A kadhai, also called a wok, is a versatile cookware that comes in handy to make various traditional Indian recipes. In an Indian household, a kadhai is the king of the kitchen, without which home chefs and professionals feel handicapped. It has a round bottom and a thick, flat base, which helps with even heat distribution. It comes in many sizes, making it ideal for cooking various meals. Kadhai comes in many materials, each with its own merits. Depending on your cooking needs and abilities, you can buy one or more of these. For those who are new to cooking, here are some dishes that you can prepare using this cookware.
Upma
It is a popular traditional South Indian breakfast or evening snack. It is made with semolina (coarsely milled durum wheat) and is a satiating and healthy dish. It can be customized by adding various seasonings and spices, along with vegetables, to make a flavorful and versatile dish. Use a kadhai to roast the semolina for a few minutes until it turns aromatic. Stir-fry vegetables of your choice, and add spices, semolina, and hot water to it. Season it, allow it to boil, and your tasty Upma is ready to be served.
Appam
A kadhai is the best cookware to make tasty appams. South Indian cuisine boasts food that is a great balance of taste, health, and nutrition. Appam is one such dish that is made with rice. Soak rice for a few hours till it ferments and grind to make a batter. Add water to the paste to adjust the consistency, and pour it into a non-stick or properly seasoned Kadhai to make spongy appams. There is no better way to start your day than with tasty appams made using the perfect kadhai.
Fritters
Also called pakodas in Hindi, this is one of the most popular snack recipes in India. It is made with a gram flour batter that either has onions, which is a traditional way of making pakodas, or a combination of vegetables. Add spices and seasonings to flavor the batter and mix the onions into it before frying them till they are golden brown in a kadhai. A good kadhai is essential for making fritters, as the oil must be at the right temperature to get the crispiness. Another way of making pakodas is by dipping the vegetables of your choice into the batter and deep frying them in hot oil in the kadhai. No matter which pakoda recipe you make, enjoy them with a hot cup of coffee or tea.
Kadhai Paneer/ Vegetables
This is one of the most popular North Indian dishes that is loved across the country. There are so many variations of this dish that can be made in the same old kadhai. The cookware is ideal for stir-frying vegetables with spices and making the gravy. It is a hearty curry that can be had with rice, chapati, or even dosa and is an ideal choice for lunch and dinner.
So, the above are some of the dishes that you can make using a kadhai. But it is not limited to just these; you can use the kadhai to make many other dishes and cuisines. No wonder it is the king in the kitchen! If you are buying one, opt for a good quality kadhai that is sturdy and durable, so that you can make the best use of it for a long time.
