chiggy's Profile

5 spices/50 dishes is nice as are the madhur jaffrey books. Balbir Singhs Indian Cooking is next level and way more authentic once you've built up the skills.

Indian food is highly regional and seasonal…pick an area you would like to play in. Punjabi and Gujurati veg cuisine can be handled more easily than sound indian veg (but I’m north indian, veg and biased :-))

Have a grill? I’m cooking a few things this weekend for some family from some choices below. Since its summer, I would try to keep the dishes on the lighter side (sort of).

1. Corn on the cob – roasted, served with melted butter, salt, hot ground red pepper and lime juice

2. Paneer tikka – make marinade of a tandoori curry and yogurt, marinate paneer chunks and skewer with red onions and red peppers – cook on grill, turn until all sides are nice and roasty. You can do this under a broiler or in a toaster oven.

3. Chana masala – the SK recipe is nice. I would suggest that after you add the tomatoes, cook on low until the oil separates from the curry and the mix looks “glistening”. Takes 20-30 minutes but its important. This is hearty, but a winter recipe.

4. Yellow dal – do the SK one. If you want to add a bit of a south indian twist, do the tadka with oil, mustard seeds, chopped hot pepper (Serrano or jalapeno in the US), curry leaves (optional); add this mix to the dal and squeeze a LOT of lemon juice on top.

5. Roasted aloo gobi in a pan on closed grill (or oven at 425 x 45min): marinade of yogurt, oil, hot ground pepper, roasted and crushed cumin, salt (a lot, marinade should taste salty), ground coriander, crushed garlic cloves, black pepper, turmeric; mix this with florets of cauliflower, peeled chunks of russets, large slices of red onion – the marinade should not drown the veg…almost a light coat. Serve with chopped cilantro and lemon squeeze

6. I'm planning a braised broccolini with indian spices to serve with the paneer...have never done this.

7. Raita

8. Pataks hot lime chutney….love this….a lot.

9. Buy frozen Deep brand naan or garlic kulcha.

Email if you have any questions or specifics are needed. Be patient…you’ll do great.