Every Indian spice pantry needs to have the bare essentials to start cooking Indian meals. Make sure your shelves are always stocked with the following spices:

• Salt

• Red chili (whole and powder)

• Turmeric

• Coriander (whole and powder)

• Cumin seeds

• Mustard seeds

• Bay leaves

• Cinnamon

• Cloves

• Black peppercorns

• Asafetida

• Green and black cardamom

• Carom seeds (also called ajowan or ajwain)

• Mango powder

• Tamarind pulp

• Dried fenugreek leaves