Raj Kachori

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.

Use the same weight. Soak 10 minutes longer and cook 2–3 minutes more; texture will be more granular.

Use the same weight. It cooks faster, so reduce cooking time by 2 minutes and stir well to avoid lumps.

Use the same weight. It behaves like fine semolina; cook 1–2 minutes less and add liquid gradually.

Use 4 times the weight (1 g soda ≈ 4 g baking powder). It already contains acid, so reduce or omit added lemon or yogurt.

For baking, swap plain flour plus soda for self-raising flour; omit the soda and adjust salt. Not suitable for recipes where soda is used for colour or texture.

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 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 100% of the weight. Provides direct, sharp heat and red colour in equal measure.

Use 150% to 200% of the weight if matching colour, but add a pinch of black pepper or hot chilli if you need equivalent fiery heat.

Use 75% to 100% of the weight. Offers a sharp, clean heat with slightly less earthy depth and less crimson colour.

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 drained weight, rinse well and add near the end so it does not break up.

Use about 40% of the cooked weight, soak overnight and boil until tender; cooking time is much longer.

Use the same weight and cook 10-15 minutes less; it is softer and sweeter.

This is the same bean under another name; use the same weight and soak as directed.

Use the same weight; no soaking is needed and it cooks 10–15 minutes faster, so add it later and expect a softer dal.

Use the same weight; it has a similar bite but an earthier flavour and needs 5–10 minutes longer.

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 80% of the weight; ground seed is stronger, so add early and taste.

Use 90% of the weight; already ground and more concentrated.

Use the same weight; less sour, more fruity.

Use the same weight and grind to a fine powder in a dry blender. Add 3% cornflour by weight if you need it to stay powdery.

Use the same weight and grind in small batches until fine. It is coarser and may feel gritty in uncooked icings.

Use the same weight and grind to a powder. It is harder to grind and gives a slightly crunchier result.

Dry-roast briefly and grind finely; use equal weight (1:1). Imparts an even punchier, nuttier, toasty aroma than pre-ground cumin.

Use equal weight (1:1). Adds mild, lemony sweetness rather than cumin's smoky, earthy bite; curries will taste lighter and less savoury.

Grind finely; use 60% to 75% of the weight. Produces a darker, more complex, smoky-herbal flavour suited to rich gravies.

Use 15 g (1 tbsp) for every 5 g of amchoor. Stir in at the very end off the heat; adds liquid and fresh citrus aroma rather than dry fruity tang.

Use 75% of the weight, dissolved in a splash of warm water. Simmer briefly; darkens the gravy and provides a deeper, caramelised sourness.

Use 1.5–2 times the weight; it has a similar warm pungency but is milder and rounder, so the dish loses clove’s sharp medicinal heat.

Use the same weight; it gives warmth but is sweeter and lacks clove’s strength, so use only if the amount is small.

Use the same weight; adjust sugar and salt. Mint version is less sour and more herbal.

Use the same weight; it is sweeter, so add lime juice or amchoor if the dish needs sharpness.

Use about 70% of the weight and loosen with water; add jaggery or sugar to taste. Stronger and more concentrated.

Use the same weight; it is the closest everyday substitute. Add a few fresh mint leaves if you have them.

Use the same weight but expect a sharper, sourer taste; reduce lemon juice in the dish.

Blend about 30 g mint leaves with 2 green chillies, a squeeze of lemon and salt to make roughly 100 g chutney; use weight for weight.

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.