When cooking Indian food (especially dosa) on a griddle, drop a few drops of water on it to see if it's hot enough. If the water immediately sizzles, then the griddle is indeed hot enough, and you can proceed. Wipe the surface clean before you begin.

Before adding fresh cauliflower to your Indian food, soak it in warm, salted water for a while. This will kill any insects that are still hiding among the florets. After soaking, wash the entire cauliflower with clean water, then cut it up and wash each piece again before using it.

When reheating fried Indian food such as samosa or vada in the microwave, put a layer of tissue paper or paper towels between the food items and the plate. The paper will absorb the excess moisture and oil driven off during the heating, making the food crisper.