Boiling is undoubtedly one of India’s favourite cooking techniques. Not only is it healthy and all that, but it also innately matches well with our taste requirements. Veggies cooked to the right level of softness yet retaining a mild crispness fit perfectly into our spicy gravies.
Broken wheat boiled to the right level, not mushy yet well cooked, is just perfect for sheeras. And then, the yummy boiled beans that go into the usal. So on and so forth the story goes on about recipes made perfect using the humble cooking method!
how to sprout moong | healthy mung beans sprouts | how to sprout mung beans at home | how to make sprouts
Indian Veg Boiled Soup Recipes
Boiling is just perfect for soups, because you can cook the ingredients to the perfect level as required by the recipe. You can also get sufficient stock for the base. If it is a pureed soup, you can cook the veggies soft. If the boiled veggies are added as it is, you can retain the crispness to give the soup a nice bite.
Be it the Paneer and Spinach Soup, the Oats and Vegetable Broth, the Coco Peanut Soup or the Mushroom Soup, boiling is the right technique for you. You can also make light and comforting dal-based soups like the Moong Osaman. The cooking method gives you delicious results in a healthy way.
cream of mushroom soup | Indian style mushroom soup | creamy mushroom soup |
Indian Boiled Veg Starters, Salads and Snacks
How boring would a day be without quick bites, be it the starters and salads served with a meal, tea-time snacks, or anytime hunger busters? Well, boiling does help to make your starters and snacks quicker and a bit healthier than more oily cooking methods.
Have a go at the exotic but healthy Cous Cous Salad and yummy Potato Saung, the easy and comforting Rice Khichu or healthy Nachni Khichu!
rice khichu | gujarati rice khichu | rice flour khichu | chawal ka atta khichu |
Indian Curries Using Boiling Method
Boiling method is probably the secret behind the success of most Indian curries. It helps in two aspects. First of all, it helps to make the gravy or base in a much easier and quicker fashion. For example, cooking tomatoes for the gravy or dal for your Sambar. Check out how to make Basic Makhani Gravy and Tomato Gravy using this cooking method.
makhani gravy recipe | restaurant style makhani gravy | Punjabi makhani gravy | Indian makhani curry |
Then, of course, boiling enables you to cook the veggies that go into the gravy, to the perfect texture. When you boil the veggies, you can add them stage by stage, so that all the veggies get cooked to the right consistency. Hard and fibrous veggies that take longer to cook go into the pot earlier, while those that are softer are thrown in later. So, at the end of the cooking process, they are all cooked to perfection. None are uncooked, none are mushy! Have a go at delectable Indian boiled veg curries like the Mangalorean Drumstick Curry, Subzi Kadhi and Cabbage Poriyal.
Mangalorean drumstick curry recipe | Mangalorean style drumstick curry | drumstick sabzi |
Indian Dal Recipes
No Indian meal is complete without protein-rich dal recipes. It is usually served for lunch as well as dinner, along with rotis or rice. Be it North Indian dal delights like the Hariyali Dal, Vaal ki Usal or Dahiwali Toovar Dal, or South Indian treats like the Sambhar, Tomato Rasam or Kovalam Mutter, you can quickly add a dose of the all-rounder nutrient, protein, to your meal using the method of boiling.
Hariyali Dal ( Cooking with 1 Teaspoon Oil)
Indian Veg Boiled Rice Dishes
Most of us have rice with at least one meal of the day, and it is quite easy to make a variety of rice-based dishes using boiling. Plus, you can also throw in some dal, veggies and myriad spices to make it a one-pot meal! For a simple meal, try the Green Peas Pulao. When you want the world on your lunch table, go for the Vegetable Risotto.
Matar Pulao, Green Pea Pulao
You can also replace rice with other grains like bulgur wheat to make equally tasty and wholesome bowlfuls such as the Orange Tabbouleh.
Indian Desserts Using Boiling Method
Yummy news for the sweet tooth! When it comes to quick and easy desserts using boiling, we Indians are spoilt for choice. From the basic Poha Phirni to the absolutely mind-blowing Strawberry Kheer, there are a range of dessert recipes that can be fixed up quickly and easily through boiling. You can also try some healthy options like the Healthy Sheera.
Strawberry Kheer
While at it, also try international sweet treats like the Lemon Cheesecake.
Indian Veg Boiled Basic Recipes
Boiling is also extremely handy when you want to make basic recipes, like Tomato Puree, Vegetable Stock, White Stock, Chocolate Sauce or Tamarind Paste. Using the boiling method of cooking, you can quickly and easily stock up on essential basic recipes in your kitchen, to make daily cooking easier and faster.
Tomato Puree, Homemade Tomato Puree, Pulp
Really, boiling is an awesome method, a veritable boon because it helps strike the perfect balance between health, taste and time. So, go for it. Experiment with our wide range of recipes, and also try adapting your own recipes using this method.