The Mowgli Spice Box

I don’t go in for huge spice lists. Instead, I rely on a tailored list of key spices that bring instant, bold flavour. Each spice in my personalized box has its own distinct flavour and perfume. Learn how to use them, adding them in the right combinations, at the right time, and – importantly – cooking them in the correct way, and they will transform your Indian dishes into complex, flavourful symphonies.

Asian grocery stores and the world food aisle of larger supermarkets often stock spices in large bags and these can be more economical than buying those tiny glass spice jars. But, take care – if you are only going to use spices infrequently, you could be better off buying the smaller amounts. Ground spices will start to go stale after a year of being opened. If you don’t think you will get through a whole bag in that time, go small.