Love Indian Food but Hate the Prep? Discover How to Cook Authentic Dishes in Half the Time!

 

Idiyappam - Homemade

Ever feel like preparing a full Indian meal from scratch takes hours? You’re not alone. Traditional Indian cooking often involves multiple steps — chopping, sautéing, simmering, and layering spices — which can feel overwhelming on a busy day. But the good news is that with a few smart strategies, you can simplify the process, save time, and still enjoy authentic flavours at home.

Here are some practical tips to make Indian cooking both quicker and more manageable:

1. The Pre-Prep Powerhouse

Chop onions, ginger, garlic, and even green chillies in bulk at the start of the week. Store them in airtight containers in the fridge or freezer. When it’s time to cook, you can dive straight into your recipe instead of spending 15 minutes chopping.

2. Spice Blends are Your Best Friend ( Making Own Garam Masala)

Instead of pulling out 7 or 8 spice jars every time you cook, prepare your own blends like curry powder, garam masala, or sambar powder. Keep them ready in small jars. With just one spoonful, your dish gains a complex, balanced flavour without the extra effort.

3. Embrace the Purée

Running out of tomatoes? No problem. Tomato purée mixed with a little warm water is a great substitute. You can also use onion or cashew pastes made in advance. For smooth sauces, a hand blender directly in the pan saves time and extra dishes.

4. Batch-Cook Your Masala Base

On weekends or when you have an hour to spare, cook a large batch of the foundational onion-tomato masala. Once cooled, freeze it in small portions. Later, just thaw and add vegetables, lentils, or meat — dinner is ready in half the time.

5. The One-Pan Wonder

Instead of juggling multiple pots and pans, try cooking everything in one large pan. The flavours come together beautifully, and clean-up becomes effortless. Perfect for curries, pulaos, and stir-fries.

6. Pressure Cooker & Instant Pot Magic

Invest in a good pressure cooker or Instant Pot. From dal to biryani and Kerala Sambar, these tools dramatically reduce cooking time while keeping the flavours intact. A dish that takes 45 minutes can be done in 15.

7. Frozen Veggies & Quick Staples

Don’t underestimate the convenience of frozen peas, spinach, or even chopped okra. They retain nutrition and flavour, cutting down peeling and chopping time. Pair them with pantry staples like canned chickpeas or lentils for a quick curry.

8. Plan Simple Menus

Not every Indian meal needs to be a grand thali. A fragrant dal with jeera rice and a quick cucumber raita is as satisfying as a multi-dish spread. Rotate easy staples like upma, poha, khichdi, or chapati with sabzi for stress-free meal planning.

 Bonus Tips to Simplify Indian Cooking and Make it Stress-Free

• Keep ginger-garlic paste ready in the fridge.
• Roast and store spice powders like cumin, coriander, or fennel for faster use.
• Use non-stick or heavy-bottom pans to prevent sticking and reduce oil.
• Invest in sharp knives and a good chopping board — prep time drops instantly.
• Try “half-homemade” cooking: pair fresh food with ready-made rotis, dosa batter, or store-bought chutneys.

Cooking Indian Food Can Be Quick & Joyful!

Cooking doesn’t have to feel like a chore. With smart prep and simple techniques, you can enjoy the magic of Indian food even on busy days.

 If you’re in Trivandrum and would love hands-on practice, I offer different Indian cooking lessons for beginners. You can even cherry-pick the recipes you want to learn — from everyday curries to festive favourites.