Indian food is completely different and unique. It’s no wonder, therefore, that people from all over the world have become interested in Indian cuisine. However, for those who aren’t familiar with native delicacies, knowing what to including in their Indian grocery list can be a challenge. If you find yourself in this situation, then you can make use of the following checklist.

The first thing that should be found on your Indian grocery list should be dal (pronounced dhal). These are actually dried beans/lentils with their outer hulls removed. They are the base of many types of Indian dishes, and are perfect when you add spices. There are different kinds of dals, varying in terms of color, size and even alternate names. These include: toor, chana, kala chana, mung and urad, to name a few.

An Indian meal is never complete without a papad or a papadum. This side dish is considered to be highly important for anyone interested in making a traditional Indian meal. It is actually a wafer made of black gram, lentil, or rice flour. It can be seasoned with condiments and spices, like garlic, cumin, and chili. Papad, as an Indian food can be eaten during the actual meal or during snack time. To add more flavor to it, you can include chopped onions and a little meat. You can also eat it like a snack chip, or you can dine with it like a shawarma (for larger versions). The best brand to purchase is Lijjat brand papad.

Laddoo, or laddu, is more of a dessert or a sweet rather than a typical Indian food. Nevertheless, it’s normally eaten by traditional Indians, especially during special occasions such as weddings, festivals, and holidays. This popular Indian grocery item is normally made of sweetened flour that is then shaped like small balls. Like dals, there are different types of laddoo. You can have the rava laddu, which can be eaten with sugar and ghee (clarified butter).

The Indian grocery list should also include roti, an Indian food that normally goes with cooked vegetables as well as traditional spicy chicken curries. It is mainly composed of flour or wheat. It can be eaten together with ghee. There are also other varieties of roti. The paratha roti, for example, is usually applied with ghee before being fried. This way, it will be able to retain its crispiness. You also have the dosti roti, where two layers are fried using the tava. It’s commonly served during the birth of a child.

A close relative of the roti is the chappati. It is Indian flat bread. Depending on which region you are in, you will find that chappatis differ in their sizes; they may have a diameter of between 10 and 15 inches.

Today, with the help of the Internet, you no longer have to look for an authentic Indian store to get all the ingredients you need for your Indian food. You can simply shop online. There are a wide variety of choices to satisfy your every preference. All you need to do is to take your Indian grocery list, and wait for your goods to be delivered right your doorstep.