Keralan Fried Chicken

Use the same weight if boneless is needed; cooks 5–10 minutes faster than bone-in. Juicy and forgiving.

Use the same weight; bone-in and larger, so add 5–10 minutes. Similar richness.

Use the same weight; much leaner and drier, so reduce cooking time by 5–10 minutes and do not overcook.

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 the same weight, add 10–15% more water and rest the dough for 20 minutes; the result is heavier and nuttier.

Use the same weight for crisp coatings; for doughs use no more than half rice flour with wheat flour, or it will be crumbly.

For thickening use half the weight, mixed with cold water; it is not suitable for bread or chapati dough.

Whisk equal weight thoroughly with cold water before stirring into hot sauce; thickens well, but imparts an earthy, nutty taste and pale golden colour.

Grind deseeded dried pods to an equal weight of powder; gives identical vivid red colour and gentle warmth.

Use 25% of the weight mixed with sweet paprika for colour; straight red chilli powder is substantially hotter and will make the dish fiery.

Use one-third of the weight; the sauce will be less intensely red and notably sharper in heat.

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; taste first as it can be smokier and saltier. Add lime or amchoor if the dish needs more tang.

Use about half the weight, mixed with black salt and a pinch of ground cumin. It gives tang and saltiness but lacks the minty, asafoetida notes.

Use about half the weight and add lime juice to taste. It gives the salty, sulphurous edge but not the full tangy blend.

Fry 1 bay leaf for every 5 curry leaves in hot oil; imparts a warm, woodsy background note, but misses the citrus-sulphury punch entirely.

Add a small squeeze (about 5 ml per sprig of curry leaves) right before serving; provides sharp citrus top notes without the toasty, herbal aroma.

Use the same weight and stir in finely chopped curry leaves or a pinch of curry leaf powder; garlic and chilli make it hotter.

Use the same weight and mix in 1 tsp curry leaf oil per 100 g; thinner and tangier, not a true mayonnaise.

Use the same weight and stir in curry leaf oil; richer and tangier, with less stability.

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.

Whisk 1 part yogurt with 2 parts water (40 g yogurt plus 80 g water for 120 g buttermilk); a little thicker and more sour than true buttermilk, so loosen with extra water.

Same as yogurt: thin 1:2 with cold water and whisk until smooth; strain first if the dish needs a runny consistency.

Stir 15 g lemon juice into 250 g milk, leave 10 minutes, then stir; thinner and only lightly sour, so add a squeeze more lemon.

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 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.

Same vegetable under another name; use the same weight, peel and grate or slice. Salt a little less if very pungent.

Use the same weight; red radishes are smaller and sharper, so grate and squeeze out excess water.

Use the same weight; milder and less peppery, so cook 3-5 minutes longer until tender.

Use 70% of the weight, make up the rest with water, and add a little granulated sugar if the liquor was sweet. Sharper and thinner.

Use at 70% of the weight with water. Milder and fruitier than pickling liquor.

Use at 60% of the weight with water; stronger and maltier, so reduce any other vinegar in the dish.