Vegetarian Indian-Inspired Recipes

Madhur Jaffrey shares the easiest way to cook basmati rice, also known as saaday basmati chawal. Salt is generally not added, as it is meant to be eaten with well-seasoned food, such as Jaffrey's Chicken with Roasted Coriander in Coconut-Curry Sauce.

The recipe for this cooling yogurt dish, also known as kheere ka raita, is courtesy of Madhur Jaffrey and can be served with all Indian meals, including Jaffrey's Chicken with Roasted Coriander in Coconut-Curry Sauce. It also makes an excellent snack.

Also known as dali saar, this recipe originally hails from the Chitrapur Saraswat Brahmins of Coastal Kannada and comes to us via Madhur Jaffrey. Saar means "juice" or "juice-like," so this dal tends to be very thin, and is meant to be eaten with rice. The cooking talents of brides used to be judged by their ability to make a simple dali saar.

The main ingredient in this good-for-you savory porridge is yellow mung dal, split mung beans that break down and thicken as they cook.

Golden cubes of tofu, sauteed with mustard and coriander seed, replace paneer cheese in this nod to the classic Indian dish.

This is a hearty Indian-style stew without meat but chock full of protein.

Inspired by Indian samosas, here’s an appetizer to feed a crowd and—most importantly—avoid a vat of oil. Store-bought puff pastry crisps up beautifully in the oven, and a mixture of cumin, mustard seeds, and coriander spices up a basic potato and broccoli filling. The pastry is formed into a long rectangular package so there is plenty of surface area for maximum crunch.

One pot, family-friendly, and under one hour? Sign us up for this flavorful recipe inspired by the Indian-American classic. This recipe can also be made with one pound of sliced skinless chicken breasts. Both variations pair well with a bright and juicy mango chutney.

The best part about making curry in a slow cooker? No stirring! Give it a couple of hours to thicken and to let the flavors meld, then add your favorite white fish 20 minutes before serving. This recipe appears in our cookbook "Martha Stewart's Slow Cooker" (Clarkson Potter).

Serve this potpie with raita, an Indian sauce made with plain tangy yogurt and diced cucumber, often served with spicy meals.

This fiber-rich, meatless, and low-sodium meal is delicious with rice or warm whole-wheat pitas.

In this Indian-inspired vegetarian main, top-notch jarred tomato sauce and canned lentils save hours of work. When chosen well, jarred tomato sauce can rival your own. The best ones include tomatoes and seasonings but are free of preservatives, sugar, and corn syrup.