Side dishes

Indian Side Dish Kits: Enhance Your Meals

Indian side dishes are not mere afterthoughts - they are an integral part of the Indian culinary experience. Our spiced rice kit transforms simple basmati rice into a fragrant and colorful accompaniment that enhances your curries, dal and other main dishes. In India, every meal is a harmonious composition where side dishes play an essential role in balancing flavors, textures and colors.

Spiced rice: the essential accompaniment

Fragrant basmati rice with spices, also called Pulao or Indian Pilaf, is the most versatile accompaniment in Indian cuisine. Unlike plain white rice, spiced rice brings an additional aromatic dimension through a subtle blend of green cardamom, cumin, cloves and bay leaves. Each grain of basmati rice absorbs the aromas of the spices, creating an accompaniment that almost stands alone while magnifying the dishes it accompanies.

Why choose our spiced rice kit?

• Traditional recipe: Created by Mihika according to the method she uses daily in Mumbai
• Balanced spice blend: Perfect dosage for fragrant rice without being overwhelming
• Quick and simple: Ready in 20-25 minutes, even for beginners
• Versatile: Pairs with all your Indian dishes - curries, dal, tandoori, biryani
• Spices from certified organic producers: Premium quality imported directly from India
• Generous portions: Serves 2 to 4 people

How to prepare spiced rice?

Preparing Indian spiced rice is simple and follows a traditional method:

1. Rinse the basmati rice: This step removes excess starch and ensures well-separated grains
2. Sauté the spices: Our whole spice blend is first heated in ghee or oil to release all its aromas
3. Add the rice: The grains are then coated with the fragrant spice mixture
4. Cook in water: Cooking is done like regular rice, but the spice aromas infuse each grain
5. Let it rest: A few minutes of resting allows the rice to finish absorbing the fragrances

The result? Golden, fragrant and fluffy rice that transforms your Indian meal into a true gastronomic experience.

Which dishes to serve with spiced rice?

Spiced rice is the perfect accompaniment for:

• All curries: Butter Chicken, Tikka Masala, Korma, Vindaloo - rice deliciously absorbs the sauces
• Dal and lentils: Perfectly complements spiced lentil dishes
• Tandoori meats: Balances the intensity of tandoori marinades
• Vegetarian dishes: Paneer, sautéed vegetables, sabzi - adds substance to the meal
• Spicy stews: Nihari, Haleem, Rogan Josh - ideal for soaking up sauces

The art of composing an Indian thali

In Indian tradition, a complete meal is presented as a thali: a plate harmoniously composed with a main dish, rice, Indian bread, and several small accompaniments (chutneys, raita, pickles). Our spiced rice is the central element of this thali, around which the other components of the meal are organized.

Other traditional Indian accompaniments

To complete your Indian culinary experience, consider adding:

• Raita: Fresh yogurt with cucumber and mint, soothes the palate between spicy bites
• Indian bread: Naan, chapati, paratha or roti to soak up sauces and balance the meal
• Chutneys: Sweet mango, fresh cilantro or mint for flavor explosions
• Papadum: Crispy lentil wafers for crunch
• Indian pickles: Preserved lemons, mangoes or peppers for lovers of intense flavors

Chef's tips

For perfect spiced rice:

• Use quality basmati rice, with long, fragrant grains
• Ghee (clarified butter) brings incomparable richness, but vegetable oil also works
• Don't skip the rice rinsing step - it's the key to well-separated grains
• Let it rest 5 minutes after cooking before fluffing with a fork
• Add a few fresh cilantro leaves or fried onions for the finishing touch

Order with your main dish kits

Spiced rice is the ideal accompaniment for all our main dish kits. Order it at the same time as your Butter Chicken, Dal or Biryani for a complete Indian meal. You can also prepare it alone with a simple homemade vegetable curry for a simple and delicious meal.

Quality commitment

Our spiced rice kit is hand-packaged to order in Wittisheim, Alsace. Spices come directly from EU certified organic producers in India in accordance with fair trade practices. We are currently in the process of obtaining our own organic certification. Our packaging is biodegradable and has low environmental impact.

Delivery

Fast delivery throughout France, DOM/TOM and Europe, with Colissimo, Mondial Relay and Chronopost. Order prepared within 24 to 48 hours. See the Delivery and shipping page for more information.