These buns are a healthier take on the addictive deep-fried Mangalorean banana puris that locals line up for at breakfast time. They’re not as sweet as you’d imagine, but perfectly sweet enough. Makes 8 2 cups all-purpose flour¾ teaspoon dried yeastsalt2½ tablespoons...

These crispy fermented rice and lentil pancakes are more than just pancakes, they are one of India’s most celebrated national treasures. They’ve got a lot going for them: crunchy, nicely tangy, and very versatile. The only downside is that they take about 48 hours to...

In Mysore there is a little shoebox of a restaurant called Mylari Dosa that serves just two things: dosa and chutney. It doesn’t sound like much, but this one is the master. After having gone back there a dozen times, I’ve tried as best as possible to replicate what I...

Despite being old enough to know better, I still shriek with delight in Indian restaurants when the waiter lowers the family-sized naan bread onto the table like a spacecraft landing. I particularly enjoy suddenly jostling into place as everyone tries to get the most...

The Malabar paratha is South India’s poster bread. Beautifully coiled, and flecked with charred golden spots, it manages to be flaky, crispy, soft, and fluffy all at once: perfect for peeling away layer by layer and dunking into a rich, creamy sauce. Make sure to...

This is a gift from Punjab to you and me and everyone we know. Use it wisely, preferably as the Punjabis do, with a steaming bowl of mustard leaf saag and a spoonful of freshly churned butter. I’ve broken with tradition by cutting these rotis with a large cookie...

Gujaratis are naturally suspicious of food cooked outside of the home, and will usually carry a stash of these when they travel, alongside a small but lethal tub of garlic and chile chutney. Unlike the daily chapati, which was designed to be a backdrop to more...