Indian Food Explained by Cook Like An Aunty

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You don't have to be an aunty to make delicious Indian food.Indian Food Explained shares the history, cultural significance, and recipes of your favorite Indian dishes.Whether you are cooking to impress your in-laws, connect your children with your Indian heritage, or cure homesickness, you will learn to cook like an aunty.

Cook Like An Aunty


    • May 8, 2025 LATEST EPISODE
    • monthly NEW EPISODES
    • 15m AVG DURATION
    • 15 EPISODES


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    Latest episodes from Indian Food Explained by Cook Like An Aunty

    Tarka: the most important technique in Indian cuisine

    Play Episode Listen Later May 8, 2025 10:42


    Today we talk about the one universal cooking technique in South Asia: tarka! It is also known as chhaunk and many other names in India. You will recognize it instantly as the popping of mustard seeds and the crackle of curry leaves in hot oil. Let's talk about how this technique can take your Indian food to the next level and why it is so important for Indian food.Examples of tarka:Tarka for Lemon Rice: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EsrWVuZTMCYTarka for Khichdi: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MAqAelyOb1cTarka for Sambar: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T7xkIjRQuf4Tarka for Rasam: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ORd-Gy-8fPQCredits:Sources used to make this episode: https://cooklikeanaunty.com/tarkaBackground music by Shobana Music: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=orlHlf-t6jsTitle music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!): https://uppbeat.io/t/simon-folwar/flo... License code: M1ADLQ9V0KCQ3ECP

    Why does Indian cuisine only use one type of cheese, paneer?

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 13, 2025 13:44


    Is paneer the only cheese used in Indian cuisine? Listen to this episode to discover why many people don't know about the other types of cheeses in India! Also, we'll talk about a brief history of cheese and paneer.Join the Cook Like An Aunty community: Cook Like An AuntySources and References: Cook Like An Aunty - CheeseBackground music from Shobana Music: Shobana Music YouTubeIntro music:Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!):https://uppbeat.io/t/simon-folwar/flow-of-the-gangesLicense code: M1ADLQ9V0KCQ3ECP

    What is hing and why is it so popular in Indian cuisine?

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 14, 2025 8:34


    What is hing (asafoetida/asafetida)? Why is hing so popular in Indian cuisine but not others?We explore the answers to all of these questions in this episode and talk about how to include hing in your Indian recipes. Listen to the episode to hear all about it!Sources and References: Cook Like An AuntyBackground music from Shobana Music: Shobana Music YouTubeIntro music:Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!):https://uppbeat.io/t/simon-folwar/flow-of-the-gangesLicense code: M1ADLQ9V0KCQ3ECP

    Atta and Maida: All about Indian Breads

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 27, 2024 15:54


    What is the difference between roti and chapati? What about naan and kulcha? How are paratha and parotta different?We explore the answers to all of these questions in this episode and talk about other breads from the Indian subcontinent. Listen to the episode to hear all about Indian breads!Table of bread comparisons: Cook Like An Aunty Atta and MaidaSources and References: Cook Like An AuntyBackground music from Shobana Music: Shobana Music YouTubeIntro music:Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!):https://uppbeat.io/t/simon-folwar/flow-of-the-gangesLicense code: M1ADLQ9V0KCQ3ECP

    What is Indian fine dining and a brief history of Indian restaurants in North America

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 4, 2024 15:13


    After a recent visit to the fine dining restaurant Indienne Chicago, I looked into the history of Indian restaurants in North America. Also, I give a review of my experience eating at Indienne Chicago.See photos of the dishes: https://cooklikeanaunty.com/indienne-chicago-restaurant/See the sources used to make this episode: https://cooklikeanaunty.com/indienne-chicago-restaurant/Background music from Shobana Music: https://youtu.be/AywZjko24Yc?si=zRRG_UuVaEg8oSa1Intro music:Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!):https://uppbeat.io/t/simon-folwar/flow-of-the-gangesLicense code: M1ADLQ9V0KCQ3ECP

    Lemon Rice: A 900 Year Old Classic

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 7, 2024 11:37


    Today we discuss the very popular, and very old Indian favorite, lemon rice.Help improve Cook Like An Aunty. I want your feedback. Fill out a short two minute survey through this Google Forms link.Get the recipe: https://cooklikeanaunty.com/lemon-rice/See the sources used to make this episode: https://cooklikeanaunty.com/lemon-rice/Video of Chitranna Center food cart: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PQz2fmHy1kABackground music from Shobana Music: https://youtu.be/Cwd6yDksuBI?si=LniQ1X4_UZIY6IIGIntro music:Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!):https://uppbeat.io/t/simon-folwar/flow-of-the-gangesLicense code: M1ADLQ9V0KCQ3ECP

    Learn to cook Indian food from your parents: Interview with Neelima Prabhala

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 23, 2024 14:10


    Join the Cook Like An Aunty community: https://cooklikeanaunty.com/In this episode, Licensed Social Worker and Therapist Neelima Prabhala (they/them) shares their experience growing up as an American born desi and their relationship with Indian food. They also gives great advice about learning to cook Indian food from their dad. Listen to this episode with many relatable topics for American born desis.Show notes:Neelima Prabhala (Psychology Today)Theme musicMusic from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!):https://uppbeat.io/t/simon-folwar/flow-of-the-gangesLicense code: M1ADLQ9V0KCQ3ECP

    The American Chef learning traditional Indian food from Aunties and Indian Chefs: Keith Sarasin Interview

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 7, 2024 14:52


    Listen to this interview with Keith Sarasin, the American Chef learning Indian food from aunties and Indian Chefs. We discuss:How he got interested in Indian foodHis travels around IndiaThe differences between Indian food in North America and IndiaIndian food's role in his careerHis suggestions for people who want to start cooking Indian food at homeMore about Chef Keith Sarasin:Keith Sarasin (website)InstagramYouTubeMore about Cook Like An Aunty:Cook Like An Aunty (website)YouTubeBackground music credit:Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!):https://uppbeat.io/t/simon-folwar/flow-of-the-gangesLicense code: M1ADLQ9V0KCQ3ECP

    Popularizing Indian Coffee in North America: Interview with Danée Shows of Ministry of Kaapi

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 13, 2023 35:12


    Today we talk with Danée Shows, Founder of Ministry of Kaapi. She explains how she sources her Indian grown coffee, how Indian filter coffee differs from other coffees, and what it would take to popularize it in North America. Find Danée and Indian coffee at the links below: https://www.ministryofkaapi.com/https://www.instagram.com/ministryofkaapi/Title music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!): https://uppbeat.io/t/simon-folwar/flow-of-the-ganges License code: M1ADLQ9V0KCQ3ECP

    South Indian Filter Coffee: The next North American coffee trend?

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 16, 2023 14:24


    Will South Indian Filter Coffee become the next coffee trend in North America? India is certainly trying to make it that way!Join us as we discuss South Indian Filter Coffee: What it is, how to make it, and how India's coffee industry is trying to get on the global stage.Get the recipe: https://cooklikeanaunty.com/south-indian-filter-coffee/Madras style coffee: https://youtube.com/shorts/lFBhW1HvRoI?si=MTMZfjB3T4E0e3oyAnnapoorna - The Pride of Coimbatore: https://youtu.be/utqjhnrilog?si=Op_WxFA6YGKOvv2tAnnapoorna - The world's best filter coffee: https://youtu.be/2SJ9FxbJdhM?si=8ah9yoOd8gQFToq92023 World Coffee Conference vlog by Kripal Amanna: https://youtu.be/c_Qghulw30Q?si=pFqm6pGqmuxelNI3Sources used to make this episode: https://cooklikeanaunty.com/south-indian-filter-coffee/Background music by Shobana Music: https://youtu.be/orlHlf-t6js?si=iAGtErkL0wImH_0iTitle music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!): https://uppbeat.io/t/simon-folwar/flow-of-the-ganges License code: M1ADLQ9V0KCQ3ECP

    Building a South Asian popup restaurant in 2 weeks: Interview with Taimoor Shahid of The Dal House

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 27, 2023 42:13


     Listen to this interview with Taimoor Shahid, a full-time scholar who built a South Asian popup restaurant in only 2 weeks with his friends. The Dal House opened in Columbia, South Carolina for a weekend in December 2022 with positive reviews. Hear the story of his transformation from aunty-level home cook to professional chef in this interview, along with a few tips to make delicious South Asian food at home.Links to press and photos of The Dal House: https://cooklikeanaunty.com/taimoor-shahid-the-dal-house

    Khichdi: India's Ultimate Comfort Food

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 14, 2023 11:06


    Join me for this episode about comforting and nostalgic Khichdi, a dish made from rice and lentils. We'll talk about khichdi's very old history, variations from across the Indian subcontinent, and a quick recipe to make this easy but delicious dish.Show notes, references, credits, and links: https://cooklikeanaunty.com/khichdi/

    Chai culture in India and the complicated history of Masala Chai

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 26, 2023 12:28


    Learn how to make a shaadi quality cup of chai, Indian chai culture, and how masala chai came to be a staple drink in India.Get the recipe and see the YouTube video at: https://cooklikeanaunty.com/masala-chaiDolly Ki Tapir chaiwalla: https://youtu.be/7Y8j1QK3ktYBackground music by Shobana Music: https://youtu.be/gHRmeQXXL3oTitle music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!): https://uppbeat.io/t/simon-folwar/flow-of-the-ganges License code: M1ADLQ9V0KCQ3ECP

    Sambar

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 26, 2023 11:07


    Let's talk about sambar. It's a piping hot dish from South Indian. We'll talk about its history and how it changes depending on when and where it is made. I'll also give you an aunty-approved sambar recipe using ingredients you can easily find in North America.For a full recipe see the show notes at this link: https://cooklikeanaunty.com/sambar/Background Music: Vathapi Ganapathim by Shobana MusicTitle Music: Flow of The Ganges by Simon Folwar From #Uppbeat (free for Creators!) with License code M1ADLQ9V0KCQ3ECP

    Rasam (Saru/Charu/Saar)

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 9, 2023 7:32


    Travel to South India and taste piping hot rasam. Hear about it's origins, health benefits, and use in an Indian diet. Finally, I share a recipe for a classic tomato rasam.For a full recipe see the show notes at this link: https://cooklikeanaunty.com/rasam/Background Music: Raghu Vamsa by Shobana MusicTitle Music: Flow of The Ganges by Simon Folwar From #Uppbeat (free for Creators!) with License code M1ADLQ9V0KCQ3ECP

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