The first words which come to mind when thinking of Indian food are usually: Hot, spicy, oily, rich, fatty and creamy. However, even though Indian food is hugely popular, it is also highly misunderstood. In fact, Indian food includes an array of healthy spices which are cooked in a multitude of ways. Whilst Indian food includes proteins, carbohydrates, fats, and all the elements to make a balanced diet, find out below exactly how you can keep your Indian dishes authentic and healthy.
Use oil sparingly
Whilst olive oil has been found to have numerous health benefits, it should only be used for stir-frying and pan-frying. Also, only a little splash is needed. This oil is not recommended for deep-frying due to the large quantity which is required. If you need a top tip when it comes to oil, we suggest that you swap your cookware to non-stick. This will help you reduce the amount of oil needed when cooking delicious curries.
Cut down on fat
If you are trying to cut down on the fat content of your meal, simply swap dishes and breads to those that don’t require any frying.
Substitutions for coconut milk
If you wish to add richness to a dish, try using skimmed milk, cashew nut paste or poppy seed paste in the place of regular coconut milk or cream.
Lighten the load
Bulk up your Indian dishes by using legumes like sprouted beans and lentils. You are sure to get a substantial meal but avoiding the regular amount of meat, which will make your dish lighter.
Better your bases
Whilst coconut products have health benefits, the fat content is usually high so you should opt for tomato bases rather than creamy curries. Or, why not use low-fat yogurt as a substitute?
Do you have a top tip when it comes to cooking Indian food? Be sure to let us know. Plus, check out our other blogs; all are focussed on Indian food and contain some very useful Indian cookery tips.