Indian Ghee Recipe: A Journey to the Heart of Indian Cooking

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Are you ready to take your taste buds on a delicious journey to India? Then let’s talk about one of the most beloved ingredients in Indian cooking: Ghee! Indian ghee is a type of clarified butter that is commonly used in Indian cuisine. It’s made by simmering butter until the milk solids separate from the golden liquid.

But Indian ghee is not just any ordinary butter; it’s butter that has been transformed into a rich, nutty, and aromatic ingredient that can add depth and flavor to any dish. Indian ghee is often referred to as “liquid gold” due to its many health benefits and rich flavor. It holds a significant place in Indian rituals and ceremonies. Homemade ghee made with organic, grass-fed butter has a nutty flavor and aroma, and a high smoking point, making it an ideal cooking oil for deep frying and sautéing.

Making ghee is like performing a magical alchemy in your kitchen. You start with simple butter, but with a little heat and patience, it transforms into something truly special. As the butter simmers, the milk solids separate and sink to the bottom, creating a frothy layer on top. As the froth subsides, you have a beautiful golden liquid that smells like heaven. This liquid is your ghee, and it’s ready to take your cooking to the next level. Ghee is a staple in Indian cooking because of its rich flavor and high smoke point, which makes it perfect for frying, sautéing, and roasting. You can use it in everything from curries and dals to rice dishes and desserts. And the best part? Ghee is incredibly easy to make at home, so you can enjoy its deliciousness whenever you want.

Ghee has been an integral part of Indian cuisine for centuries. You can trace the history of Indian ghee back to ancient times when it was known as ‘ghrita’ in Sanskrit. In Indian culture, ghee has been used in religious rituals, as well as for cooking and medicinal purposes. Traditionally, ghee was made by simmering unsalted butter over medium heat until the milk solids settled to the bottom of the pan and turned golden brown. The clear, golden liquid was then strained through a fine-mesh strainer and stored at room temperature. The process of making ghee was time-consuming and required a lot of patience and attention to detail. Today, with the advent of modern kitchen appliances like the Instant Pot, making ghee has become easier and less time-consuming. However, many people still prefer to make their own ghee the traditional way using high-quality butter.

Ghee is a great option for deep frying, as it has a high smoke point and you can reuse it multiple times. The nutty flavor and aroma of ghee add a unique depth of flavor to Indian dishes. Ghee has also become a popular ingredient in the Western world and you can now find it in many grocery stores. However, many people still prefer to make their own ghee for its superior flavor and quality. Whether made at home or store-bought, ghee remains a beloved ingredient in Indian households and a key component of Indian cuisine. So let us make it together with this easy Indian Ghee recipe.

Ingredients For Indian Ghee Recipe

Milk

Milk is the main ingredient in this Indian Ghee recipe, and it contributes to the flavor, texture, and aroma of the final product. It is important to start with non-homgenized and preferably grass fed milk. If you do not use non-homogenized milk, the cream will not separate. The milk provides the fat that is necessary to create butter and subsequently ghee. The milk’s proteins also play a crucial role in flavor development during the fermentation process, which occurs when adding curd/yogurt to the milk. The curd/yogurt contains live bacteria that convert lactose in milk to lactic acid, which thickens the milk and gives it a slightly tangy taste.

Curd/Yogurt

The curd/yogurt starter added to the milk initiates the fermentation process, which is critical for butter flavor. The bacteria in the curd/yogurt consume lactose, which thickens the milk and infiltrates the thick cream that makes butter. The curd/yogurt’s acidity helps to break down the milk’s proteins and fats, leading to a more complex and tangy flavor in the final product.

Step By Step Instructions For Indian Ghee Recipe

I will show you how to make ghee starting from milk. But if you rather start from butter, buy high quality butter like Kerry Gold and begin the process from the butter stage detailed below.

To start this Indian Ghee recipe, boil 1 liter of non-homogenized milk in a saucepan and let it cool. Once it cools, the thick cream will form on top of the milk. It is crucial to use non-homogenized milk.

Next, transfer the warm milk with cream to a bowl and add 1/2 tsp yogurt/curd. Mix well and cover the bowl.

Then, keep the bowl in a warm place for 5-6 hours, allowing the milk to ferment and curdle. A thick layer of fermented cream will form on the top.

After that, collect the cream from the prepared curd in an airtight container and store it in the refrigerator. Keep collecting the cream for 10 days until you have a good amount.

Once you have collected enough cream, transfer it into a mixi jar or blender along with 1 cup of water. Blend the cream in 2 batches with 1 cup water, blend for a minute or until butter separated from the buttermilk. You can add more water if needed.

After blending, transfer the butter and buttermilk into a large bowl. Gather all the butter by moving it to one side using a spatula or your hand. You will get a large sized butter ball.

Next, shape the butter, wrap it in wax paper, and keep it in the fridge to set for 30 minutes. After 30 minutes, slice the unsalted butter.

To prepare the ghee, add the butter to a heavy-bottomed pan and keep the flame on low heat. Melt the butter completely.

Then, continue boiling the melted butter for several minutes until the ghee turns golden and the bubbles turn transparent.

Once done, turn off the flame and let it slightly cool. Finally, filter out the ghee using a fine-mesh strainer and store it in a clean glass jar.

Finally, your homemade ghee, along with the buttermilk and unsalted white butter, are now ready to enjoy!

Serving Suggestions

You can use Indian ghee in a variety of ways to enhance the flavor of your dishes. To begin with, you can use it as a spread on your toast or mix it with your morning upma to give it a rich, nutty taste. Additionally, you can add a dollop of ghee to your rice, lentils, or curries for added depth of flavor. You can also use it for sautéing vegetables or as a cooking oil for deep-frying. Ghee is a popular ingredient in traditional Indian desserts such as gajar ka halwa or kheer, which are rice pudding-like dishes. You can also use ghee in religious rituals as it is considered to be pure and auspicious in Indian culture. You can offer it as holy food to deities or use for lighting lamps during prayer ceremonies.

Storage Instructions

When storing Indian ghee, it is important to transfer it to a clean, dry, and airtight container. You should use a container made of glass or stainless steel that has a tight-fitting lid. Furthermore, it is crucial to place the container in a cool and dry place away from direct sunlight and heat sources. This is because exposure to light and heat can cause the breakdown of ghee’s nutrients. To prevent contamination, avoid using plastic containers as ghee can react with plastic. It is best to consume ghee within a month of making it for maximum freshness and flavor. Additionally, you can store ghee at room temperature for up to 3 months or in the refrigerator for up to 6 months. When scooping out ghee, always use a clean and dry spoon to prevent any contamination.

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