Dum ke Kebab

Use the same weight; peel, deseed and cube. Very close and cooks at a similar rate.

Use the same weight; peel and deseed. Slightly softer, so check doneness early.

Use the same weight; peel and cube. Neutral and tender, but less absorbent of masala.

Use same weight; shoulder is well marbled and best for slow curry, with similar cooking time.

Use same weight; leg is leaner, so simmer 10 minutes less to avoid dryness.

Use same weight but simmer 15–20 minutes less; fillet is tender and cooks quickly.

Use equal weight; handles high tempering heat well and keeps flavours neutral.

Use equal weight; cook over gentle heat to prevent browning the milk solids too quickly.

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 equal weight, whisked thoroughly until smooth before adding to hot dishes to prevent curdling.

Use equal weight with 1 teaspoon lemon juice mixed in. Provides rich creaminess in curries, but adds a noticeable coconut flavour.

Use 80% of the weight plus a squeeze of lemon juice for acidity. Enriches sauces nicely, though it is richer and less tangy.

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 35 to 40% of the total pod weight; lightly bruise the seeds before frying in oil to release their essential oils.

Use 20 to 25% of the pod weight (about 1 generous pinch per pod); stir in toward the end of cooking so the delicate floral notes do not dissipate.

Use 1:1 by pod count or weight; crack gently before using, though it is slightly less intensely floral.

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.

Use 10 to 15% of the weight (about 1/4 teaspoon per chilli); imparts dry pungent heat and reddens the dish without the grassy crunch.

Use 1 dried pod per fresh green chilli; snap in half and temper in hot oil for a deeper, toastier heat.

Use equal weight, chopped fresh and stirred in off the heat or used as garnish. Matches the citrus-herbal profile identically.

Use 40% to 50% of the weight; chop finely and add at the very end. Adds fresh herbal brightness, but shifts the aroma toward cool menthol.

Use the same weight; in Indian cooking this is usually the same seed. Toast lightly if the recipe asks for toasted.

Use the same weight; it is another name for nigella. Add whole or crush lightly.

Use about 75% of the weight and toast before use; the flavour is different, more warm and less onion-like.

Use the same weight, soak and peel for a closer texture; slightly sweeter.

Use the same weight, soak 20 minutes; softer and creamier when ground.

Use the same weight, blanch and peel; stronger and greener in flavour.

Use equal weight. Soak in warm water for 20 minutes and grind to a smooth paste; produces an even creamier, slightly richer gravy than poppy seeds.

Use equal weight. Soak and grind finely; provides similar thickening and body with a slightly nuttier, faintly bitter edge.

Use equal weight. Blanch, peel, and grind finely with a splash of water; lends a velvety body and gentle sweetness to gravies.

Use the same weight. It is drier and finer, so soak in a little warm water for 10 minutes if the recipe wants a fresh coconut texture. Slightly less creamy.

Use about 1.3 times the weight, grated. Reduce other liquid slightly. Fresher and sweeter, but more moisture.

Use the same weight. If it is fresh, reduce liquid a little; if dry, soak briefly. Texture is coarser than dry coconut.

Use equal weight; crush or finely grate to a smooth pulp to replicate the same fresh, pungent moisture in your base gravy.

Use 20 to 25% of the weight; mix with a teaspoon of water before adding to oil so it does not burn, noting it lacks the fresh bite.

Use equal weight; peel and grate very finely on a microplane or pound to a fine paste in a mortar.

Use equal weight; mince finely and crush with the flat of a knife before frying.

Use 20% of the weight; add directly with the dry spice powders, though it yields an earthier, less pungent profile.

Use equal weight whole. Fry in hot oil or ghee as tempered spice; gives a richer red colour with slightly milder heat.

Use 50% to 70% of the weight. Stir into the oil with ground spices; distributes heat evenly throughout the dish without whole chilli skins.

Use 120% of the weight; melt gently over low heat to avoid burning the milk solids, which will yield a softer, creamier richness rather than a nutty aroma.

Use 85% of the weight; holds high cooking temperatures without smoking, but the final dish will lack traditional dairy depth.

Use equal weight; heat to smoking point and cool slightly before cooking, bearing in mind it introduces an assertive, pungent edge.

Use about 70% of the weight and add a pinch of ground clove (about 20% of the allspice weight); the result is more cinnamon-forward.

Use only about 20% of the weight; it is much stronger and can dominate the dish.

Use about 50% of the weight; it gives warmth but lacks allspice's peppery edge.

Use equal weight, whisked with a small knob of unsalted butter. Simmer gently over low heat to reduce curdling; sauce will be slightly lighter.

Use 50% weight combined with 50% whole milk, whisked until smooth. Adds intense richness, so stir in at the very end off the heat.

Use 60% cashew paste mixed with 40% warm water. Creates a silky, luxurious thickening that won't split even under high heat.

Use 100% of the weight. Many commercial gram flours are milled from split peas; performs identically in pakora batters and kadhi.

For crisping batters or binding cutlets: use 50% to 60% of the weight. Produces a very crisp shell but lacks the earthy, roasted nutty flavour of besan.

Use the same weight; sharper and less floral, so reduce any extra souring slightly.

Use about 30 g juice per lime (2 tbsp), strain pips; add at the end for fresh sourness.

Use 1 g amchoor for about 15 g lime juice; add early with spices; gives dry mango sourness, not citrus aroma.

Use about 30% of the weight of fresh mint. Rub between your palms to crush before stirring in; the flavour will be more intensely herbal and less bright.

Use equal weight, finely chopped. Adds fresh citrusy green notes, but lacks the cooling menthol lift.