The Coronavirus Pandemic

In our wildest dreams, I do not think that many of us fathomed a pandemic of this magnitude impacting the world in which we live. There are those of us that are in coronavirus quarantine, medical professionals fighting on the front line to save lives, and those that are daily risking their lives by going to work to keep social unrest from occurring. What a time to be alive and more importantly to come together as a human family to fight this disease.  

Using Pantry Staples During The Coronavirus

As many of you know, making Indian food can be time-consuming and ingredient rich. The end result is traditionally worth the effort. It brings great joy, comfort, and can even be spiritually satisfying to the cook and the diner. Still, given that many of us are in a pinch, I asked our readership and extraordinary food bloggers to share some quick, low ingredient Indian food recipes that can be made with what you have in your pantry. These items are what most of us have in our Indian food reservoir since Indian food is spice extensive.  

Basic Indian Pantry Staples

These are basic Indian Pantry staples that you may have on hand if you cook Indian food occasionally.

1. Curry powder

2. Garam masala

3. Turmeric

4. Cumin/cumin seeds

5. Cardamom ground/seed pods (green and black)

6. Ginger

7. Yogurt

8. Lentils

9. Chickpeas

10. Basmati rice

Comprehensive List Of Indian Spices, Dry Goods, Dairy Products And More

This is a comprehensive list of ingredients for making Indian recipes from Food and Wine. If you cook Indian food regularly, you more than likely have these spices on hand right now.

Pantry Items To Have While In Coronavirus Quarantine From Padma Lakshmi

A lot of you have asked what type of pantry items to get while you’re in self-quarantine. Here are some things you can buy instead of hoarding toilet paper. Remember we’re all in this together ?: pic.twitter.com/SstLroAZVI

— Padma Lakshmi (@PadmaLakshmi) March 14, 2020

Where To Find & Buy Food

Independent of your local grocery stores here are ten other places to get food during the coronavirus pandemic.

• Local farmers market. Many farmers markets across the U.S. are still offering pre-order and delivery.
• Imperfect Foods
• Local food banks and pantries
• Churches and religious centers
• On-line via Shipt, Amazon, and Instacart
• Dollar stores
• Ethnic grocery stores
• Meals On Wheels America
• Local schools
• Local recreation centers

Quick And Easy Indian Food Recipes To Make During Coronavirus Quarantine

Curry Leaf And Black Pepper Curry Chicken

Get the recipe here!

Thanks to MasterChef season 10, Shari Mukherjee, @instagram.com/spicedupmom!

Vegan Butter Chicken (Tofu) Recipe

Get the recipe here!

Thanks to food blogger, Aly @instagram.com/plantbasedandbroke!

Sev Usal

Get the recipe here!

Thanks to food blogger, Pankti @instagram.com/laviextraordinaire!

Paan Falooda

Get the recipe here!

Thanks to food blogger, Pankti @instagram.com/laviextraordinaire!

Six Ingredient Mashed Eggplant/Aubergine Indian Style / Baigan Bharata

 Ingredients:

•  1 Eggplant/Aubergine
•  2 Medium onions finely chopped 
•  3 Medium tomatoes puréed 
•  1 Teaspoon red chilly powder
•  Salt to taste 
•  1 Tablespoon vegetable oil 

 Instructions:

1. Roast the aubergine on the flame from all the side.
2. Remove its charred skin and  mashed it. Keep it aside.
3. Heat the oil in a pan and add the onions to it sauté till the onions become translucent and then add the puréed tomatoes and chilly powder to it. 
4. Once the tomatoes are cooked add the mashed aubergine and add salt. Sauté for another 2 mins and it’s done.

This can be served with rotis/Naan/bread.

Thanks to food blogger, Snigdha Chandra @instagram.com/cooking_cronicals!

Vegetarian Tikka Masala Naan Pizzas 

Ingredients:

• 6 Small naans 
• 2 Cups baby spinach (washed, patted dry)
• 1-2 Bell peppers (de-seeded, sliced) 
• 1 Cup sliced white or brown Mushrooms 
• 1/2  Small sweet onion sliced
• 1/2  Cup tikka masala simmer sauce (I used store bought but if you have the will, a tikka masala sauce recipe:
• https://www.chefdehome.com/recipes/623/easy-indian-tikka-masala-sauce)
• 1 and 1/4 Cups of shredded cheese blend (less or more as desired) 
• 1/2 Tsp MDH chunky chaat masala (optional)
• Red pepper flakes (optional) 

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 400F (oven temperatures vary). 
2. Pre-bake naans in oven for about 3-4 minutes for extra crunchiness. 
3. Spread tikka masala sauce evenly on each naan, sprinkle a little shredded cheese, then top with prepped vegetables, cover with a little more of the shredded cheese. 
4. Place on lined baking sheet and bake for 8-10 minutes (or until cheese is melted).
5.   Sprinkle with chaat masala and/or red pepper flakes for extra tanginess and spiciness if desired. 

Serve and enjoy! 

 Thanks to @instagram.com/nurpuri!

Pizza Dough

Ingredients:

For activating yeast:

• 1/2 Cup warm water
• 1 Tsp sugar
• 2 Tsp instant yeast

For Dough:

• 4 Cups flour (any flour works)
• 2 Tbsp olive oil + 2 tbsp for coating dough and bowl
• 1 Tsp salt
• 3/4 Cup warm water
• Stand mixer preferred, mixing by hand can work if needed.

Instructions:

Immune Boosting Drink Recipe

Ingredients:

• 2 Cup of water
• 1 Tbsp mint leaves
• 1 Tbsp shredded ginger
• 1 Tbsp carom seeds
• 1 Tbsp organic jaggery (or local honey)
• 1 Tbsp crushed black pepper
• 1/4 Tsp clove powder
• Honey for sweetness (optional)

Method:

1. Bring water to boil on high with mint leaves and ginger.

2. Once boiling, add carom seeds, jaggery, black pepper, and clove powder.

3. Bring to a boil for 4-5 minutes.

4. Let mixture cool slightly before straining into a cup.

5. Add 1 tsp honey for sweet flavor into cup before drinking. Honey helps if you have a cough.

6. Consume immediately while drink is warm.

Watch the video for this recipe here: https://youtu.be/_t_MDfQ59jk

Thanks to food blogger, Taylor @_currymama!

Curry Fried Chicken

Ingredients:

• 2lbs Chicken cut into strips
• 1 Cup of milk (buttermilk if you have it)
• 1 Cup of oil
• 1 Tablespoon of garlic powder
• 1 Tablespoon of onion powder
• 2 Tablespoons of curry powder
• 1 Tablespoon of salt
• 1 Large egg
• 1 Cup of all purpose flour
• Optional-1 Teaspoon of red pepper flakes

Instructions:

1. Place the chicken strips in a zip lock bag and add the milk to it. Make sure the chicken is coated with the milk and place it in the refrigerator for 4-6 hours.
2. In a large bowl, whisk together the flour and spices listed. Set aside.
3. In another bowl, whisk an egg.
4. Drain milk from chicken and pat chicken dry. Dip chicken in the egg mixture followed by the flour mixture. Shake to remove any extra flour. Place the coated chicken onto a plate. Coat all remaining chicken with egg and flour mixtures.
5. Heat skillet and add in the 1 cup of oil. Take the coated chicken and slowly place it into the hot oil. Working in small batches, cook the chicken on both sides until golden brown about 10-15 minutes each side.

Place on a wire rack. Serve while hot.

Thanks to instagram.com/growingupguptas!

More Indian Food Recipes To Try Out During The Coronavirus Pandemic

10 Easy And Quick Indian Recipes

https://www.thespruceeats.com/easy-and-quick-indian-recipes-4118365

12 Quick Indian Dessert Recipes

https://www.easycookingwithmolly.com/2019/03/12-quick-indian-dessert-recipes/

5 Ingredient Quick And Easy Indian Sweet Recipe

https://simplyvegetarian777.com/kalakand-5-ingredients-quick-easy-recipe/

Staying Resilient During The Coronavirus Pandemic

Without a doubt, this is a frightening and trying time for all of us in many different ways. However, it is not a time to give up but to stay resilient. I know, saying this is easier said than done. But speaking with tears currently in our family’s eyes, earlier this week, we lost a loved one due to pneumonia. They decided to give up being on a ventilator so that someone else could live. Hence we will not be able to come together as a family to grieve our loss and celebrate their life right now but, you know what, one day, someday, we will.

In the meantime I hope these recipes are helpful and provide a bit of ease.  Thank you again to everyone who shared their recipes and a little bit of themselves too.

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