[header] How to stock up your kitchen for making indian food [title] " spices " [title] " zeera/jeera " or cumin seeds : [step] These are seeds that have a lovely smell and add a unique flavour to the food. It is one of the " spicy " elements. Zeera is usually added to the " tadka ", (tempering) a little hot oil, with various spices. 
This tadka forms the base of most indian dishes. Zeera is used as a whole or in the powdered form.