KADAI TIPS
KADAI’S ARE AN IMPORTANT VESSEL FOR THE INDIAN KITCHEN.
The vessels we cook in, our pots and pans and pressure cookers, have a definitive impact on the end flavour of our dishes. Learn some basics about what is a kadai and why it is used in regional Indian cooking.
Explore our brief tips on why we use a kadai for Indian cooking >
TOP TIPS
THE KADAI
Why do you use a kadai with Indian cooking?
Kadai’s allow for very high heat cooking over flame. This high heat method of cooking has a particular impact on proteins, produce, fats, and spices.
Can I use a kadai on an induction stovetop?
Thankfully it is possible to buy flat-bottomed kadai’s that can be used on induction stovetops. I bought mine in a camping equipment store.
What is a kadai?
A kadai is a heavy vessel shaped like a wok that comes in many sizes—from quite small to very large—and is widely used in regional Indian cooking traditions.
Is a kadai the same as a wok?
Not really. A wok is classically thinner than a kadai, and so drives heat differently. A kadai has a very deep and resonant high heat, as opposed to the high heat of a wok that is flashy and fiery.
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