Bengali Murgir Jhol

Use the same weight and whisk smooth; same thick consistency.

Use 1.25 times the weight and strain through muslin for 30 minutes; looser if not strained.

Use the same weight; virtually identical.

Use 50% of the weight. Mimics turmeric's warm, earthy, rhizome background, but provides none of the golden-yellow colour.

Steep a tiny pinch (0.1 g per 2 g turmeric) in 2 tbsp warm water; use to match the rich golden hue. Contributes an aristocratic, honeyed floral flavour rather than earthy bitterness.

Use the same weight; this is the first half of the book's option and gives the best red colour with mild heat.

Use the same weight; add a pinch of cayenne pepper for warmth. Slightly less colour.

Use the same weight and add cayenne pepper to taste; works but is less aromatic.

Use equal weight. It handles high-heat cooking well, but lacks the signature pungent, nasal heat of mustard oil.

Use equal weight. Neutral in flavour, so your curry will lack the characteristic Bengali or North Indian pungent punch.

Use the same weight. It is the same thing; adjust pieces so they cook evenly and simmer until the meat is tender at the bone.

Use the same weight. It is leaner and less rich; brown it a little more carefully and add 5 minutes to the simmer if the pieces are large.

Use the same weight. Thigh and drumstick are juicier and cook slightly faster than breast on the bone; check after 20–25 minutes.

Use 1:1 by weight. Handles high-heat frying identically and introduces a very subtle, pleasant nuttiness.

Use 1:1 by weight. Yields a much richer, authentic aroma and a glossy, heavier mouthfeel.

Use 1:1 by weight. Heat until smoking, then cool slightly before cooking to temper its intensely pungent, sharp mustard kick.

Use a 2 cm piece (about 1 g) for every 1 to 2 bay leaves. Fry in whole-spice temperings; provides the cassia-like warmth typical of Indian tejpatta.

Use 0.5 g per leaf. Stir into the sauce during simmering; gives the same warm woodiness but darkens the colour slightly.

Use 1 g ground for 4 g whole (or 1 small pinch per 2 to 3 whole cloves). Add with spice powders; disperses intense warmth quickly, so use with restraint.

Use 100% of the weight whole in tempering. Imparts a warm, clove-like aromatic profile combined with hints of nutmeg and cinnamon.

Use 1 pod for 3 to 4 cloves in whole tempering. Shares a camphor-like warmth and medicinal depth, though it introduces a distinct smoky undertone.

True cinnamon: thinner, papery quills, milder and sweeter. Use about 1.5 times the weight, and taste.

Use about a third of the weight (0.5 g ground for a 2.5 cm piece), stirred in with the ground spices rather than fried whole, since the powder burns quickly.

Use 60-70% of the weight; stronger and more peppery, so taste before adding more.

Use the same weight; similar mild heat and good colour. Remove seeds if you want it milder.

Use half the weight of whole chilli (1 g powder for 2 g whole); add to hot oil briefly so it does not burn.

Use the same weight; sweeter and milder, good for colour. Add a pinch of cayenne pepper if you need heat.

Use equal weight, finely sliced. Shallots soften and brown faster, giving a slightly sweeter and more delicate base to curries.

Use 80% of the weight, finely shredded and browned slowly with a pinch of asafoetida. Replicates the bulk and natural sweetness in gravies without allium.

Use the same weight; the difference is only the order of the names.

Mix with an equal weight of ginger paste and use the same total weight.

For 20 g paste use about 10 g crushed garlic and 10 g grated ginger root with a splash of water. Add a little extra water if the dish looks dry.

Dry-roast lightly in a pan and grind to a fine powder; use equal weight (1:1). Offers a noticeably fresher, brighter citrus note.

Use 50% to 75% of the weight. Lacks the floral, citrusy profile of coriander and turns the gravy heavier, earthier, and darker.

Use 50% of the weight and stir in near the end of cooking. Adds warmth and depth since it contains ground coriander, but introduces stronger spices like clove and cinnamon.

Use the same weight for colour with almost no heat; add a pinch of cayenne if heat is needed.

Use the same weight; it gives a similar red colour with a little more warmth.

Use the same weight, but taste as it may be hotter; reduce by 20% if unsure.

Use 200% to 250% of the weight. Finely grate or blend fresh tomatoes, then cook them down until the moisture evaporates and the oil separates.

Use equal weight; grate or shave finely so it dissolves rapidly, giving a warm, caramel-like sweetness and slightly darker sauce.

Use equal weight. Cut into large chunks; cooks down much faster (10-12 minutes) and softens into the sauce rather than staying starchy and firm.

Use 80% of the weight. Cube and add in the last 5-10 minutes of cooking; adds rich dairy protein instead of starchy bulk.

Use 45% dry weight. Soak overnight and boil until fully soft before stirring into the sauce to simmer for 10 minutes.

Use the same weight; cut into similar florets and reduce cooking by 2–3 minutes. It adds a greener colour and stronger flavour.

Use the same weight; break the head into florets of the same size. Cooking time and texture are virtually unchanged.

Use the same weight; cut into chunks and cook 3–5 minutes less. It softens quickly and gives a sweeter, less nutty result.

Use 50% of the weight as powder, mix with an equal weight of water and stand for 10 minutes; sharper, fresher heat.

Use 50% of the weight, mix with an equal weight of water; similar heat but less rounded.

Use the same weight; milder and seedy, so reduce any added salt slightly.

Use 50% of the weight mixed with equal parts ground coriander and a pinch of ground cinnamon, ground cloves, and ground green cardamom. Sprinkle near the end for a warming finish.

Use 75% of the weight. Simmer briefly in the gravy; imparts roasted warmth and complexity, though it adds a slight tang and earthy lentil undertone.

Use equal volume or weight; delivers almost identical sharp acidity with a faintly more aromatic, bitter-edged profile.

Use 25% of the weight (about 1 g amchoor for 4 g juice); provides clean fruity tartness without thinning the sauce.

Use 75% of the volume; gives direct sourness without any citrus floral fragrance.

Use the same weight, choosing the coriander element if available. If only basil is available, expect a sweeter, more aniseed flavour.

Use the same weight. Basil is sweeter and more aromatic in a different way; add near the end so it keeps its perfume.

Use 1.5 times the weight and reduce other liquid slightly; it is less fresh and more concentrated, so taste before adding more.