Important ingredients

Tamarind or kokum (a dried sour purple plum) is a traditional ingredient used in vegetarian cooking, which adds a unique tanginess to the dishes. One of my favourite Indian breakfasts was the famous South Indian vegetable soupy stew, sambar. Sambar is also served with idli, individual steamed fermented rice cakes, for breakfast. It is often served as a side to other meals and especially with fresh dosa. Asafoetida or hing spice is a crucial ingredient in Indian vegetarian cooking. Derived from a species of giant fennel, asafoetida powder has a unique smell and flavour, unpleasantly strong while raw but mellow and garlicky when cooked. It is used as a digestive aid in food.