From the Degchi kitchen

tandoori roti at homenaan without tandoor

Tandoori Roti and Naan Without a Tandoor

A real tandoor runs far hotter than any home stove, but a hot tawa, a wet dough surface and a bit of nerve get you blistered tandoori roti and naan.

Usama Alam · 11 November 2026 · 5 min read

steam idli without steamerdhokla without steamer

Steaming Without a Steamer: Idli, Dhokla, Pitha in a Pot

You do not need a special steamer for idli, dhokla or Bengali bhapa pitha. A deep pot, something to lift the tray above the water and a tea towel is enough.

Usama Alam · 11 November 2026 · 5 min read

pressure cooker vs potpressure cooker cooking times

Pressure Cooker vs Open Pot: Real Cooking Times

A pressure cooker halves some jobs and does nothing for others. Side-by-side times for mutton, chickpeas, kidney beans and lentils, and when to leave the lid off.

Usama Alam · 11 November 2026 · 6 min read

jaggery gurshakkar meaning

Gur, Jaggery, Shakkar, Khandsari: Desi Sugar Names Decoded

Gur, gud, jaggery, shakkar, khandsari, mishri. One word means unrefined cane block in Urdu and plain sugar in Hindi. A clear guide, with swaps for your kitchen.

Usama Alam · 11 November 2026 · 5 min read

red chilli powderkashmiri chilli

Lal Mirch, Kashmiri, Deggi, Cayenne: Which Red Chilli Powder?

Your curry came out brick red and fiery, or pale and tame. The red chilli powder you picked is usually why. A guide to lal mirch, Kashmiri, deggi mirch, cayenne and paprika.

Usama Alam · 11 November 2026 · 5 min read

jeera vs shahi jeerakalonji vs black cumin

Jeera, Shahi Jeera, Kalonji, Ajwain: Spice Seeds Mixed Up

Small brown seeds, big naming mess. Jeera, kala jeera, shahi jeera, kalonji, ajwain and saunf explained, with how to tell them apart by sight and smell.

Usama Alam · 11 November 2026 · 5 min read

laukitori

Lauki, Tori, Tinda, Karela: Gourd Names for the Grocery Aisle

Desi shops sell five or six gourds that look alike and have three names each. How to tell lauki from tori from tinda, plus what to cook with each.

Usama Alam · 10 November 2026 · 5 min read

atta vs maidabesan gram flour

Atta, Maida, Besan, Suji: Which Flour Is Which Abroad?

The desi flour aisle has five names and the supermarket uses five different ones. A plain guide to atta, maida, besan and suji, with swaps that work and swaps that do not.

Usama Alam · 10 November 2026 · 5 min read

tarka vs baghartadka vs tarka

Tarka vs Baghar vs Chaunk vs Tadka: Same Trick, Different Names

One recipe says tarka, the next says baghar, a third says chaunk. They are mostly the same step. Here is how the names map across Pakistan, India and Bangladesh.

Usama Alam · 10 November 2026 · 5 min read

bun kababbun kabab recipe

Bun Kabab at Home: The Karachi Street Burger

Bun kabab is not a burger with a patty on top. The patty is cooked mince and chana daal, ground smooth, dipped in egg and fried. Here is how to stop it falling apart.

Usama Alam · 10 November 2026 · 5 min read