Indian

Make ahead: Cook curry up to 2 days ahead. Cover, then refrigerate. Add a little water when reheating, if needed. Note

Use chicken thigh fillets. You’ll need to cook 1 1/3 cups basmati rice. Use a 250g packet microwave rice; heat as packet directs, then cool slightly. Note

To prevent bamboo skewers scorching during cooking, soak them in cold water for 20 minutes before using. Note

You can prepare the meatballs up to 2 days ahead. Cover, then refrigerate, until ready to use. Japanese or small eggplant is available at selected grocery stores. But if unable to find, you can use regular eggplant, sliced lengthwise. Use leftover dried red lentils in soups and casseroles, and the curry paste in stir-fries or […]

You’ll need to cook about 1 cup of rice. Note

Smoked paprika is in the spice aisle. Note

You can buy quinoa in the health food aisle. Note

Instead of steaming potato, cook in the microwave on High (100%) in 1-minute bursts until tender. Note

This butter chicken recipe is perfect when you are looking for a quick mid-week curry. Garnish with coriander and serve with naan bread to help bring the taste of India into your home!

You can use regular or lactose-free milk instead. Note

This tasty pork green curry features a delicious and authentic coconut and lime flavoured sauce. Best served with steamed rice then topped with green onions and coriander garnish.

Ghee can be used in place of oil and butter. Potato and onion chapatti make delicious pre-dinner snacks. Note

You’ll need to buy 2 packets of chapati (6 per packet). Firmly wrap remaining chapati in plastic wrap. Freeze for later use. Note

If liked, use a store-bought butter chicken flavour base and omit the spices. Garam masala is a combination of dried spices, usually including coriander seeds, cumin seeds, black peppercorns, cardamom seeds, cinnamon sticks, whole cloves and grated nutmeg. Note

You can make this with inexpensive chuck or gravy beef, or try minced pork or beef – the cooking time will be shorter with mince. Note

Warm naan following packet instructions or on a char-grill (lightly oil, to prevent sticking). Note

To save time, leave out the pastry base and spoon chicken mix into dishes, then top with puff pastry. Note

Toast rolls on char-grill plate, cut-side down, for 30 seconds, or until light grill marks appear. Note

Sausage and broccoli dhal brought to you by Woman's Day

For hard-boiled eggs, place cold eggs in a saucepan of cold water. Bring to the boil on medium, then simmer 4-5 minutes. Cool under cold, running water. Peel and quarter. These are delicious in burgers. Note

For spiced rice, fry 1 teaspoon mustard seeds, 2 crushed cardamom pods and 1/2 teaspoon curry powder in 1 tablespoon oil. Mix in 3 cups cooked jasmine rice and heat through. Note

Give new life to the traditional lamb roast with Indian spices and rice

These pakoras with coriander raita are incredibly versatile. Serve them with pre-dinner drinks at your next dinner party, or as an after school snack filled with flavour and goodness.

Paratha is a flatbread that originated in the Indian subcontinent. It can be served with curry, or as we've done here, stuffed with a delicious spicy potato filling and eaten as a snack.

There is nothing quite like the aroma of this beef and vegetable curry simmering on the stove, except perhaps the satisfaction of having made it yourself from scratch.

A marriage made in heaven, blending hearty prawns and salmon with tomatoes and a brown rice mixture coated in garlic and onion flavour. Great for a dinner party with friends or a wholesome family meal

This is a mild curry, perfect for those starting out in the world of curries. Sandwiched between the Middle East and the Indian subcontinent, Afghanistan’s food has been influenced by the cuisines of all the countries in these areas. In this recipe, its Iranian and Turkish influences are shown by the addition of nutmeg and […]

A good curry just isn't complete with a hearty serve of that classic Indian bread, naan. Kalonji, which may also be called nigella, refers to small black seeds grown on Kalonji bushes, which are grown widely through India.

Raita is a traditional condiment from the subcontinent commonly served alongside curries. The coolness of the raita ingredients compliments the spice beautifully. It can also be served on its own, as a dip.

There are countless versions of dhal, all equally healthy and delicious. Try our warming pumpkin and eggplant version for a hearty meat-free meal. Serve with Indian flatbread to mop up every bite.

This tandoori salmon pilaf is a healthy and delicious Indian inspired family meal. The fragrant spices of the tandoori are perfectly balanced alongside the fresh and creamy raita.

Indian chai is a milky tea flavoured with various spices that has become increasingly popular throughout the world. The spices used vary from region to region and we think this recipe has the perfect, fragrant balance.

Koshumbir, sometimes spelled koshambir, is a fresh shredded vegetable salad that is served in India alongside curries. Note

Quick, easy and delicious Indian-style chicken tikka stir-fry from Australian Women's Weekly.

Be aware that chapatis need to be cooked over a flame to achieve the blistered appearance. Note

Kitchari, an ancient Indian dish, is often eaten to detoxify the body, and is believed to aid digestion. This delicious recipe is packed full of nutrients and flavour you'll love.

This spicy masala marinade recipe works beautifully for all kinds of seafood, including prawns. Serve with pappadums for extra flash.

Lusciously spiced and visually stunning, this dessert deserves a very special occasion on which to shine.

This deliciously sweet dried fruit chutney goes perfectly on sandwiches, with roast meat, or on the side of a spicy Indian curry.

Garam masala literally means “blended spices” in its northern Indian place of origin; it is based on varying proportions of cardamom, cinnamon, clove, coriander, fennel and cumin, roasted and ground together. Black pepper and chilli can be added for a hotter version. Note

You need half a large barbecued chicken (approximately 500g) to get the amount of shredded meat required for this recipe. Note

Give your roast lamb rack an Indian flavour with this delicious and fragrant spice paste. You could also use it as a spice rub for any other kind of meat.

There's plenty of juice to mop up in this delicious vegetarian curry, we're not even sure it's not a soup. Serve with plenty of rice or naan bread to enjoy every last drop.

A lassi is a popular yoghurt based drink in the Indian subcontinent. You can vary the fruit according to the season and your preference and sweeten with honey if you prefer.

Spiced tandoori chicken with a delicious pomegranate raita from Australian Women's Weekly.

If you don’t have a slow cooker, simmer on a low heat, covered, in a large heavy-based saucepan on the stove top for approximately 1 hour. Note

A slow-cooked butter chicken topped with ricotta and coriander leaves. Serve with steamed basmati rice and warm naan bread, if you like

This is also a great family meal served with rice or bread. The tandoori paste is found in the Asian section of the supermarket. Serve the salad in an airtight container that fits inside the lunchbox with a freezer block. Put the dressing into a smaller container to be put on the salad (or dunked into) at lunchtime – if it's put on in the morning, it will become soggy. If your kids are little gourmets, throw a wedge of lemon in as well.

Khitcherie, a classic Indian rice and lentil dish, was anglicised by the Raj to make that English breakfast staple, kedgeree. Commercial garam masala, found in some supermarkets, can be used instead of making our recipe. Note

low GI Note

For a filling, delicious family meal, try this Indian inspired chicken curry with a twist.

Whip out the pressure cooker and make this exquisite curry in no time at all.

Mildly spiced tandoori chicken salad with pappadums and hot mango chutney.

This is a mild curry. For more heat, serve curry with some sliced fresh red chilli to sprinkle as desired. You can serve this curry with naan bread and plain yoghurt, if desired. Suitable to freeze at the end of step 1. Note

This particular version is Pakistani in origin, with a nod to India in its choice of spices. Garam masala is a mixture of assorted aromatic spices used in kitchens throughout the subcontinent. It is available in some supermarkets if you don’t have time to make our recipe. Note

These make a tasty after school snack with a good hit of calcium. Or, you could serve them alongside your weekly curry; add chopped mint for a fresh Indian flavour.

For an easy vegetarian meal, try this delicious coconut curry with pumpkin and butter beans.

Bhaji is a classic Indian snack similar to a fritter; it has several variants and is sometimes known as pakora. Onion based bhaji is very popular, but we've used zucchini and carrot here. Served with mango chutney, they're divine.

If you have an electric pressure cooker you won’t need to reduce the heat to stabilise pressure, your cooker will automatically stabilise itself. Always check with the manufacturer’s instructions before using. This is a hot curry. If you prefer a milder version, reduce the amount of pepper and chilli. You can also serve it with […]

For a more fragrant dhal, add 6 fresh curry leaves with the split peas. Any leftover curry leaves can be frozen, then used directly from the freezer as you need them.

Walnut adds crunch and body to this yoghurt based mint and coriander chutney, it's delicious served on the side of a curry.

The filling for these can be made and the poppadoms cooked ahead of time. Then simply assemble them just prior to serving.

For a more intense flavour, marinate the chicken for 3 hours or overnight. Any leftover chicken, salad and yoghurt can be refrigerated separately then served in a wrap or tortilla the next day. We used large plain pappadums here, but there are many sizes and flavour combinations to choose from. Note

These delicious homemade Indian-spiced prawn skewers are the perfect finger food to serve to dinner party guests.

Ready-made rogan josh curry paste is available from most supermarkets; adjust the amount according to taste. Note

Kachumber is an Indian salad consisting of fresh chopped tomatoes, onions, if you like, chilli peppers.

Spicy, fragrant and delicious lentil and pumpkin vindaloo from Australian Women's Weekly.

In Indian cooking terms, masala literally means ground or blended spices but, informally, has come to mean a “mix” or “mixture”; a masala can be whole or ground spices, a paste or powder, or a sauce-like curry incorporating solid elements. Banana chillies, also known as wax chillies or hungarian peppers, are almost as mild as […]

Mint raita, yoghurt recipe, brought to you by Australian Women's Weekly

You can use a 300ml carton of cream in this recipe. Note

Dhal and paneer vegetable curry, cheese recipe, brought to you by Australian Women's Weekly

This recipe serves 4 as a vegetarian main meal with rice, but you can also serve it as part of an Indian banquet to serve 8. Okra, also known as lady fingers, is a green, ridged, oblong pod with a furry skin. While native to Africa, this vegetable is used in Indian, Middle-Eastern and southern […]

This chutney is very intense, so use sparingly. Note

Fragrant tandoori lamb, cooked to perfect pinkness, accompanied with a fresh and healthy sambal makes an easy and complete, low carb meal.

A healthy and organic dhal with ginger, zucchini, carrot from Australian Women's Weekly.

A colourful and fragrant Indian-style chicken salad from Australian Women's Weekly.