Here is a combination of two old and beloved legumes—whole mung beans, which originated in India, and whole red lentils, which came to India from the Arab world in ancient times—cooked together with seasonings used in North India today for meat dishes. Strangely...

Muslims in India rarely use asafetida in their cooking. They use garlic instead. Here is a simple, everyday dal that I cook frequently. All that is needed with it is rice or a flatbread, some yogurt raita, and a vegetable dish made with okra, cauliflower, or eggplant....

Full of nutrients and flavor, this dish can be served with any type of Indian bread and a yogurt relish. For a more Western-style meal, serve it with a simple green salad. SERVES 4–5 • 3 tablespoons olive or peanut oil • ½ teaspoon whole cumin seeds • 1 medium onion,...

This is almost a meal in itself, nutritionally complete if you add some whole-grain pita bread (or rice) and yogurt on the side. You could also convert it into a soup by adding a mugful of water or stock toward the end of the cooking time. SERVES 4–6 • 1⅓ cups green...

In India, rice is always served with something wet and flowing because it is considered too dry on its own. The exception is a rich biryani, but even that is offered with a raita and salads. The wetness deemed necessary could come from a curry with a sauce, a dal, or...