India produces some of the world’s most delicious cuisine. There are many people all over the world who are not even Indians yet like Indian food.
The spiciness of Indian cuisine is well-known and adored. Do you want to make Indian food but aren’t sure how to make it spicy?
Let’s get this party started.
How to Make Indian Food Spicier
Here are some easy ways to spice up Indian dishes.
1. Add Freshly Ground black Pepper
Black pepper is one of the most extensively used spices in the world. The chemical component piperine provides black pepper its distinctively spicy flavour, which is very different from the chemical found in capsaicin in chilli peppers.
If you like things spicy in your Indian food, black pepper is the best pepper to use. In addition to its culinary uses, black pepper is an anti-inflammatory and antioxidant powerhouse. When used, it also imparts a lovely aroma to whatever you’re cooking.
Adding freshly ground black pepper will give whatever you’re creating a more fiery flavour.
2. Add Fresh Chili
Chili, one of the spiciest ingredients available, can be used to increase the heat of your favourite Indian dishes.
Commonly used to add flavour and spiciness to food, chilli peppers have gained widespread popularity and recognition. You may be interested to learn that chile may also be used to sweeten and enhance the flavour of any dish it is incorporated into.
No matter what colour you get, whether it’s yellow, green, or red, adding a few balls of fresh chile to your Indian cuisine will up the spice and enhance the flavour.
3. Utilize Chili Powder
Chili powder is an acceptable replacement for fresh chilli peppers in all types of Indian cooking. The only distinction is that this is a dried and ground form of chilli pepper.
Chili powder is an excellent substitute for whole chillies if you don’t want to deal with cutting them.
Chili powder gives your food the same flavour and heat. Caution is needed, as one chilli ball is roughly equivalent to half a scoop of chilli powder.
4. Add Chili Paste
You may get the same spicy kick from chilli paste as you would with chilli balls. If you don’t want to deal with the hassle of storing the chilli balls for an extended period of time, the chilli paste is a suitable option for you.
To make chilli paste, just place chilli balls in a blender, add 2–3 tablespoons of oil and a bit of salt, and process until a smooth paste develops. Then, just utilise what you need and put the remainder away for later.
Like the chilli balls, the chilli paste is a fiery and flavorful treat.
5. Cayenne Pepper
Adding cayenne pepper, another member of the chilli family, is a great way to give food more of a kick.
Capsaicin, the key chemical responsible for the chilli pepper’s spiciness, is also present in the cayenne. You don’t keep any hot peppers in your kitchen, do you? Cayenne pepper can be used to increase the heat in Indian dishes.
6. Spice It Up With Kashmiri Pepper
Often called the Kashmiri chilli pepper, this is a terrific way to add some heat to your Indian dishes. The Kashmir region of India is the source of this particular pepper type.
Although this pepper is native to this region, it has become widely grown and used all over the world. Kashmiri pepper, which is dried and then sliced very thinly. Although it lacks the heat of a standard chilli pepper, the Kashmir pepper is nonetheless used to add flavour and fire to food.
They are also useful in the medical field.
7. Chili Sauce
Add some chilli sauce if you like your Indian food spicy. You might not have to add extra heat if you keep a bottle of chilli sauce on hand.
If you want to spice up your food but still have some left over, chilli sauce is your best bet.
You may season your cuisine with the right amount of heat by remembering that one tablespoon of chilli sauce is equal to one ball of chilli.
8. Try Sambal Oelek
Add sambal oelek if you like things on the spicy side. Famous for its use in east Asian cooking, this chilli paste is a staple in the region.
Chili, vinegar, salt, garlic, ginger, scallions, and more are all components of sambal oelek. If you’re making something like curry, this is the perfect tool for the job. You could find that the sharpness of your curry meal is enhanced by the acidity of the mixture.
You can either make your own sambal oelek or purchase it ready-made.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Spice Makes Indian Food Hot?
Spices like chilli pepper, ginger, garlic, hot pepper, and many others contribute to Indian food’s signature spiciness. A variety of peppers are used in Indian cooking, but powdered chilli pepper is by far the most accessible and widespread.
What Can I Add To Curry To Make It Spicy?
Any of the aforementioned peppers would work well to increase the heat in your curry. Mustard seeds that have been heated until fragrant and curry leaves are also good additions.
How Do You Reduce Spice In Chicken Curry?
To lessen the heat of chicken curry, you can do a few different things. Alternatively, you can use vegetable broth, sugar, and coconut milk. Yogurt, cream, and other dairy products can also be added. Chicken curry can be served with any cooking condiment to tone down the heat.
Final Thoughts
If you like your Indian soup on the mild side, adding some heat is easier than you think.
Any of the aforementioned can be used to increase the heat in a meal. However, any dairy product, such as yoghurt or cream, can be used to cool down your food and reduce the intensity of any spicy flavours.