Throughout India, a meal is not complete without some variation of this spice-tempered legume dish. Cumin and turmeric provide slightly bitter notes, but this dish has an overall salty-savory flavor. Split-pea spinach dal with cauliflower is more of a stew than a soup; for a thinner version, decrease the final simmering time.
Photo by: Photo: Karry Hosford
Combine 2 1/2 cups water, peas, and bay leaf in a large saucepan; bring to a boil. Reduce heat, and simmer, partially covered, 50 minutes or until tender. Add 1 cup water, cauliflower, and salt, and bring to a boil. Reduce heat, and simmer, uncovered, 20 minutes or until cauliflower is very tender, stirring occasionally. Remove from heat; discard bay leaf.
Heat butter and oil in a small skillet over medium-high heat until butter melts. Add onion, ginger, and garlic; sauté 3 minutes. Add cumin and next 5 ingredients (cumin through cloves); cook over low heat 2 minutes, stirring frequently. Add onion mixture to pea mixture. Simmer, uncovered, 15 minutes or until thick. Stir in spinach; cook 3 minutes or until spinach wilts.
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The salty stuffing is offset by the subtly cool sweetness of the zucchini. If you're sensitive to spicy foods, seed the chile. A small amount of chickpea flour, also called besan or graham flour, acts as a binder and provides a delicate nutty flavor. Look for it in Indian or Asain markets, or substitute whole wheat flour.
Photo by: Photography: Becky Luigart-Stayner; Styling: Lydia DeGaris-Pursell
Cut each zucchini in half lengthwise; scoop out pulp, leaving a 1/4-inch-thick shell. Place zucchini halves, cut sides up, in a shallow roasting pan. Sprinkle with 1/2 teaspoon salt.
Preheat oven to 375°.
Cook potato in boiling water 2 minutes or until crisp-tender; drain.
Heat butter and oil in a nonstick skillet over medium-high heat until butter melts. Add onion, ginger, garlic, and chile, and sauté 3 minutes. Stir in flour and next 4 ingredients (flour through cumin). Cook over medium-low heat 5 minutes, stirring frequently. Stir in 3/4 teaspoon salt, potato, peas, and cilantro.
Pat zucchini dry with paper towels; spoon about 1/3 cup potato mixture into each zucchini half. Cover and bake at 375° for 20 minutes or until zucchini is tender.
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A pachadi is a South Indian dish that falls somewhere between curry, salad, and condiment. This one is more like a chutney and goes well with the rice and dal. Fire-roasted tomatoes give the dish some smokiness. There's a bit of heat from the chiles, but the main flavors are sweet from the coconut and sugar and sour-cool from the yogurt.
Combine first 4 ingredients in a large saucepan; bring to a boil. Reduce heat, and simmer 20 minutes. Spoon into a bowl; cool to room temperature. Discard bay leaves.
While tomato mixture cools, heat oil in a small nonstick skillet over medium heat. Add mustard seeds and red chiles. Cook, partially covered, 3 minutes or until seeds begin to pop, shaking pan frequently. Cool and discard red chiles. Add mustard mixture, coconut, and serrano to tomato mixture. Stir in yogurt. Serve immediately.
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Sweet, sour, and cool sensations combine in this intoxicatingly perfumed dessert. Look for rose water and cardamon pods in natural-foods stores or Indian markets. If you can't find cardamom pods, substitute 1/8 teaspoon ground cardamom.
Cook lime slices in boiling water 1 minute; drain.
Combine 3/4 cup water, sugar, and cardamom in a medium saucepan. Bring to a boil; cook 1 minute or until sugar dissolves. Add lime slices to pan; reduce heat, and simmer 10 minutes. Remove from heat; let stand 1 hour. Discard cardamom pods.
Combine pineapple, raisins, and rose water in a large bowl. Pour lime mixture over pineapple mixture, and toss gently to combine. Cover and chill up to 24 hours. Serve with ice cream and pistachios.
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Savory Indian Feast
