Whether you are a vegan or a vegetarian or just plain curious, shopping for your groceries at an Indian market Los Angeles is something you should definitely try. Indian cuisine not only offers an extensive variety of vegan and vegetarian dishes because Indian markets also offers a lot of cheap staples such as rice, spices, beans, and lentils.
Your first few visits at an Indian market may be overwhelming and even downright confusing. There are huge amounts and large varieties of foods packed into a cramped space. To help save you from the trouble, here is a quick overview of what to find and buy at an Indian market:
Frozen Appetizers and Dinners
Yes, there are frozen dinners and appetizers waiting for you, most of which are vegan or vegetarian, perfect for those times when you need to grab a quick meal.
Frozen Vegetables
Aside from the more familiar veggies, you can also find some that might be completely new to you. Other great options include small baby pumpkins, arrowroot, bitter gourd, and more.
Frozen Breads
Frozen breads are also available in different varieties from chapatis and rotis to breads stuffed with fillings and naans.
Dairy Section
An Indian market is the best place to get your yoghurt if you eat dairy. Indian yoghurt has a unique taste different from other types.
Fresh Produce
Make sure you pick some fresh green chili peppers when you go shopping at an Indian market. Don’t forget to grab some fresh cilantro, tomatoes, cauliflower, limes, daikon radish, and eggplant.
Rice
Buying rice at an Indian market lets you enjoy great savings. You might want to try getting some basmati rice and other types and sizes as well.
Flour
Flour is open found right beside the rice. Again, there are lots of varieties here made from whole wheat and wheat, millet, rice, and even legumes such as chickpea flour.
Dried Lentils and Beans
Dried lentils and beans are another area that will let you save more money instead of buying them from your mainstream markets.
Spices
Indian markets have amazing spice aisles with low prices. Some of the basic spices you can use for your Indian dishes include red chili powder, turmeric, garam masala spice blend, and cumin seeds.
Pickles
Far from your usual American pickles, pickles available at Indian markets can give some flavors to your bread and other dishes. Mango pickles in particular will never make you go wrong.
Ginger and Garlic Paste
Make sure you buy a jar each to help you save more time when cooking. You can use both ginger and garlic for many Indian recipes that you will surely love.
Chutney
You can choose from plenty of chutneys including mint chutney and mixed chutney with peppers and coriander.
Mixes, Bags, and Boxes
You can also find plenty of mixes, from simmer sauces to sambar soups, and dosa batters. A quick glance is all it takes to find something that will catch your fancy.
Prepackaged Meals
Often found in the aisles where you can get the mixes, you can get these meals in antiseptic pouches you can store at room temperature.
Snacks
Complete your shopping by grabbing some snacks that come in mixtures of crispy small noodles, puffed rice, nuts, spices, lentils, and roasted chickpeas.
