Yogurt holds a special place in our hearts here at Express Indian Delivered, and once you understand its incredible versatility in Indian cuisine, you'll see why we consider it one of the most essential ingredients in our kitchen. From tenderising tough cuts of meat to creating cooling beverages and indulgent desserts, yogurt weaves through Indian cooking like a golden thread, connecting tradition with innovation.
As a family business passionate about authentic Indian cuisine, we've spent countless hours perfecting our recipes, and yogurt appears in nearly every aspect of our cooking process. Let me share with you the fascinating journey of this humble ingredient and how it transforms ordinary dishes into extraordinary culinary experiences.
When we first started developing our recipes, we quickly learned that yogurt isn't just an ingredient – it's a culinary transformer. The natural acids in yogurt break down proteins, making tough meats incredibly tender whilst infusing them with flavour. This process, which we call the "yogurt miracle," happens because the lactic acid gently denatures proteins without the harsh effects of chemical tenderisers.
Our blast-freezing techniques preserve these beneficial properties perfectly, ensuring that when you prepare our meals at home, the yogurt maintains its full potency. We've tested this extensively to guarantee that every bite delivers the same tender texture and rich flavours you'd expect from freshly prepared dishes.
Tandoori Transformations
In our tandoori preparations, we combine thick Greek-style yogurt with aromatic spices like garam masala, turmeric, and paprika. The yogurt serves dual purposes: it carries these spices deep into the meat fibres whilst simultaneously breaking down tough proteins. We typically marinate our chicken for at least four hours, though overnight marination produces even better results.
The key lies in using full-fat yogurt rather than low-fat alternatives. The fat content helps the spices adhere to the meat and prevents the acids from working too aggressively, which could result in a mushy texture. We've learned through experience that the perfect ratio is roughly 200ml of yogurt per kilogram of meat.
Regional Variations We Cherish
Different regions of India use yogurt marinades in unique ways, and we honour these traditions in our recipes. In Bengali cuisine, we use yogurt with mustard oil and panch phoron (five-spice blend) to marinate fish. The yogurt neutralises the strong flavour of mustard oil whilst allowing the delicate spices to shine through.
For our South Indian inspired dishes, we combine yogurt with curry leaves, ginger, and green chillies. This combination creates a marinade that's both cooling and warming – a perfect balance that exemplifies the complexity of Indian flavours.
The Art of Balance
Indian cuisine is all about balance, and yogurt plays a crucial role in achieving harmony between heat and coolness. In our creamy kormas and mild curry dishes, we use yogurt to temper strong spices whilst adding richness and depth. The trick we've mastered over years of cooking is tempering the yogurt properly to prevent curdling.
We always bring yogurt to room temperature before adding it to hot dishes, and we whisk it thoroughly with a small amount of the hot cooking liquid before incorporating it fully. This technique, called "tempering," ensures silky smooth curries every time.
Raita: The Perfect Accompaniment
Our raita recipes showcase yogurt's cooling properties beautifully. We create variations using cucumber, mint, and roasted cumin that provide refreshing contrast to spicy main dishes. The key to exceptional raita lies in using thick, strained yogurt and allowing the flavours to meld for at least 30 minutes before serving.
We often add finely chopped onions, tomatoes, and fresh herbs, seasoning everything with black salt and chaat masala for an authentic street food flavour. These raitas aren't just side dishes – they're essential components that complete the Indian dining experience.
Traditional Mishti Delights
Yogurt's role in Indian desserts often surprises our customers who are new to authentic Indian cuisine. We use hung curd (strained yogurt) to create rich, creamy desserts like shrikhand, a Gujarati and Maharashtrian sweet that combines yogurt with sugar, cardamom, and saffron.
The process of making hung curd requires patience – we strain yogurt through muslin cloth for several hours until it reaches a cream cheese-like consistency. This concentrated yogurt forms the base for numerous desserts, each with regional variations that reflect local tastes and traditions.
Modern Applications with Traditional Roots
We've also incorporated yogurt into contemporary Indian fusion desserts, creating yogurt-based ice creams flavoured with kulfi spices and rose water. These desserts maintain authentic flavours whilst offering familiar textures that appeal to diverse palates.
Lassi Perfection
Our lassi recipes celebrate yogurt's versatility in beverage form. Sweet lassis made with mango, rose, or cardamom provide cooling relief from spicy meals, whilst savoury versions with mint and cumin aid digestion. The secret to perfect lassi lies in using chilled, full-fat yogurt and achieving the right consistency through proper blending.
We recommend a ratio of two parts yogurt to one part cold water or milk, adjusting sweetness and flavours according to personal preference. The key is blending until completely smooth and frothy.
Regional Beverage Traditions
Different regions have their own yogurt-based beverages. Chaas, popular in Gujarat and Rajasthan, combines yogurt with water, roasted cumin, and mint for a refreshing drink that's perfect after heavy meals. We often serve this at family gatherings, and it never fails to refresh and satisfy.
Beyond flavour, yogurt contributes significant nutritional value to Indian dishes. The probiotics support digestive health, particularly important when enjoying spicy foods. The protein content complements the complex carbohydrates found in rice and bread, creating balanced, satisfying meals.
We're particularly mindful of these health benefits when developing our frozen meal ranges, ensuring that yogurt's nutritional properties remain intact throughout our preservation process.
When preparing Indian dishes at home, choose thick, full-fat yogurt for best results. Greek yogurt works wonderfully, though traditional Indian curd offers the most authentic flavour profile. Always bring yogurt to room temperature before cooking to prevent curdling, and remember that patience during marination pays off with superior flavours.
Store yogurt properly in the refrigerator and check expiration dates carefully, as fresh yogurt performs better in cooking applications than yogurt nearing its use-by date.
Yogurt truly is the unsung hero of Indian cuisine, working behind the scenes to create the complex, satisfying flavours that make Indian food so beloved worldwide. We're proud to incorporate this wonderful ingredient throughout our range of authentic dishes, bringing these time-honoured techniques directly to your table through our carefully crafted frozen meals available at Express Indian Delivered.
Whether you're exploring Indian cooking at home or enjoying our prepared meals, understanding yogurt's role helps you appreciate the depth and complexity that makes Indian cuisine so special.
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