Vegetarian Indian Masalas
What do we cover?
What is Indian Vegetarian Food?
India is home to the largest vegetarian community of any county in the world with a reported 400 million vegetarians. The spread of vegetarianism was led by the growth of Jainism and teachings of the Buddah. Not long after there were also several Hindus that started to incorporate the vegetarian diet into their lives as well. It was common belief that practicing a vegetarian diet would lead to a more successful and prosperous life. The north west region of India, where it is highly encouraged by the government, has the most dense vegetarian community in India. India is the birth place of many innovative and unique vegetarian dishes that are eaten all across the world. In fact, a majority of people that practice a vegetarian diet outside of India are very familiar with Indian food because of the mind blowing variety of dishes and flavors that it offers. Some of the most popular vegetarian Indian dishes are:
- A spicy and tangy Punjabi potato dish that is cooked with Indian pickling spices. It is commonly served as a side dish with other meals and eaten with crispy parathas.
- A spicy and full flavored Punjabi dish with chickpeas and a thick dark colored curry.
- A spicy Punjabi dish with hard boiled eggs and a tomato and onion based curry.
- Paneer is a very popular protein substitute used by many vegetarians in India. India has a vast selection of paneer curries ranging from Butter Paneer, Paneer Lababdar, Kadai Paneer Gravy, Paneer Tikka Masala and many more.
- A north Indian dish with red kidney beans served in a hearty and dark tomato based curry. Rajma Curry is commonly eaten with chawal, which is a type of rice.
- A south Indian tomato based soup that usually contains a variety of vegetables, lentils, spices and more.
- Sabji translates to “vegetable dish”. Sabji dishes can be made in either a dry, wet or curry form. Some of the most popular sabji dishes include Gobhi Masaledaar, Beans Patoli puduve, Methi Aloo, Crispy Andhra Bhindi and many more.
- Tofu is another popular protein substitute eaten by several vegetarians. Some of the most popular tofu curries include
What are the ingredients in ALCO Masalas?
ALCO Masalas are 100% natural. They contain no artificial flavors, no preservatives, no anti-caking agents and no fillers.
Achari Aloo Masala- MIXED SPICES, SALT, NIGELLA, FENUGREEK SEED, BLACK PEPPER, CLOVE, CORIANDER, DRIED MANGO, TURMERIC, MUSTARD, BLACK SALT, CITRIC ACID (E330).
- CORIANDER, SALT, DRIED MANGO, KACHRI, RED CHILI, CUMIN, POMEGRANATE SEEDS, BLACK PEPPER, CINNAMON BARK, NUTMEG, CLOVE, TURMERIC, DRIED GINGER, BAY LEAF, GREEN CARDAMOM, CARAWAY, MACE
- CORIANDER, CUMIN, RED CHILI, SALT, TURMERIC, MINT, LONG PEPPER, STAR ANISE, CLOVE, CURRY LEAF, BAY LEAF
- CORIANDER, CHILI, CASSIA LEAF, CUMIN, DRIED MANGO, DEHYDRATED GARLIC, BLACK PEPPER, TURMERIC, DRIED GINGER, CASSIA LEAF, BLACK CARDAMOM, GREEN CARDAMOM, CLOVE, FENUGREEK LEAF, SALT, STAR ANISE, FENNEL
- DRIED MANGO, SALT, CORIANDER, KACHRI, RED CHILI, POMEGRANATE SEED, CUMIN, DEHYDRATED GARLIC, BLACK SALT, DRIED GINGER, CINNAMON BARK, BLACK PEPPER, TURMERIC, NUTMEG, CLOVE, CARAWAY, STAR ANISE, FENUGREEK LEAF, MACE
- CORIANDER, CUMIN, CHILI, BENGAL GRAM, BLACK GRAM, PIGEON PEA, RICE, FENUGREEK SEED, SALT, CURRY LEAF, TAMARIND, CASSIA BARK, ASAFOETIDA, TURMERIC, MALIC ACID (E296), BLACK CARDAMOM, SESAME SEED, CLOVE
- CORIANDER, DRIED MANGO, CUMIN, CHILI, BLACK PEPPER, TURMERIC, CLOVE, SALT, CASSIA LEAF, DRIED GINGER, BLACK CARDAMOM, NUTMEG
- CORIANDER, CUMIN, CLOVE, SALT, CHILI, BLACK PEPPER, BLACK CARDAMOM, GREEN CARDAMOM, BAY LEAF, CINNAMON, STAR ANISE, NUTMEG, LONG PEPPER
Where does Indian Vegetarian Food come from?
Achari Aloo- Achari Aloo originated from Punjabi cuisine in North India.
- Amritsari Chole originated from Punjabi cuisine in North India.
- Egg Curry is native to both southern and northern India. The egg curry in northern India is referred to as Punjabi style and the egg curry in southern India is referred to as Kerala style.
- Butter Paneer originated from Delhi, India.
- Paneer Lababdar is inspired by Mulghai cuisine and originated from North India. Kadai Paneer originated from North India.
- A north Indian dish with red kidney beans served in a hearty and dark tomato based curry. Rajma Curry is commonly eaten with chawal, which is a type of rice.
- A south Indian tomato based soup that usually contains a variety of vegetables, lentils, spices and more.
- Sabji translates to “vegetable dish”. Sabji dishes can be made in either a dry, wet or curry form. Some of the most popular sabji dishes include Gobhi Masaledaar, Beans Patoli puduve, Methi Aloo, Crispy Andhra Bhindi and many more.
- Tofu is another popular protein substitute eaten by several vegetarians. Some of the most popular tofu curries include
What dietary and health benefits do ALCO Masalas provide?
Dietary Benefits of ALCO Masalas:
- Gluten Free
- NON-GMO
- Paleo Friendly
- KETO Friendly
- Vegan
- Vegetarian
ALCO Masalas contain a vast amount of different spices, which have several potential health benefits. Some of the key ingredients that are contained in most of the ALCO Masalas are:
Chili Powder
Chili Powder contains the bioactive compound capsaicin, which has a variety of potential health benefits. When consumed regularly, chili powder is believed to numb your pain receptors over time and help reduce heartburn pain caused by acid reflux. Chili Powder paired with a healthy lifestyle may also aid in weight loss by increasing the rate your body burns fat. Chili Powder also contains many essential minerals and vitamins, which include:- Vitamin A
- Vitamin C
- Vitamin B6
- Vitamin K1
- Copper
- Potassium
Turmeric
Turmeric has recently become a very popular supplement for its medicinal benefits. Turmeric contains a very powerful antioxidant called curcumin, which gives the turmeric its bright yellow color. Curcumin is not easily absorbed into your blood, but if you consume the curcumin with black pepper it will greatly increase the absorption into your bloodstream and help you reap its benefits. Turmeric has a wide range of potential health benefits which include:Reducing Inflammation
- Short term inflammation is needed to help our bodies heal themselves, but long term or chronic inflammation can lead to an increased risk of developing diseases. Curcumin does an excellent job of blocking inflammatory molecules, which lowers our risk of developing diseases such as cancer. Turmeric is also commonly used to help relieve pain caused by arthritis.
- Curcumin is a powerful antioxidant that protects our cells against free radicals. Free radicals are chemically active molecules that enter our body when we are exposed to tobacco or certain processed foods. Free radicals and high levels of cholesterol and triglycerides are large contributors to cardiovascular disease.
- There have been studies that show turmeric can help reduce the spread of cancer by killing a large variety of different cancer cells. Turmeric has also been shown to reduce the side effects of chemotherapy.
- Curcumin has the ability to cross the blood-brain barrier and protect us from Alzheimer’s, depression and mood disorders. Turmeric helps reduce the inflammation and protein plaque build up in the brain.
Cumin
Aiding in Digestion- Medically, cumin has been most commonly used to aid with digestion. Cumin can increase the activity of digestive proteins and release bile from the liver, resulting in better digestion. Cumin may also help with IBS symptoms.
- Iron is used to carry oxygen in the hemoglobin of red blood cells, which allows the cells to create energy. Iron deficiency can lead to fatigue, weakness, dizziness and headache.
- Cumin contains a variety of compounds that function as antioxidants. Antioxidants are said to reduce cell damage caused by free radicals. Free radicals can attack your cells when food is processed or if you are exposed to smoke or radiation. If the free radicals become too high, it can cause heart disease, diabetes, cancer and more.
- Cumin has antimicrobial properties, which can reduce your risk of contracting food borne illness. At one point, cumin was actually used for the purpose of increasing food safety.
Coriander
Lowering Blood Pressure- Coriander is said to lower blood vessel tension by promoting the interaction of calcium ions and acetylcholine. Therefore, Coriander could lower your risk of heart attacks and strokes.
- Coriander oil has actually been patented for its anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties. Coriander could help with a variety of skin conditions ranging from dryness, fungal infections and eczema.
- Aiding in Digestion: Coriander contains borneol and linalool, which help our liver and bowels function properly. Coriander also contains a variety of compounds that have antibacterial properties, which can help us treat diarrhea and food borne illness such as salmonella.
- Reducing Cholesterol: Coriander can help reduce bad cholesterol and increase good cholesterol levels because it contains a variety of compounds that are good for your cholesterol health.
- Bone Strength: Coriander is an excellent source of calcium, which is a very important mineral in bone growth and durability.
- Kills Bacteria and Fungi: The oil extracted from Cardamom seeds may be effective in killing bacteria and fungi. Studies have shown that the oil from the cardamom seeds kills bacteria and fungi by damaging their cell membrane.
- Helps with Metabolic Syndrome: Cardamom can also aid those with metabolic syndrome, which leads to heart disease and type 2 diabetes. Metabolic syndrome includes health conditions such as obesity, high cholesterol and high blood sugar. A study was conducted on women with metabolic syndrome. The study found that those who consumed the green cardamom had lower levels of inflammatory proteins, C-reactive protein and other markers compared to the placebo group.
- Contains Antioxidants: Antioxidants are said to reduce cell damage caused by free radicals. Free radicals can attack your cells when food is processed or if you are exposed to smoke or radiation. If the free radicals become too high, it can cause heart disease, diabetes, cancer and more.
- Helps Maintain Oral Hygiene: Cardamom has been used for hundreds of years as a mouth freshener. It can also be used to lower your risk of cavities and gum disease by killing the bacteria in your mouth.
What makes ALCO Foods' masalas unique?
PREMIUM QUALITY AND TASTE- We are very diligent in our efforts to procure the highest quality spices in the world. The aroma and bold flavors of our spices will make you fall in love with experimenting and trying new flavors in the kitchen.
- We do not add any artificial flavors, so all of the spices are 100% natural and ethically sourced directly from the Earth. We believe you should never have to use artificial flavors when the Earth provides so many great tasting natural flavors for us. There are also no added preservatives. We are committed to serving you food products that you can feel safe consuming. We believe that you should always know what you are eating, which is why we do not use any strange chemicals created in a lab to help extend the shelf life of our products.
- We are committed to strengthening our community, which is why all of our spices are ethically sourced and purchased from farmers in India.