Living in the New Jersey/New York City area provides some great advantages to Indian Americans. Since there are so many of us around, there's easy access to Indian grocery stores and restaurants. Because of this, at least one meal a day is a traditional recipe and tastes as close as it can if not the same as what it actually tastes like in India. No matter what of India a family is from, there are some essentials that always need to be stocked up in our kitchens.

1. 10-pound bags of whole wheat flour and rice

Whole wheat flour is used for a wide variety of our classic types of bread. Used to make rotis, parathas, or puris, most dishes are only complete when eaten with it. Depending on what state one is from, rice can be the more popular staple, or both can be used at once.

2. A large container filled with smaller bowls of assorted spices

Indians love spices and each dish has a different combination of flavors that just can't be fulfilled by salt and pepper. Besides the well known red chili powder, we also need turmeric, cardamom, ginger, cumin, coriander, garam masala, and much more.

3. Ghee

In English, it is known as clarified butter, and it is added last to be mixed into dishes or to top off rotis and rice.

4. A collection of dals

An important side, if not the main dish, dals or lentils, come in all different sizes and colors. Ranging from the most commonly loved yellow moong, to black, to orange, dals can be prepared in the form of a soup or even dry.

5. Ground black tea, but not in bags

Chai, or spiced black milk tea, needs to be made anywhere between two to four times a day to satisfy an average sized family.

6. Maggi

This is the Indian form of instant ramen and the perfect solution for a late night craving or lazy dinner.

7. Mangos and lychees

Hands down, the most beloved fruits. If they were available in season all year long, there wouldn't be a day when they wouldn't be stocked up at home.