Condiments

Published 2012-Apr-18 Updated 2020-Jun-29

(Jams, Chutneys, Thokku, Thuvayal, Pachadi, Podi, Dips, Sauces and Pickles)

A condiment is a supplemental food that is added to some foods to enhance flavor or to complement the dish. Many diverse condiments exist in various countries, region and culture depending on the food habit, eating pattern and cuisine. Some of the common condiments in the Indian cuisine are pickles, chutney, salads and raitas, jams, sauces, dry powders, dips and even some unique authentic desserts. In the olden days, the traditional Indian thali used to be filled with many small bowls of condiments. This was a common sight irrespective of the zone of the country we belong to. If we look at it more closely, these condiments are the ultimate customization tool. With every bite, we can add more sweetness, sourness or hotness into a completely a different experience. In today’s modern and a busy world, these readymade condiments by itself, along with roti or rice make a complete meal. For instance, the dry chutney powders with steaming hot rice and a dollop of ghee make a full meal and make a boon for the working women. Similarly, spicy vegetable rice or biryani or even a vegetable parathas accompanied by a raita or salad, chill out the blisteringly hot dishes and highlight the flavors. A simple dosa or idly or any breakfast item with chutneys makes up for a satiating meal. The sauces and dips are great for the snacks like bajji, pakoda and the lip smacking chaat varieties. These condiments are easy to prepare, have a long shelf life and can be refrigerated and used for long period of time. Here is a list of some condiments that I have tried and have been liked very much by family and has made my life a lot easier and simple.