black peppercorns that can help you to lose weight and leave your body in excellent condition. The antibacterial and antioxidant properties of black peppercorns both fight diseases and prevent infections along with boosting the health of your stomach by encouraging acid secretion. When you add pepper to your dish you are doing so much more than just giving it a flavour boost!

Cumin seeds are similarly spectacular when it comes to hiding a healthy kick in your meals. Giving dishes a peppery taste, cumin is one of the essential Indian spices that is used to add depth of flavour to a dish and assist in making it just that bit more delicious. A star spice for assisting with digestion and digestive functions, cumin is similar to black peppercorns with a natural ability to boost the immune system. It also aids in the fight against infections and with a variety of skin problems. From help with the common cold to assistance with asthma, cumin will not only see you dishing up a delicious meal but helping your whole family at the same time.

When you buy spices, their health benefits may not be the first thing you think of, but even the most common spices can help your body in a variety of ways. With so many Indian ingredients available you can doll up your dishes and deliver a special meal your family can enjoy every single night. Our Cumin-Chile Lamb Kebabs can keep the whole family happy; mixing healthy spices with sumptuous lamb and a beautiful garlic yogurt dip, you don’t need to look any further for a delicious meal to dish up!

Amazing Healthy Recipe to make the Perfect Cumin & Chilli Lamb Kebabs below:

Cumin-Chile Lamb Kebabs With Garlic Yogurt

A perfect cube is not essential, but try to get the lamb into roughly the same size pieces so they cook at the same rate.

Preparation

Garlic Yogurt

Stir garlic, lemon zest, and lemon juice into yogurt in a small bowl to combine; season with salt and pepper.

Do Ahead: Yogurt can be made 3 days ahead. Cover and chill.

Lamb and Assembly

Coarsely grind cumin seeds, peppercorns, caraway seeds, red pepper flakes, and sugar in spice mill or with mortar and pestle until only a few whole spices remain.

Prepare a grill for medium-high, indirect heat (for a charcoal grill, bank coals on one side of grill; for a gas grill, leave one or two burners off). Oil grates. Thread lamb onto 6–8 skewers, leaving a small gap between each piece of meat. Season with salt, then sprinkle generously with spice blend, pressing it onto the meat with your hands to help it adhere if needed.

Grill lamb over direct heat, turning every minute or so, until browned and beginning to char in spots, about 4 minutes. Move to cooler side of grill and continue to grill until lamb is cooked to desired doneness, about 4 minutes longer for medium-rare.

Top garlic yogurt with cracked black pepper and a little lemon zest. Serve alongside lamb.

Do Ahead: Spice blend can be made 1 month ahead. Store airtight at room temperature.

Garlic Yogurt

1 garlic clove, grated

½ teaspoon finely grated lemon zest

1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice

1 cup plain Greek fat free yogurt

Salt, freshly ground black pepper (or whole black pepper that needs to be ground down)

Lamb And Assembly

2 tablespoons cumin seeds

1 teaspoon black peppercorns

2 teaspoons caraway seeds (also known as Carom Seeds, Ajmo and Ajwain)

2 teaspoons crushed red pepper flakes

1 teaspoon sugar

Vegetable oil (for grill)

1¼ pounds boneless lamb shoulder, cut into 1-inch pieces

Salt, freshly cracked pepper

Finely grated lemon zest (for serving)

Basil is a staple herb seen as a part of every herb garden or rack; however, it’s lesser known seed counter-part has just as much to offer your dish. An unusual ingredient found in many Indian food dishes, basil seeds can revolutionise even the simplest of dishes with its unique texture and very un-basil-like taste. A fantastic addition to refreshing drinks on a warm summer’s day and a transformational ingredient in desserts and puddings, basil seeds are known for their special properties and amazing health benefits.

The black basil seed is fairly small and is very recognisable due to its tear shape; a very similar size as the more well-known chia seeds, their properties and flavour are quite different. Harvested from sweet basil plants they are known by many different names including sabja, Thai basil, subza, selasih, falooda and tukmaria. Before use, basil seeds are placed in water to soak where they gain a gelatinous property making them much more versatile for use in Indian foods. Basil seeds can be found in many recipes online accompanying Indian spices as well as being added to classic meals to enhance the flavour, change the texture, and thicken the dish.

The health benefits seen in basil seeds make them a wonderful addition to a wide variety of dishes and after a quick try of these little gems, you’re likely to be creating your own wondrous uses for them. One of the primary benefits of the seeds is their natural ability to help with digestion problems and relieve indigestion, the fibre packed outside of the seeds is perfect for anyone with digestive issues. The fibre-rich seed also helps to control your appetite, a perfect aid when trying to start a healthy diet and cut down on food cravings.

Despite being small, the basil seed has been shown to lower cholesterol and regulate blood sugar, a vital property for those with diabetes. Filled with antioxidants, the natural thickener hosts antibacterial aspects that strengthen the body’s ability to fight infections and even common colds and the symptoms of asthma. For prevention and relief, finding a home for basil seeds as a part of your regular meals or even indulging in refreshing and delicious basil seed drinks can see you reaping the benefits of this wonder seed.

The uses for basil seeds are as extensive as their health properties and can easily become a staple part of all your Indian food online recipes. One of the best ways to make use of the special seeds in their natural form is by adding them to your salads for extra flavour and texture as well as using them as star ingredient in drinks. Basil seeds mixed into homemade lemonade is a must for any hot summer day when you need a cold healthy drink to combat the heat!

Our basil seed and berry pudding is a perfect way to include basil seeds in comforting indulgent dishes whilst still staying health conscious. Mixing luxurious maple syrup along with vitamin and mineral packed toasted almonds, this dessert is just one way to highlight the magic of basil seeds, a discovery you just won’t be able to stop using! 

Recipe:

Basil Seed & Berry Pudding

Serves 4

Basil Seed & Berry Pudding - Gluten-Fee & Vegan too!

Ingredients

1.1 cup of almond milk, vanilla flavor if you wish

2.1 cup of plain yogurt, I use coconut or goat

3.2 T pure maple syrup, plus 4 t for servings (optional)

4.Pinch of Salt

5.¼ cup of dried basil seeds

6.1 pint of berries, any kind

7.¼ cup of sliced, toasted almonds (almonds can be bought as whole almonds and toasted on a frying pan four around 1-2 minutes)

Instructions

1.In a bowl whisk almond milk, yogurt, vanilla and the 2T of maple syrup until blended.

2.Add basil seeds and let stand 20 minutes.

3.Stir to move the seeds around, cover and refrigerate for a few hours or overnight.

4.When you are ready to assemble the pudding, mix the fruit with remaining maple syrup (if desired) and almonds in a separate bowl.

5.Divide the pudding into 4 bowls and mound the berry mixture on top. Voila!

6.For something even more decadent, you can add melted semi-sweet chocolate chips to the pudding mix. Make sure the melted chocolate is not too hot when you add it to the pudding.

Click below to get 20% off Basil Seeds. Simply enter code BASIL20 at checkout

Most people know turmeric as a bright yellow powder, but it naturally grows as a root and is actually part of the ginger family. It was originally found in Southeast Asia, and archaeologists have discovered pots covered in turmeric residue near New Delhi that date back as far as 2500 BC.

Turmeric is known to have been used medicinally for over 4,500 years, and its reputation for healing has now been proven by modern science. Turmeric contains properties called curcuminoids, the most important of which is curcumin, which also provides the vibrant colour. Curcumin is a powerful antioxidant and anti-inflammatory which has been proven to protect healthy cells from cancer causing agents, as well as helping to lower cholesterol and prevent heart disease. It is a good source of fibre, vitamin B6, vitamin C, potassium and magnesium, can help ease digestion and reduce bloating, and is very helpful for skin conditions such as eczema, psoriasis and acne. Plus, a little bit of turmeric stirred into soups and stews in the winter months can help to ward off colds.

Pretty impressive for a humble little root!

Turmeric is one of the most widely used Indian ingredients and features in a huge range of Indian dishes, including most curries. However, it is an incredibly versatile ingredient and can be used to lift many other dishes, thanks to its aromatic flavours. A pinch of turmeric added to rice or vegetables whilst cooking will bring a welcome splash of colour and a subtle warmth to your dishes, and it also works brilliantly in egg dishes such as frittata and quiches.

Turmeric has recently enjoyed huge popularity amongst the clean eating crowd and is used to make turmeric tea and turmeric latte. These beverages used to be the preserve of only the super healthy, but you can now easily buy one on your local high street. If you fancy making it yourself at home, try this easy recipe. It also works brilliantly in smoothies; our particular favourite is a savoury carrot, ginger and turmeric mix, which is a powerhouse of antioxidants and tastes delicious: check out a recipe here.

Another brilliant but less well-known way to use turmeric is as a marinade. Simply combine lemon juice, turmeric and finely chopped garlic and onion in a bowl until it has formed a loose paste, pop in a bag with chicken or prawns and place in the fridge overnight. This recipe works particularly well on a barbeque, and will definitely impress friends and family!

Why not introduce this finest of Indian ingredients into your cooking and reap the amazing health benefits? Visit the Akaroo online shop and try turmeric today and get 20% off!

But the question is, what are superfoods? And why is everyone so obsessed with them? Well, put simply, superfoods are things you can eat that are nutritionally dense and very beneficial to our health. They have very large doses of vitamins and minerals that can help to ward off diseases such as cancer and heart disease, and help us to live longer, healthier lives. It has also been claimed they can slow the ageing process, boost our intelligence and help to lift depression.

Superfoods are mostly plant-based, such as blueberries or spinach, but also include fish, dairy and meat, and tend to be rich in anti-oxidants such as beta-carotene, vitamins A, C and E, flavonoids and selenium, as well as omega-3 fatty acids. Green tea, coffee, dark chocolate, olives and yoghurt can also be included as superfoods!

However, as there are no set criteria for what makes a superfood, it can’t be classed as its own food group, and it’s worth doing a bit of research before believing the hype about the latest craze. Marketing companies can use the term ‘superfood’ to sell all sorts of products, such as juices and smoothies, even though they might have added sugar, salt or other things that outweigh the benefits of the raw superfood ingredients. Due to a lack of an official definition of what makes something a superfood, the EU has banned packaging on health food that includes the term, unless it can be supported by scientific evidence.

So, whilst no single type of food can magically transform your life, introducing a variety of superfoods into your diet will make a big difference to your health. It’s better to concentrate on an overall ‘super diet’ than one or two ‘superfoods’. Rather than looking for the more out there superfoods such as camu camu powder of chia seeds, you can easily get all the anti-oxidants and vitamins you need from superfoods you will easily find in your local supermarket or grocery shop. Broccoli, mushrooms, sweet potatoes, kale and chillies can be easily incorporated into everyday lunches and dinners, and blueberries, cherries, kiwi and spinach can be chucked into a blender and made into a super easy morning smoothie. These superfoods are cheap, available and delicious, so there’s no reason not to be reaping the health benefits from these incredible foods.

Get your superfood hit now with Arctic Power Berries - shop them now on our website!

Pack a flavourful punch into lunch

Even the simplest meals can become something special by creating a marinade or rub using Indian herbs and spices. Mix a drizzle of olive oil with some turmeric, garam masala and coriander, pour it on a chicken breast and refrigerate for a couple of hours, then cook and slice. It’s delicious in a sandwich with lettuce, or, if you’re watching the calories, added to a salad. This one is the perfect tasty lunch for both kids and adults, but you can take many very basic lunches to the next level of taste simply by adding a bit more flavour.

Keep it interesting

We usually get bored of our lunches not because we don’t like what we’re eating, but because we eat the same thing all the time. If you always take a cheese sandwich and a banana then lunchtime will be boring because you’ll know exactly what to expect when you open your lunchbox, but if the food inside looks exciting and appetising, lunch will be a real treat! For something a bit unusual, why not try combing Indian herbs and spices to make tandoori chicken skewers? Mix natural yoghurt, turmeric, cumin, coriander, ginger, garlic and fenugreek and pour into a plastic sandwich bag with some chicken. Refrigerate overnight and cook the next day, then serve with tortilla wraps and salad. So simple and so delicious!

Snack happy

There is plenty of scientific research that suggests eating several smaller meals every day is better than eating three big ones, and it can be good for weight loss as frequent eating keeps your metabolism running, regulates your blood sugar and staves off hunger cravings. However, for snacking to work, they have to be healthy ones that aren’t full of sugar. If you usually find yourself reaching for a bar of chocolate, why not try something savoury but full of flavour such as samosas or onion bhajis? The combinations of Indian herbs and spices in these will give keep your taste buds entertained without you having to resort to a sugar high. Though these might sound tricky to make, they’re actually very simple and fun too – the kids will love to help. Both samosas and onion bhajis need a good selection of Indian herbs and spices, including old favourites such as coriander, cumin, chilli, turmeric, garam masala and ginger, as well as slightly more unusual ones such as mango powder, or amchoor powder.

Why not try our baked salmon fillet recipe to really liven up your lunchbox?

Prep time: 5 mins 

Cook time: 15 mins

Serves: 2

Ingredients (click the ingredients below to find them in our shop)

2 x salmon fillets (skin on)

2 tbsp coconut yoghurt

1/2 tsp ground cumin

1 tsp ground turmeric

1/2 tsp curry powder

1/4 tsp salt

1/4 tsp pepper

1 tsp coconut oil

Instructions

1) Preheat oven to 200 C and line a small baking tray with a piece of foil (or baking paper). Rub the teaspoon of olive oil or coconut oil over the foil to help stop the salmon sticking.

2) In a small bowl or a mug, combine the coconut yoghurt, all of the spices and the salt and pepper until you have a smooth paste.

3) Place the salmon fillets skin side down on the baking tray. Cover the top and sides of the salmon evenly with the spiced yoghurt mixture.

4) Bake the salmon fillets for 12 to 15 minutes, depending on thickness, until just tenderly cooked. Serve immediately, or save for later and serve cold.

Happy cooking!

That’s where we come in. At Akaroo, we produce the finest Indian herbs and spices, made with dedication, time and love, and create a world of taste that is far superior to anything you can buy in the supermarket. We travel the world looking for farmers who grow their own crops and trial their products to make sure they meet our high standards. These raw materials are then ground using a process called stone milling, a traditional method of grinding that produces the finest powder and gives our products an authentic, homemade quality.

Akaroo has been established for over 30 years, so we can guarantee that we know what we’re talking about when it comes to Indian herbs and spices, and you can trust that our products will be the ones that take your dishes that extra mile from bland to brilliant. We were established in 1978 by two family members with a few milling devices and a small shop on Harrison Road, Leicester, with the aim of making and selling flours and spices using traditional methods. 

After a decade of trading, one of the original founders was joined by his two younger brothers to expand further and create a respectable family business. As the business went from strength to strength and grew ever larger, we moved to bigger premises and bought more manufacturing machinery so that we could keep up with the demand for our products, which boomed during the 80’s and 90’s due to an increase in the UK’s Asian population.

We have continued to grow and our products are so popular that we export to many parts of the world, including the USA, Canada and parts of Europe. We pride ourselves on being a family business, and remain an active part of the community, providing the best quality ethnic food and excellent customer service. As you can see, amazing ingredients are what we are all about, so if you want to create delicious Asian dishes at home, make sure you start by shopping at Akaroo. 

Why not put our Indian herbs and spices to the test by trying our tandoori chicken recipe?

Ingredients - click the ingredients to find them in our shop

2 x organic chicken breasts

4 tsp tandoori masala

3/4 tsp garlic and ginger paste

3/4 tsp chilli powder

1 tsp lime juice

2 tsp fat free yoghurt

1 tsp olive oil

Cilantro & Fresh Squeezed Lime to garnish

Method

1. Combine chicken & all ingredients through Lime Juice

2. Refrigerate for at least 3 hours

3. Add Yogurt and Olive Oil and refrigerate for an additional hour

4. Bake chicken for 20-25 minutes at 350 degrees

The basics

Before you learn which Indian herbs and spices to use, it’s essential that you grasp how to use them. The tastiest dishes don’t need loads of spices – sometimes simplicity is best – and ‘less is more’ is a good rule of thumb, as putting too much in can easily ruin a meal. Indian cooking doesn’t always require a lot of heat; it very much depends on what you like, and what the people you’re cooking for enjoy. You can achieve fragrant and flavourful tones that are mild in flavour and not overpowered by too much chilli.

Choose the best quality ingredients

Using good quality ingredients will always enhance the taste of your food so don’t immediately go for the cheapest option. Whilst supermarket spices are convenient, it’s worth bearing in mind how long they might have been sitting on the shelf, as stale spices do not taste good. You should also consider how your spices have been manufactured, as ground spices are often cut with other substances, such as salt, rice or flour, which can drastically affect their flavour. If you can grind your own spices it’s a great idea to purchase them whole as this will retain the maximum flavour.

The essentials

If you’re just embarking on your journey in Indian cooking, you don’t need to immediately spend a fortune on hundreds of different spices; here are a few basics that will get you started.

• Cumin. One of the best known Indian spices, cumin has a sweet and slightly bitter taste, and is full of earthy flavour that adds lots of depth to your cooking. Cumin seeds have a softer flavour than the powder, which adds a touch more intensity to each dish.

• Coriander. Coriander is a floral spice, with sweet and light tones that turn nuttier when the seeds are ground. It is one of the most frequently used of the Indian herbs and spices and a bestseller in the UK, due to its versatility. Try making salmon with a lime, coriander and chilli crust – we guarantee it will be a crowd pleaser.

• Turmeric. Turmeric is an essential building block in many Indian dishes and is one of the main ingredients in any ‘pre-mixed’ curry mix. It pairs very well with many other spices and will give your food a vibrant yellow colour. Try it on chicken or use it to create a beautiful, spicy dhal.

• Green cardamom seeds. Cardamom is a very fragrant, aromatic and strong spice, which gives any dish a zesty lift. It goes brilliantly with meat and poultry dishes, but be careful with it, as a little goes a long way.

• Kashmiri chilli powder. This gorgeous red powder has a mild heat that adds a gentle amount of heat to your cooking. It has a wonderfully distinctive flavour and is an essential ingredient in dishes such as tandoori chicken and Rogan Josh curry.

We are proud to sell Indian herbs and spices of the highest quality: why not buy the ingredients linked below and put your new spice knowledge to the test by trying our easy pomegranate shrikhand?

Easy Pomegranate Shrikhand

These ruby red jewels are packed with vitamin C and are thought to contain antibacterial properties. Rich in antioxidants, the juice of this middle eastern fruit has been proven in some studies to combat heart disease and blood pressure. Pomegranate has been used in Ayurvedic medicine for centuries, to remedy diarrhoea and dysentery.

Ingredients - click the ingredient to find it in our shop

100g of pomegranate seeds (about one medium-sized pomegranate)

500g of fat-free Greek Yogurt

Caster sugar (to taste)

1/4 tsp of cardamom powder

Small pinch of saffron

2 tsp of rose water

12-15 roughly chopped pistachios

Method

1) In a mixing bowl, smooth together the quark cheese and caster sugar. Include enough sugar to your taste for a dessert.

2) Combine the quark cheese and sugar mixture with the cardamom powder, rose water and chopped pistachios.

3) Squash the strands of saffron into the side of the bowl, then beat them in. The light orange colour will infuse into the shrikhand.

4) Mix in half of the pomegranate seeds, leaving the other half for decoration and then serve.

Turmeric

Turmeric is widely used in Indian cooking to add colour and taste, but it also has some amazing medicinal uses, and has been found to fight heartburn, digestive issues and inflammation. It’s basically a superfood and has inspired the craze of the turmeric latte, which the health conscious crowd are drinking like it’s going out of fashion. Intrigued? Check out the recipe and try it now!

Ginger

Ginger adds a warming, earthy flavour to your cooking and is well known for settling unhappy stomachs, but what is less widely known is that it’s great for your skin, thanks to the abundance of antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties it has. Ginger makes a wonderful face scrub that can help to remove spots: simply combine 2tbsp of olive oil, 1tbsp of ground ginger and 4tbsp of brown sugar and enjoy clear, glowing skin!

Kashmiri chilli powder

Aside from adding a wonderful, subtle heat to food, and being great for your health, Kashmiri chilli powder is one of the Indian herbs and spices that can benefit your body on the outside as well as the inside! Chilli powder can be used to make an incredible lip plumper, which gives you beautiful, full lips without resulting to Botox. Learn how to make your own here.

Coarse black pepper

Black pepper is usually used as a final touch of seasoning, or perhaps to make a tasty sauce for a steak, but what not many people know is that it is incredibly good for giving you shining and dandruff-free hair. To remove excess dry skin from your scalp, add a teaspoon of crushed black pepper to a bowl of curd, apply it to your hair, and leave for 30 minutes. Just remember to wash it off, or you could end up with a burning head. Ouch!

Dried mint

Mint is amazing and is used in so many delicious treats, from chocolate to tea to mojitos, but there’s more to it than just making things taste awesome. Next time you have a bath, try adding some mint to take your relaxation to the next level. Not only does it smell incredible but it has loads of benefits for your skin, including fighting acne, unclogging pores and loosening dead skin cells. Forget candles and rose petals: all you need is mint.

If you’re not feeling brave enough to use these Indian herbs and spices in these ways, why not cook up a storm? Check out our avocado and coconut curry - it's a real crowd pleaser!

Avocado Coconut Curry

An easy to make coconut curry with the added goodness of avocado and a burst of flavours.

Recipe servings – 5

Cooking time – 25 mins

Ingredients - click the ingredient to find it in our shop

2 tbs coconut oil

2 dried red chillies (Kashmiri Chillies)

1 tbs Fenugreek Seeds

1tbs Mustard seeds

1 onion

4-5 garlic cloves

1 piece of ginger

1 green chilli

2 stem curry leaves

1 tbs turmeric powder

1 tbs red chilli powder

1 tbs Coriander powder

1 tomato

1 cup coconut milk

1 tbs rice flour

1 avocado

1 tbs tamarind paste

Method

1) Heat oil in a pan

2) Add dry red chillies, fenugreek seeds & mustard seeds

3) Sauté onion, garlic cloves, ginger, green chilli & curry leaves, for 1-2 minutes

4) Add turmeric, red chilli, corianderpowder, tomato & coconut milk

5) Add some water to avoid burning the spices

6) Take rice flour in a bowl, mix with water and add to the curry (Mix with enough water to make it thick but not too runny)

7) Now add tamarind paste in to pan. Cover with lid and cook for 4-5 mins

8) Place chopped avocado in a plate and pour the curry over it

9) Serve hot

Lamb Tikka flatbreads

This meal is the ultimate fake-away for a midweek feast and is sure to become a firm favourite. It has just 8 ingredients, and takes 10 minutes to prepare and 10 minutes to cook, giving you ample time to lay the table and make sure hands are washed. Load the flatbreads with vegetables to make sure everyone is getting their five a day, whilst still enjoying a delicious and satisfying meal.

Curried lentils and paneer

This meal takes 20 minutes to make from start to finish, and combines plenty of Indian herbs and spices to make it a wonderfully tasty winner. Melt-in-the-mouth paneer provides a great source of protein, whilst the hearty lentils help to lower cholesterol. It’s packed with flavour, good for your family’s health and is destined to become a mid-week staple.

Indian fried rice

If you need to trick the kids into eating their five a day, this recipe is the perfect way to hoodwink them, thanks to its incredible taste. It’s made using ghee, which gives the dish a lovely rich taste, has many great health benefits, such as strengthening your immune system, and is suitable for those who are lactose intolerance. It tastes as good as anything you’ll get from your local Indian restaurant and takes just 30 minutes to cook.

Chicken curry in a hurry

The idea of cooking a curry can be overwhelming because the perceived wisdom is that a good curry takes ages. However, it’s not true: you can whip up a flavoursome and wholesome curry, without resorting to a sugar heavy sauce from a jar, in just 25 minutes. This curry is a protein-packed feast for the senses, featuring some of our favourite Indian herbs and spices.

Chicken Tikka Masala skewers

Children like anything that’s a bit different and they won’t be able to keep their hands off these fun chicken skewers. This meal takes a little longer than the others – 25 minutes to prepare and 10 minutes to cook – but it’s worth it and the kids will love to get involved. As well as being a real crowd pleaser, it’s healthy too, and the ginger in the meal provides a host of medicinal properties that can aid digestion and support the immune system.

Smoky roasted aubergines

This is our own delicious recipe, featuring many of our favourite Indian herbs and spices. It’s quick and easy to make, taking 10 minutes to prepare and 20 to cook, and really good for your family’s health, thanks to the inclusion of turmeric and aubergines, both of which are packed full of antioxidants. This is a weeknight winner that the whole family will love.

Start cooking up a storm now by trying our smokey roasted aubergine recipe - shop the ingredients below!

Recipe 2 - Smokey Roasted Aubergines 

Prep Time: 10 mins

Cooking Time: 17-20 mins

Approx Time: 30 mins

Serves 4

Ingredients - click the ingredients to find them in our online shop

4 aubergines

4 tsp rapeseed oil

1 tsp cumin seeds

4 garlic cloves

2 onions(thinly sliced)

2 tomoatoes (thinly sliced)

4 green chillies (finely chopped) or 1 tsp chilli flakes

4 tsp if dry coriander leaves

1 tsp coriander powder

1 tsp turmeric powder

1 tsp ground cumin salt, to taste

Method

1) - Char the aubergines on a gas burner over a medium heat, turning regularly for even roasting.

When roasted, set aside to cool. Once cooled, peel the skins from the roasted aubergines, then mash.

2) -  Heat the rapeseed oil in a nonstick pan. Add the cumin seeds, then immediately add the sliced garlic and stir for a minute. Add the chopped onions and cook, stirring, for 4-5 minutes on a high heat. Keep stirring.

3) -  Add the chopped tomatoes, green chillies and coriander and cook for 2 minutes. Add the rest of the spices (Coriander Powder, Turmeric Powder, Ground Cumin) and the salt. Mix well.

4) -  Add the mashed aubergine, cover the pan and cook for 5 minutes over a low heat.

Kashmiri chilli powder

Kashmiri chilli powder is of the Indian herbs and spices that have boomed in popularity amongst foodies in recent years. It’s a little milder than your bog standard chilli, and imparts a rich taste and incredible red colour to every meal. Kashmiri chilli is also incredibly good for you: one teaspoon in a meal provides enough vitamin A to fulfil your daily intake, and it acts as a detoxifier that helps to eliminate toxins from your body and increases the supply of vital nutrients to the tissues. Its amazing flavour stands out best in simple dishes, such as curries, chilli con carne, crispy chilli beef and our delicious potato and Kashmiri chilli recipe. Try it for yourself and see!

Fennel

Fennel is one of those ingredients that you either love or you hate, but if you’re lucky enough to be a fan, you will enjoy the light, bright, aniseed-like taste that it brings to your dishes. Fennel can be added to pretty much anything, as it’s so versatile. Try it with pork, tomatoes and pasta, or spaghetti with a sauce of orange, garlic and mint: you’ll be surprised at how it can give the dullest meal an amazing lift.

Turmeric

Turmeric is one of the most amazing Indian herbs and spices available, and packs a huge punch in terms of both taste and health benefits. This vibrant yellow spice contains so many antioxidants that it is rightly described as a superfood, so don’t be shy when adding it to your dishes. Some of our favourite turmeric recipes include sea bass with turmeric potatoes, aubergine fritters with cumin and turmeric, and turmeric roasted cauliflower.

Ground coriander

Coriander is an absolute hero when it comes to spicing up your mid-week meal, thanks to its nutty, spicy and warming flavours. Though it is mainly associated with curry, a liberal dash of coriander can brighten any dish: think lime and coriander rice or coriander marinated chicken or carrot and coriander soup. It’s healthy too, being rich in vitamin C and vitamin K, and is packed with protein.

Kashmiri chilli powder

Kashmiri chilli powder is of the Indian herbs and spices that have boomed in popularity amongst foodies in recent years. It’s a little milder than your bog standard chilli, and imparts a rich taste and incredible red colour to every meal. Kashmiri chilli is also incredibly good for you: one teaspoon in a meal provides enough vitamin A to fulfil your daily intake, and it acts as a detoxifier that helps to eliminate toxins from your body and increases the supply of vital nutrients to the tissues. Its amazing flavour stands out best in simple dishes, such as curries, chilli con carne, crispy chilli beef and our delicious potato and Kashmiri chilli recipe. Try it for yourself and see!

Coarse black pepper

Black pepper has a wonderful earthy taste and subtle heat that makes it a wonderfully versatile addition to your cooking. Whilst many people use it exclusively as a final seasoning, the spice can be used as a main ingredient to make meals such as black pepper tofu, Chinese beef with honey black pepper sauce or even, if you’re feeling fancy, a black peppercorn syrup to be served with ice cream. As well as being tasty, black pepper is super healthy and can aid in weight loss as it helps your body to break down fat cells.

Why not give our spinach and tofu curry a try? Springtime spinach is a source of beta carotene and folate, but don’t expect Popeye’s instant biceps! Rich in antioxidants and containing vitamin K and Iron (which will be better absorbed with vitamin C) spinach will help your skin, immune system, heart, your bones and energy levels.

Spinach and Tofu Curry

Recipe (serves 3-4)

Ingredients - click the ingredients to find them in our shop

250g of firm tofu, cubed

200g of baby leaf spinach, coarsely chopped or Canned Spinach

2 deep red tomatoes, chopped into cubes

One small-medium onion, peeled and diced

2 green chillies, chopped

2 cloves of garlic (finely chopped) and 5g of ginger (grated)

A bay leaf

1 tsp coriander seeds

1 tsp cumin seeds

2 cloves

A small stick of cinnamon

Pinch of asafoetida

1 tsp of paprika

¼ tsp of black pepper powder

Method

1.Heat 1tbsp of oil in a non-stick frying pan and shallow fry the cubes of tofu until they are golden brown. Remove the tofu onto kitchen paper and allow the cubes to cool.

2. In a separate pan heat two tablespoons of oil before adding the asafoetida. Next, put in the cumin seeds, coriander seeds, cloves, bay leaf and cinnamon and let the cumin seeds crackle before mixing in the chillies.

3. Stir in the onions and sauté for a couple of minutes before introducing the garlic. When the onion has softened add the tomatoes, salt to taste and turmeric and cook until the tomatoes are smooth and pulpy.

4. Sprinkle in the black pepper and paprika, then combine the cubes of shallow fried tofu into the curry base.

5. Wilt the spinach into the curry and add the grated ginger. Simmer for 3-4 minutes before turning off the heat.

Prep Time: 10 mins Cooking Time: 15 mins

1) Coarse crushed pepper

If you want to lose a bit of weight, coarse crushed pepper can help you to achieve your goals. The outer layer of a peppercorn contains phytonutrients that help to break down fat cells, and also increase metabolism, which helps your body to burn more calories. Pepper also aids digestion because it stimulates your taste buds in a way that sends a message to your stomach to produce more hydrochloric acid, which is vital for digesting proteins.

2) Ghee

Ghee is traditionally used in Indian cooking in much the same way as butter. It is a rich source of vitamins A, E and K2 and conjugated Linoleic Acid (CLA) if it is sourced from grass-fed cows. Top athletes use ghee as a consistent energy source, thanks to the plentiful amounts of medium chain fatty acids in it. It is also a great alternative to butter for people with lactose intolerances.

3) Ground coriander

Coriander is one of the best known Indian herbs and spices, thanks to its wonderful spicy flavour, but it also has many healing properties. It is an excellent source of iron and magnesium and can be used to treat skin inflammation, high cholesterol, diarrhoea, anaemia, indigestion and allergies – to name just a few!

4) Garam Masala

Garam Masala is a mix of many Indian herbs and spices, including cloves, black pepper, bay leaves, cardamom, red chilli, star anise and cumin. All of these ingredients are incredibly rich in antioxidants, which gives Garam Masala its magical anti-ageing properties!

5) Green cardamom powder

Cardamom is brilliant for oral health – it helps to fight tooth decay and gum disease, and also keeps bad breath, mouth ulcers and infections at bay. It has a huge amount of antioxidants, which protect the body against ageing and stress, and also has impressive preventative properties against diseases such as cancer; studies have shown that cardamom can inhibit the growth of and even kill some cancers.

6) Cinnamon

Cinnamon is well known for its sweet, slightly spicy taste, but not so much for its health benefits. It contains a compound called cinnamaldehyde, an antioxidant that fights inflammation, lowers cholesterol and helps to maintain stable blood sugar levels.

7) Dry basil

Basil tastes best combined with tomatoes and garlic – the foundations of a sauce that is not only delicious, but wonderfully good for your health too. The herb has anti-inflammatory properties that can bring relief to diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis and inflammatory bowel conditions. It is also a natural cancer preventative, thanks to antioxidants that fight free radical damage and protect cell health.

8) Cayenne pepper

Cayenne pepper has plenty of the fiery kick often associated with Indian herbs and spices, which is down to high amounts of a compound called capsaicin. This compound reduces appetite and enhances your body’s ability to burn fat, making it great for weight loss, plus it has been found to help combat lung, liver and prostate cancer.

9) Ginger

Ginger is a delightfully warming herb that can be used in both sweet and savoury dishes. It has been used for many years in medicine and is known for treating nausea and helping pregnant women suffering from morning sickness. Research has also shown that it can fight the pain and stiffness associated with osteoarthritis.

10) Thyme

Thyme isn’t an obvious contender for a list of Indian herbs and spices, but this pungent leaf is used in many Indian dishes. Thyme is excellent for healing respiratory problems like bronchitis, coughs and chest congestions. It is also packed full of vitamins A and C, which help you maintain a strong immune system.

Check out our healthy chicken curry recipe below to ensure you don’t cut quality whilst you may be cutting calories! All the ingredients you’ll need are linked! Happy cooking!

Ingredients - click the ingredients to find them in our online shop

1 tbsp coconut oil

10g grass-fed butter

3 cloves of garlic - crushed

1 medium onion, finely chopped

2 tbsp Garam Masala

1 tsp Ground Coriander

Half tsp dried mint

570g of organic skinless chicken breast, diced

200 ml water

Method

Step 1 - Heat the coconut oil and the butter in a large frying pan

Step 2 - Add the garlic, onion and saute for about 5 minutes until the onion is golden brown

Step 3 - Stir in the Garam Masala, Coriander and Mint

Step 4 - Add the chicken and cook over a moderate heart for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally

Step 5 - Add the water, stir and simmer without a lid for a further 10-15 minutes until the chicken is cooked and the sauce has thickened.

Serve with a generous handful of chopped coriander! 

1) Turmeric

Turmeric is the yellow spice that gives many Indian dishes their vibrant colour, but it is also a nutritional superstar amongst Indian herbs and spices. The spice has been used in Indian cooking for thousands of years and has long been believed to have medicinal properties, something that recent scientific studies have backed up. The main compound in turmeric is curcumin, a powerful anti-inflammatory that helps to fight many of the prevailing diseases in the Western world such as heart disease and cancer.

2) Cumin

Cumin is widely used in Indian food and gives many dishes their distinctive, aromatic taste. Cumin is brilliant for your digestion and has also found to be helpful for problems such asthma, bronchitis, anaemia and the common cold. It is remarkably low in sodium – a tablespoon of cumin contains just 10 milligrams – which is great for your health as too much sodium can lead to high blood pressure. Low sodium spices like cumin can add bags of flavour to healthy dishes without resorting to high sodium flavourings like salt.

3) Dried mint

Mint is widely regarded as health food, but dried mint is actually the best choice as it contains more vitamins, minerals and fibre than the fresh stuff. It’s wonderfully aromatic and will give your dishes a zesty lift, and it has loads of health benefits too. Mint is very soothing for your stomach and aids digestion, it can help you lose weight, it helps to relieve the symptoms of asthma, and it’s very beneficial for skin problems.

4) Fennel seeds

Fennel seeds have a slightly sweet taste that is often compared to liquorice, but that doesn’t stop it being one of the most used Indian herbs and spices in savoury dishes. Fennel seeds are excellent for your digestion and are a brilliant remedy for flatulence and indigestion, and they have been used to soothe colic pain in new babies. Despite their tiny size, these seeds pack a massive punch when it comes to vitamins, containing vitamin A, vitamin C, vitamin E, and many B-complex vitamins like thiamine, pyridoxine, riboflavin and niacin. They are also full of fibre, which is essential to a healthy diet – just 100g of fennel seeds provide 39.8g of fibre. Impressive stuff!

5) Kashmiri Chilli Powder

Kashmiri chilli powder is milder than its more fiery counterparts, but that doesn’t stop it from being a nutritional powerhouse compared to other Indian herbs and spices. Just a small amount of Kashmiri chilli powder contains enough vitamin A to fulfil the daily recommended allowance, and it is also packed with vitamins B and E which can help to lower fat and cholesterol, which will help to prevent heart disease. It is also an excellent source of vitamin C, which has incredible antioxidant properties and helps to strengthen your immune system.

Why not try our healthy Vegetarian Kashmiri Chilli Potatoes by following the below recipe - it’s a guaranteed crowd pleaser! We’ve linked all the ingredients you’ll need below so you can start cooking up a storm...

Ingredients - click the ingredients to find them in our online shop

4 medium potatoes - cut into quarter inch thick slices

4 cups of water

1 tsp salt

1 tbsp lemon juice

Half a tsp coarsely crushed pepper

1 and a half tsp Kashmiri Chilli Powder

2 tsp crushed fennel seeds

4 tbsp ghee or butter

1 tbsp short cut fresh pieces of ginger

Half tsp green cardamom powder

Chopped coriander leaves or dry coriander leaves crushed

Flat pieces of coconut pieces - optional

Method

Step 1 - Boil sliced potatoes for 5 minutes in 4 cups of water with 1 tsp salt, 1 tsp Kashmiri Chilli and 1 tbsp lemon juice

Step 2 - Cool the sliced potatoes and saute in a big frying pan with 2 tbsp of ghee/butter until golden

Step 3 - Heat another 2 tbsp ghee, add crushed pepper and ginger pieces. Cook until the ginger turns a little crisp

Step 4 - Add the fennel seeds and half a tsp of Kashmiri Chilli Powder and cook for about 30 seconds

Step 5 - Add 4 tbsp water and when the water comes to a boil add the potatoes.

Step 6 - Add salt to taste and cook for about a minute until dry.

Step 7 - Sprinkle coconut, half tsp green cardamom powder

Serve with a few coriander leaves! 

- more products
- cheaper prices
- better website functionality
- compare products
- buy gift certificates
- see recipe videos on product page
- and many more

In order for our system to be a more user friendly experience we have also updated the way our customers get to see orders, create return requests and follow the status of their orders in their my account page. Due to this update customer details had to be updated to the new system which will require all customers to update their passwords. We have already done the hard work. All customer details have been updated into the new system. The only thing required from you would be to just create a new or update your password with our new system. The way to do this is:

- Please click on the sign in button above on the top right.
- You will be taken to log in page.
- On the log in page please click on forgot your password.
- You will now be required to enter your email address.
- Once you have entered your email address, you will receive an email with a link to reset your password.
- Please click on this link and you will be a few steps away to resetting your password.

To update and create new password from website: www.jalpurmillersonline.com

- Please go onto www.jalpurmillersonline.com
- On the home page please click on the my account button right at the top which sits on the grey border/background
- Now you will be taken to the log in page
- On the log in page please click on forgot your password.
- You will now be required to enter your email address.
- Once you have entered your email address, you will receive an email with a link to reset your password.
- Please click on this link and you will be a few steps away to resetting your password.

Please not for security reasons, we make sure our customers have the best shopping experience possible and we do not hold customer passwords on file. This is so our site remains secure and the people who know or have access to their accounts are yourselves the customer.

Please enjoy our new website - for all existing customers you can receive 10% off your first order with our new website. Please enter code 10FIRST at the checkout page.

Thank You and we very much appreciate your custom.

JALPUR MILLERS ONLINE