Indian market treasures: how to shop for and cook this flavorful cuisine

Sunset, Oct, 2003 by Linda Lau Anusasananan

Hot ketchup (8): Indian-style ketchup with a spicy kick; Tom Tom is Alur-Kundargi's favorite brand.

Tamarind-date chutney (7): A dark brown, sweet sour chutney.

Rice

Basmati: Highly aromatic long grain rice that grows in the foothills of the Himalayas.

Poha (6): Rakes of dried and flat toned cooked rice that resemble old-fashioned Ivory soap flakes; they come thick or thin. Use thin poha in snack mixes. Rinse thick poha in a colander until thoroughly moistened and drain; mix with seasoned oils or yogurt for light grain salads (similar to couscous dishes).

Spices

Individual: Saffron; green or black cardamom (the green is the form that is bleached for white car damom); black and regular cumin seeds; and coriander.

Blends (1, 4): Garam masala (all purpose aromatic seasoning; buy a whole-seed version and grind it in a blender or spice grinder for fresh est flavor); chaat masala (sprinkle over fruit, buttermilk, or potatoes): pav-bhaji masala (for vegetable dishes); tandoori masala (rub over meats, seafood, and vegetables for grilling); mukhwa (roasted seed mixture; use as an after-dinner digestive or breath freshener).

Beverages

Black teas, coffee. Rose syrup: Sweet, fragrant red syrup; mix with soda water and ice or with cold milk for pink coolers. Tropical fruit juices: Mango, litchi, guava, and passion fruit.

Sweets

Canned sweetened Alphonso mango pulp (2): The Alphonso variety contains few fibers; Hiremath likes the Ratna brand. Use it for desserts and drinks.

Chikki: Candied nut and seed brittles.

Cookies: Cashew, coconut, almond, and pistachio.

Ice creams: Saffron, saffron-rose, pistachio, mango, litchi, and cashew-raisin; Kwality and Real Ice Cream are good brands.

Shopping

These markets were recommended to us by Indian cooks. Most offer a selection of dry goods, some fresh produce, and refrigerated and frozen offerings. On weekends, many sell freshly baked breads, samosas, desserts, and chaat (snacks). Go to www.littleindia.us/search/ Grocery.html for a market list. Many of the ingredients in our recipes can be ordered from the Indian Foods Company (www.indianfoodsco.com) or from Namaste.com (www.namaste.com or 8661438-4642).

NORTHWEST

India Direct, 16205 N.W. Bethany Court, Ste. 110, Beaverton, OR; (503) 6900499.

J.B. Foods. 6607 Main St., Vancouver, B.C.; (604) 3210224.

Mayuri Food and Video. 2560 152nd Ave. N.E., Redmond, WAS (425) 861-3800. Punjab Food Center Limited. 6635 Main St., Vancouver, B.C.; (604) 3225502.

NORTHERN CALIFORNIA

Bharat Bazaar. 3686 El Camino Real, #2203, Santa Clara; (408) 247-4307.

Dana Bazar. 5113 Mowry Ave., Fremont; (510) 7420555.

India Cash & Carry. 1032 E. El Camino Real, Sunnyvale; (408) 735-7383.

Spice House. 29266 Union City Bird., Union City; (510) 489-6857.

VIK Distributors. 726 Allston Way, Berkeley; (510) 644-4412.

SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA

Bharat Bazaar. 11510 W. Washington Blvd., Los Angeles; (310) 398-6766. India Spices and Groceries. 5994 Pico Blvd., Los Angeles; (323) 931-4871.

SOUTHWEST

India Bazaar. 933 E. University Dr., Tempe, AZ; (480) 784-4442.