Vegetarian Indian-Inspired Recipes

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Plain Basmati Rice

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.

Yogurt with Cucumber and Mint

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.

Toovar Dal

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.

Kitchari

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.

Indian-Spiced Tofu with Wilted Spinach and Yogurt

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

Red Lentil and Sweet Potato Stew

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

Shrimp Tikka Masala

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.

Slow-Cooker Indian-Style Fish Curry

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).

Samosas with Potatoes and Peas

Our homage to the savory Indian pastries calls for a cumin-studded dough and a hearty potato-and-pea filling. Serve fresh out of the fryer with a duo of homemade chutneys.

Curry-Yogurt Dressing

Yogurt thickens this vibrant dressing and tempers its spices. Making your own spice blend yields the best flavor. But in a pinch, substitute 2 teaspoons store-bought curry powder.

Quick Chickpea Curry

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

Quick Curried Lentils in Tomato Sauce

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.

Inspiration and Ideas

Indian Eggplant (Bharta)

Serve with cooked rice or even better, warmed naan or other flatbread for scooping. This Indian vegetarian eggplant recipe doubles easily if you're serving a crowd or just love leftovers.

Tandoori Fried Chicken

Instead of cooking the chicken in a traditional tandoor oven, we pan-fried ours in a cast-iron skillet. Cool off with a side of cucumber spears and a salad of red onion, mint, and cilantro for a flavorful dinner.

Spicy Indian Chickpeas

Roasted Eggplant and Tomatoes

Potatoes with Sesame Seeds

Golden Dal with Gingered Tomatoes

Stir-Fried Carrots with Coconut

This simple dish, also known as carrot poriyal, complements most Indian meals. Leftovers can be added to salads. Urad dal are small lentils that have been skinned and split; they can be found at Indian markets or kalustyans.com. This recipe is courtesy of Madhur Jaffrey.

All Vegetarian Indian-Inspired Recipes

Indian-Spiced String Beans

Serve these spicy string beans with our Shrimp in Coconut Curry.

Basmati Rice with Onion and Ginger

Try serving this aromatic side dish with Tandoori Chicken Kebabs.

Simple Vegetable Curry

This warmly spiced dish is quick and satisfying. Who knew vibrant flavor could be such a cinch? Try adding cubed extra-firm tofu or chicken breast along with the vegetables if you like.

Spinach Sauteed With Indian Spices

This side dish has all the flavors of traditional Indian cooking.

Broccoli-and-Potato "Samosa" Pie

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.

Cardamom-Coconut Rice

Mild and creamy coconut milk mellows this spice-infused side dish.

Curry Oil

Vegetable Biryani

This traditional Indian casserole is made with basmati rice and chickpeas.

Cucumber Raita

This cooling condiment is ideal with Indian meals like our Tandoori-Style Chicken.

Curried Eggs

Serve this easy-to-prepare dish right from the pan: Cut it into wedges, and spoon a little of the piquant sauce over each piece. The garnish of cilantro and chopped chiles adds color and heat.

Spiced Potatoes and Onions

This side dish packs heat and pairs nicely with our Tandoori-Style Chicken.

Cooked Basmati Rice

This wonderful recipe for cooked basmati rice has been adapted from "Martha Stewart's Cooking School" and can be used in the recipe for Chicken Curry.

Tikka Masala Paste

Use this traditional Indian paste to make chef Jamie Oliver's Chicken Tikka Masala.Photo credit: David Loftus and Chris Terry

Spiced Indian Shrimp

Transform marinara into an Indian-style simmer sauce for shrimp with the help of garam masala, fresh ginger, and scallions. Serve atop steamed couscous for a quick yet satisfying weeknight dinner.

Tomato Rice

We love the scent of the curry leaves in this southern Indian-style dish; they are available fresh and frozen.

Giant Roasted Carrots

Large carrots take center stage in this side dish, their size perfect for sustaining the high heat of roasting. They won't shrivel and their nutrition profile is top-notch.

Indian-Spiced Bean-and-Tomato Soup

You can also simmer beans in a slow cooker after soaking them and adding aromatics.

Chopped Cucumber and Peanut Salad

Serve this cooling cucumber peanut salad with our Shrimp in Coconut Curry.

Red Lentil and Squash Curry Soup

Butternut squash and lentil soup is a simple light meal or a first course.

Curry Chickpea Potpie

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

Chapati

Use this chapati recipe from Sophie Herbert to make her healthy and flavorful Sprouted Moong Dal Salad.

Fresh Cilantro Chutney

Try serving this bright, spicy chutney, courtesy of Madhur Jaffrey, with her Chicken with Roasted Coriander in Coconut-Curry Sauce.

Spiced Potato Salad

An Indian simmer sauce adds big flavor to dishes like this potato salad.

Curried Red Lentil Soup with Dried Cherries and Cilantro

One of the world's oldest health foods, lentils are nutritional powerhouses. Their high protein and fiber content steadies blood sugar, staving off hunger. Create this Curried Red Lentil Soup with Dried Cherries and Clinatro for a tasty dish.

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