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    Home » Articles

    Assumptions I Avoid

    Published: Apr 24, 2019 · Modified: Feb 12, 2022 by Alonna

    Assumptions I Avoid When Writing Indian Recipes
    When following many Indian recipes, I find that too many assumptions are made and I give detailed measurements, ingredients, and substitutions.

    I am Specific!

    When following many Indian recipes, I find that too many assumptions are made, which I avoid here on MyIndianStove:

    • The volume of salt varies substantially whether you are using kosher salt versus table salt, or sea salt. I call for table salt or sea salt for all my recipes, with a few exceptions. Also, salt amounts are often expressed as “to taste, " in many Indian recipes, but I do offer a suggested beginning measurement.
    • Produce used that I don’t have access to are called for.  I offer alternatives.
    • Measurement of tamarind? What is a small ball? The size of a pencil eraser, a golf ball? I give real measurements.
    • Cooking methods requiring unusual kitchen appliances. I use commonly available equipment with few exceptions.
    • How much juice is in a lemon? Indian lemons are much smaller than the lemons typically found in the United States, and are often used interchangeably with limes—I write the amounts using measuring spoons.
    • Which variety of fresh green chili and dried chili substitutions to use? What substitutions work, given what is available to me? What volume is required, given size variability? I answer all these questions!
    • Cooking methods are assumed. Since I don’t use a pressure cooker, what do three whistles mean? How does that translate to stovetop cooking or the Instant Pot? I’ll tell you.
    • How much is one onion chopped?  Depending on the size it could be half a cup or 1.5 cups. I list measurements by volume and weight.
    • Ingredients are called for that are hard to find. I give information on where to find them and good brands to look for.

    Most recipes, particularly ones that rely heavily on cooking skills, omit a vital ingredient: practice. The last line of all recipe instructions should read, “Repeat, until you get a feel for this, the end product shows noticeable improvement, and you experience a sense of confidence and mastery. New home cooks get so discouraged when they make mistakes or a dish doesn’t meet their expectations. Not knowing what to call it because it’s so rarely described, some people label it “failure.” And they quit cooking. . . practice is the secret sauce. It isn’t failure; it’s learning.

    Joy Manning, author and host of the podcast Local Mouthful

    Happy Cooking!

    Alonna

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    Alonna Smith owner of My Indian Stove dot com
    Alonna Smith, Publisher (and chef!)

    As an adventurous and accomplished home cook, I am having the time of my life, cooking through the many regions of India, learning different cooking methods, and the many ways of using spices, pulses, and creating unforgettable food, if I may say so myself.

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