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Discover the Best Indian Cooking Classes Online
Indian cooking is a style of cooking that originates in India, and can vary widely according to which region of India it is associated with. In general, Indian cooking is characterized by its use of unique and flavorful spices like turmeric, cumin, and ginger. It is also known for its relationship with Indian tradition and culture. Many recipes are passed down through generations, and some are associated with specific festivals or religious ceremonies.
Why You Should Learn Indian Cooking Online
Learning Indian cooking can benefit you in a number of different ways. You’ll learn about new cooking techniques and flavors, and you can apply that knowledge to other cuisines as well. You’ll also learn about Indian culture, since many Indian food recipes are strongly connected to the country’s cultural heritage. Learning Indian cooking can also be beneficial to your health. This type of cuisine is known for its use of herbs and spices, and many of them are believed to have health benefits like anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties.
Virtual Indian Cooking Classes
When you take a virtual class, you attend by logging on with your computer. Instruction is live, and just like with an in-person class, you can ask questions and get immediate feedback. Virtual classes became common during the restrictions of the COVID-19 pandemic, however, this type of learning remains popular today because it gives students so much flexibility. When you learn virtually, you don’t even have to leave the comfort of your own home. Some students don’t like that with virtual classes you generally have to supply your own materials, or that you occasionally have to deal with technological issues like internet connectivity problems, but overall, this format is very popular. You can learn many different subjects virtually, including Indian cooking, and you’ll find that there are many different online Indian cooking classes.
The League of Kitchens is a group made up of women from around the world, who offer a variety of different cooking classes where they share both their family recipes and their personal stories. Indian Cooking Online w/ Yamini is led by Yamini, who was born and raised in Mumbai, India. She teaches students three of her family recipes: homemade flatbreads stuffed with spiced potatoes and onions, refreshing cucumber, and yogurt raita. Participants also share questions, conversations, and stories. The class ends with a virtual dinner party. Students need to supply their own ingredients and can find a list online. This class has an average of 13 students per session. It costs $50 and runs for two and a half hours. The League of Kitchens has been featured in a number of well-known publications including the New York Times and the Los Angeles Times.
EZ Compliments offers many different online Indian cooking classes. For instance, in the Tuesday Workshop Series, students make a different complete meal in each session. Some menu examples include chicken rogan josh and cumin rice, goan fish curry and peas pulao, and keema matar and plain paratha. Students have the option to sign up for one class, or to sign up for an entire four-week series. Each dish that is made can be personalized according to dietary requirements, including vegetarian or gluten-free needs. A single class is $50, and runs for an hour and a half on Tuesday evenings. The average class size is about 12. There is also a Thursday Workshop Series. EZ Compliments is based in Andover, Massachusetts, and was started by Chef Shilpi, who was born and raised in India. Her goal is to share her passion for Indian cooking, and help everyone enjoy Indian food.
Mukti’s Kitchen is another place to learn Indian cooking virtually. This school is based in Brooklyn, New York, but offers online classes in addition to in-person ones. Founder Mukti started the school in order to share the variety and uniqueness of her Indian cooking with other people, and to empower them to cook their own food and make healthy choices. In Authentic Indian Vegetarian, she teaches students to make eggplant masala, saag paneer, and vegetable pulao/pilaf. This class meets through Zoom and costs $75.
If you’re interested in Indian cooking, you might also enjoy a class called Bangladeshi Cooking Online with Asfari. Bangladeshi cooking is not exactly the same as Indian cooking, however, there are some similarities. This class is taught by Asfari, who was born in Bangladesh, and now lives in Brooklyn. Asfari’s cooking has been featured in the New York Times and Taste. In this class, students learn to make murgir mangsho, which is slow-cooked chicken and potato, and bharatham which is flavored basmati rice. A shopping list is available online. The class costs $60, and is two and a half hours long.
New York City-based Food Craft offers a virtual class on Chai Making. Chai is a spiced tea that originated in India. In this class, students learn how to make authentic masala chai tea, using fresh spices. They also learn about the history of chai, and its health benefits. Each student in this class receives a chai-making kit, which includes packets of tea and sugar, whole milk, and a variety of spices. Students need to provide a few basic kitchen supplies, which are listed online. This class is $650, and runs for two hours.
Private Online Group Indian Cooking Classes
It can be a lot of fun to learn to cook as a group. If you need to plan a group activity, try a private group Indian cooking class from CourseHorse. Not only are CourseHorse group events entertaining and hassle-free, but the booking process is simple. Within 24 hours, you’ll get confirmation of your booking, and you won’t have to register or pay a booking fee. As long as you meet the group minimum, you can also make changes to your booking up to 72 hours before the event takes place.
If your group likes to learn about making different types of food, CourseHorse’s Virtual Sushi Making Workshop is a great choice. This workshop runs for 90 minutes and is led by a professional chef and instructor. Participants learn how to make their own sushi, including making sushi rice, cut rolls, hand rolls, and nigiri. They also receive instruction on basic knife cuts, and some basic information about fish. Each participant is sent a sushi kit before the event, which includes chopsticks, a rolling mat, and ingredients for making sushi rice, as well as a gift card to use for buying their preferred sushi fillings. Participants need some basic kitchen supplies including a saucepan with a lid, a kitchen towel, and a knife. The Sushi Making Workshop can accommodate up to 500 people, and costs $110 per person.
Another virtual group option is Virtual Spanish Tapas. Guided by a professional chef, participants in this class cook three small classic plates: garlic shrimp, patatas bravas, and roasted cauliflower. They also make paprika aioli to enjoy with the cauliflower and patatas. Dietary restrictions can be accommodated. This class costs $420 for up to ten people, and $20 per person thereafter. Customization is an additional $150.
Group classes booked through CourseHorse generally take place through Zoom, however, Google Meets, Microsoft Teams, and WebEx are also supported. To receive more information about scheduling a private Indian cooking event, or to learn about the other options available, contact CourseHorse.
Online vs. In-Person Indian Cooking Classes
In-person and online classes are both popular ways to learn Indian cooking. Each format has advantages and disadvantages, and the decision about which one to pick will depend on many factors, including your learning style, your schedule, and where you live.
When you take an in-person cooking class, you travel to a classroom or kitchen, where you learn in person, in the same room as the instructor and other students. In most cases, the instructor supplies all the ingredients and cooking equipment that you need. Some people prefer this format because they find it more engaging and easier to learn. In-person classes also offer more opportunities to interact with fellow students. However, the biggest downside to an in-person class is that you have to travel to the class location. In-person classes can also be overwhelming or intimidating for certain people.
In contrast, with an online class, no commute is required. Instead, you can simply log on from home, or any other location that you choose. With just a computer and an internet connection, you can attend a class taking place on the other side of the country if you want to. A disadvantage to this format is that because you don’t go to a fully-stocked kitchen or classroom, in most cases you need to supply all of your own equipment. Another disadvantage is that you could encounter technological frustrations, such as computer or internet connection issues. If you’re not familiar with conferencing platforms like Zoom, your online learning experience might also be more difficult, since most online classes take place through Zoom or a similar platform.
Can I Learn Indian Cooking for Free Online?
You can definitely learn a lot about Indian cooking by looking at free online recipes and tutorials. You’ll quickly discover that there is a wealth of free online information on this style of cooking; from YouTube videos to cooking websites, you’ll see hundreds of different listings. However, the downside to that abundance of information is that it can be hard to decide which website or posting to use. You’ll find that it can be difficult to sort through all of the free information out there, to find content that is authentic and reliable.
For this reason, many people who want to learn Indian cooking end up enrolling in a paid class. This can definitely make the learning process quicker and easier. Indian cooking might involve using ingredients and techniques that you’re not familiar with, and when you take a class, you can get instruction and feedback from an expert, who can give you tips and tricks, and help you avoid common mistakes and problems.
