No Worries Curries Blog: Spices

Warming Spices for Winter

By Conchita de Souza

Warming Spices for Winter

From an evolutionary perspective and in the natural world, winter is a time of dormancy or hibernation; storing whatever energy we can from the reduced hours of daylight, trying to keep ourselves warm against the harsh cold and staying put. From a culinary perspective, the cold season is a great time for hearty stews, steaming soups, slow-cooked curries, anything-with-a-side-of-potatoes and mulled wines. You will notice that your body craves different foods during the colder months and for many, carbohydrates can be the ultimate comfort but you can rely on other sources as well.  

Read more


Fresh Herbs and Spices Used in Indian Cuisines

By Conchita de Souza

Fresh Herbs and Spices Used in Indian Cuisines

We know that the cuisines of India are defined by the different combinations of spices, some of which are unique to different regions of India, such as panch phoron which is found in eastern parts of India as well as in Nepal and Bangladesh and contains the seed forms of the following spices: cumin, nigella, fennel, black mustard and fenugreek. The realm of spices used extend beyond dried, powdered and whole spices to fresh spices as well, or what we would term as ‘herbs’ in western cuisines. 


Today’s post explores the common ‘herbs’ used in Indian cuisines. Whilst herbs are often used as garnishes or in marinades, some of the herbs listed below are used during the tadka or tempering stage of cooking. Fenugreek leaves can be used as the star of the show.  Not surprisingly, most, if not all of these herbs possess medicinal qualities, which has not been discussed in depth. 


  1. Green chillies - Depending on whom you are asking, green chillies pack a lighter punch and can be used as a decorative garnish on dishes that are milder. Green chillies are often eaten as an accompaniment to meals and often you will see it served with cucumbers and onion slices alongside any street food dish as the heat from it intensifies the flavours of the dish.  
    A garnishing of green chillies

  2. Red chillies - Usually more pungent in flavour and used at the beginning stages of cooking. Remove the seeds for less potency. Add as a garnish as you would with green chillies if you like a bit of zing.

  3. Curry Leaves - Heavily used in south Indian cuisines, these little leaves are bitter-tasting but once tempered, are easier to digest and actually have numerous health benefits such as enhancing digestion. Curry leaves have antibacterial and antifungal properties. As an illustration of such properties, I have friends who insert a small part of the stalk (washed beforehand I assume) into their piercing holes to prevent the holes from becoming infected when they remove their piercings. The twigs from the tree were used as toothbrushes back in the day to promote oral hygiene because they would protect the mouth from harmful bacteria. 
    A handful of curry leaves
  4. Fenugreek leaves - These bitter-tasting leaves are prepared as a vegetable or added to breads like parathas and thepla. When the leaves are dried (known as kasuri methi in Hindi), they can be crushed into a dish as it is completed adding a flavour and aroma that permeates the dish but doesn’t take away from its original flavours. We have dedicated an entire post to the awesomeness of this plant which you can read here.

  5. Coriander - Whilst it may seem that the world is divided between those who like coriander and those who do not, it goes without saying that it is used heavily in Indian cuisine, especially as a garnish. It tastes wonderful on top of egg-based dishes such as the Parsi version of shakshuka or the classic masala scrambled eggs and adds a pop of freshness to the dish. 

  6. Bay Leaves - A subtlely fragrant and pleasant-smelling leaf that is used by other cultures in their cuisines as well. It is usually added during the time of tempering which releases its oils and goes well with red meat dishes and rice dishes as well. 

  7. Mint - A cooling and soothing herb that goes well in drinks but also on top of raita. It can be made into a standalone chutney or blended with coriander. 

    Mint as a garnish

  8. Dill - One of my all-time favourite herbs thanks to the beautiful fragrance and taste it produces. Like fenugreek leaves, it can be used to make a vegetable, mixed in with dough to make flatbreads and added to lentil-based curries like dal.

    Dal and Dill

Read more


The Beloved Dhaba - Highway Eateries in India

By Conchita de Souza

The Beloved Dhaba - Highway Eateries in India
The origins of dhabas are synonymous with Punjabi cuisine because they are said to have sprouted in the northern region of India, specifically on the stretch of highway that connects Kabul in Afghanistan through to the major Indian cities of Amritsar, Delhi and Kolkata before coming to an end at Chittagong in Bangladesh. The British renamed this pass as Grand Trunk Road but it had existed as far back as the fourth century BC and remains the oldest and longest highway in southern Asia when it was used primarily for trade (and invasion as well). 

Read more


Chilli - The King of Spices & How it is used in Indian Cuisine

By Conchita de Souza

Chilli - The King of Spices & How it is used in Indian Cuisine

Chillies are said to be native to Mesoamerica (the central regions of the Americas) where they have been cultivated and used for over 7,500 years. In addition to flavouring food, chillies were also used as a means of preserving food as it would keep it from spoiling.*

As deceptive as it may seem, chillies are botanically classified as a fruit because they bear seeds. Specifically, they are classified as a berry! 

Read more


The Tadka (Tempering) Element in Indian Cuisine

By Conchita de Souza

The Tadka (Tempering) Element in Indian Cuisine
This post examines another key component of Indian Cuisine - the tadka or tarka (also goes by the names chhonk, baghaar, phoron). The word tadka might sound familiar to you as many Indian restaurants have adopted it in their menu listings but also as their restaurant name. The method is seen all across India but varies according to the regions, thereby making it a unifying element in Indian cooking. 

Read more


Quick & Simple Recipes for Weeknight Dinners

By Conchita de Souza

Quick & Simple Recipes for Weeknight Dinners
Adding our spice blends will not only help you to maximise time on a weeknight (and space in your pantry) but will also diversify the flavours in your cooking.

Read more


A Background to Chillies

By Claudette D'Cruz

A Background to Chillies

This humble plant from South America has been hybridised to suit many continents. Chillies are the second most significant spice traded in the world (after pepper). Turkey and China are believed to be the world’s largest commercial producers of chilli.

Most Indian curry mixes contain Chillies. 

Read more


A Beginner's Guide to Using Spices in Indian Cooking

By Conchita de Souza

A Beginner's Guide to Using Spices in Indian Cooking
To help you get started, we have put together a brief guide to using spices in Indian cuisine.

Read more

Recent Articles

Categories