Anyone who loves cooking knows that cooking can be a very meditative experience, but as an Indian woman living in New York City, it also comes with unique challenges. I have lived alone (apart from my mother’s cooking) for 14 years. It’s taken me this long to curate a collection of kitchen essentials that recreate the eating and drinking experiences I had as a child and obviously took for granted.
These items not only make my kitchen life easier, they also make it more enjoyable. Some of them, like this Le Creuset bread, are staples for making naan and have been in my kitchen for years. Other products like Smeg Milk Frother came into my life recently in search of a true “first sip chai love” experience. We’ve put together a list of 11 kitchen gadgets from Amazon and products we use every day from brands like Our Place, OXO, and Caraway. Prices start from just $13.
Amazon’s Best Kitchen Appliances and Indian Cooking Gadgets
Our Place Dream Cooker, $199 Chai Box Chai Concentrate, $30 OXO Good Grip Nonstick Rolling Pin, $21, originally $23 Hawkins Takka Pan, 1.5 cup, $18, originally $22 Le Creuset Essential Nonstick Frying Pan, $100 Creative Co-Op Marble Cutting Board, $23, originally $35 Vegan Richa’s Indian Kitchen Cookbook, $16, originally $28 Ototo Nessie Ladle, $13, originally $19 Smeg Milk Frother, $230 Caraway 14 Piece Kitchen Prep Set, $395
our place dream cooker
Amazon
Before I moved to New York City, I had a lot of large cabinets where I stored a lot of pots and pans. After years of living here and trying to cram everything into a small space, I finally have a multitasking item that does it all. This cooker from Our Place is what I often use to make curry and rice, and it’s the perfect size for a small kitchen. No problem, the rice won’t stick together when you’re cooking it, and it will look very pretty on your kitchen table during a dinner party.
chai box chai concentrate
Amazon
I’ve been drinking this concentrate from The Chai Box for years. I’ve tried many different concentrates, but this is the only one I keep coming back to. The blend includes cardamom, cinnamon, fennel, cloves, ginger, and black tea. I don’t have the patience to put down a mortar and pestle to practice blending fresh spices. However, even if I could do that, I’m pretty confident that nothing would taste as good as this. In the summer, I pour a little over ice and mix it with milk and drink it, but now that it’s getting colder, I mix it with foamed milk every morning.
OXO Good Grip Non-Stick Rolling Pin
Amazon
Naan and roti are part of my diet, so I’m very particular about the rolling pin I use. This nonstick option from OXO is especially useful because it’s heavy enough to stretch the dough without too much pressure, but not so heavy that it flattens the dough too much. I’ve owned this for about 3 years now, after testing several options over the past 10 years, and this is by far my favorite. Easier to clean than wooden options.
Hawkins Takka Bread 1.5 cups
Amazon
I love bold flavors, so this little pot has been a game changer in making tadka (tempering) as the base for my dishes. I sauté spices, onions, and tomatoes in ghee, then pour it into the rice cooker and use it to mix with curries, soups, rice, or spread on naan bread. Sometimes I use this handy pot to make tadka and add it to all my meals for the week.
Le Creuset Essential Nonstick Frying Pan
Amazon
If you make naan or roti frequently like I do, you need a good quality non-stick pan. Introducing this pick from the popular cookware brand Le Creuset. The no-frills essentials keep every loaf golden brown and soft, and the 8-inch width makes it easy to store. My favorite things are that the ergonomic handle is not cold to the touch and the non-stick surface leaves no crumbs.
Creative Co-Op Marble Cutting Board
Amazon
Yes, it’s technically a cutting board, but I use it for rolling naan and roti dough. The white finish goes well with an all-white kitchen, so I always display it. But marble is more than just beautiful. It is cool and smooth and prevents the dough from sticking. I will admit that I also use it as a charcuterie board for guests. It’s on sale right now for only $23, so it’s a great deal.
Vegan Richa’s Indian Kitchen Cookbook
Amazon
Is it just me, or are the cookbooks you display some kind of status symbol? If you’ve ever come across Richa Hingle’s recipes on Instagram, you know they look delicious. This cookbook proved that everything tastes as good as it looks. I also love the look of this cute cover on the counter. All dishes are vegan, but protein sources can be easily substituted if desired.
Ototonessy ladle
Amazon
This ladle is adorable yet fully functional, with a hooked handle that prevents utensils from falling into pots and cookers. I always use this handy tool when making soup or curry. It’s especially fun when guests come over.
smeg milk frother
Amazon
By the time I received this as a gift a year ago, I had tried about a dozen milk frothers, but this was the only one that lasted more than two months in my kitchen. This whisk from Smeg is made with a dishwasher-safe stainless steel jug and also comes with its own measuring cup. Some people use it to make hot chocolate because it has hot and cold whisking functions, but I use it to drink chai twice a day, in the morning and in the afternoon.
Caraway Kitchen Prep Set 14 Piece Set
Amazon
Counter space is limited, so we’re picky about how we occupy that precious space. However, this minimalist set is so beautiful that it’s hard not to display it. It’s especially convenient since it’s stocked with quality knives and utensils you might need while cooking. I love using wooden tongs to flip and safely serve hot naan bread. Slotted spoons are perfect for serving freshly fried foods from gushing oil.
