South Asian

No Indian pantry is complete without a batch of homemade garam masala. This fragrant version combines mainstays like cinnamon, cardamom, and nutmeg with rosebuds, cumin, bay leaves, and more.

Sheer korma is a traditional dessert of milk, nuts, and vermicelli that’s served on the morning of Eid in many Indian households.

In many Indian households observing Ramadan, black chickpeas are eaten at sunset when the fast ends.

Kulcha is a type of lightly leavened flatbread from India that’s traditionally made in a tandoor oven. This kulcha recipe is adapted for a cast-iron skillet.

Thepla is a quintessential Gujarati flatbread that goes with anything—mango lassi, a cup of chai, or achar for dipping.

These spiced nuts are tangy, spicy, and the perfect thing to nibble on during the holidays. With extra crunch from cornflakes and a determined kick from cayenne, these will keep you coming back for more.

In this fun and easy Diwali snack, spiced potatoes, cheddar, and cilantro are encased in pastry, then baked until crisp and golden brown.

Paneer is marinated in a creamy herb and garlic yogurt marinade, then charred.

The essence of this pulao is the yakhni, which means meat stock or broth. Homemade chicken stock, bone-in chicken thighs, and an abundance of spices make this a flavorful and comforting one-pot meal.

The filling of this tart reminds of me of the hot Mumbai summers when Mum would make mango shrikhand for us, with the beautiful fragrance of floral cardamom and saffron and the warm notes of nutmeg. Mango and ginger are a great pairing, so the base of the gingersnap crust pairs well with the silky smooth shrikhand filling in the tart. I love this tart and my kids love it too. It is so easy to make that it has become a regular in our home. It is definitely a showstopper for a party as well! It is.…

The Nellore district in Andhra Pradesh is the epicenter of prawn cultivation in India. I am lucky enough to have family in Nellore and have spent many memorable childhood summers with ammama there. The prawns in Nellore make it to the kitchen literally minutes after they are caught, and really do taste like the sea. The trick to this recipe is to be patient and allow the onions to brown to a deep, caramelized sweetness. It never fails to amaze me that such a simple dish can be absolutely delicio.…

Spicy, tangy, oh-so-melty-and-ooey-gooey—these chana masala fries hit on all levels. This particular spin on chana masala leans toward vegetarian chili, with a heavy dose of tomatoes and a kick from both Kashmiri chili powder and a couple serrano chiles. Some of the chickpeas are mashed part way through cooking to achieve a thick, spoonable texture akin to Cincinnati-style chili (read: not chunky or watery). Quick tip: If you’re strapped for time, feel free to use store-bought sweet potato fries)…

Sometimes all you need is just a couple of fresh ingredients thrown into a pan of simply seasoned dal to create a warming and comforting dish. The spinach along with a little yogurt makes this soothing yet deeply delicious.

The simple spices used in the sauce lend this chicken korma a lovely warmth while cashews, poppy seeds, and onions bring creaminess.

Chewy, flaky, rich paratha is always a crowd-pleaser.

These yogurt-marinated kebabs are infused with flavor from ginger, garlic, and spices. Pick all your fixings and tuck into the perfect bite.

For an easy, low-cook dinner, toss canned chickpeas with potatoes, cilantro-mint chutney, tamarind chutney, and yogurt, then top with chiles, onions, tomatoes, and chaat masala.

To make delicious iced chai, finely grind the spices to extract their flavors, then simmer the spices and tea in milk to fully hydrate them.

This masala chai recipe highlights the bright, citrusy and fiery notes of fresh ginger.

This milky black tea mixes the sweet spiciness of dried ginger with piney-fruity-minty green cardamom and the brash, earthy heat of black pepper.

This omelet, with its rich, comforting, fiery gravy, is enjoyed for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Of course, you could also whip it up deep into the night, the time when most Goan partygoers looking for something to fuel their endless dancing sessions seek it out on the lively Goan streets.

Melty, cheesy, crunchy, spicy: These sandwiches, a street food favorite in India, check all the boxes.

Standing three tiers high, the magnificent Bombay sandwich is a whopper of a construction. It’s available on every street corner, and each stallholder obsesses over their own special blend of spices, vegetables, and chutneys, for that “better than yours” taste. Although it’s a wonder, it’s also a labor of love to make at home, and so in this recipe I’ve attempted to embody its spirit—a sharp, hot green chutney, cheese, and onion—but in a pastry roll that can be made in just minutes.