Dinner Tonight: Chana Masala

[Photograph: Blake Royer] Chana masala, more than anything else, speaks to the wondrous things Indian cuisine can do with vegetables. I don't think any other cuisine can make dishes as hearty, rich, filling, and, well, meaty with nary an animal...

Indian Spiced Chickpea Gravy (Chole)

Chole, Indian chickpea curry, is a wonderful side or main. It's usually eaten with deep fried bread or with a steaming hot plateful of white rice.

Chana Dal (Bengal Gram)

This simple, gluten-free, high-fiber Chana Dal (or bengal gram) is an excellent vegetarian and potentially vegan spiced Indian lentil dish. It's easy to make, hearty, and satisfying.

Chicken tikka masala

Chicken Tikka Masala - a tender, grilled chicken simmered in a rich, creamy tomato sauce infused with aromatic spices. Delicious!

Masala Chai

You can adjust this chai recipe to your own personal taste and preference. The ratio of milk to water (or indeed, choice to use cow's milk at all) is perhaps the biggest variable, followed by choice and amount of sweetener. Start with an easy recipe like this, and then adjust to emphasize the qualities you like best in your masala chai.

Chickpea, Coconut, and Cashew Curry

This 30-minute curry is intense with garam masala and ginger cooled by coconut milk and ground toasted cashews.

Easy Pressure Cooker Chicken and Chickpea Masala

With the help of a pressure cooker, you can heave tender, gently spiced chicken that tastes like it's been simmering all day in a creamy sauce flavored with ginger, garlic, and cumin. Chickpeas and spinach make this a complete meal.

Punjabi Dal Makhani

Dal makhani is an extremely popular North Indian vegetarian curry dish of lentils and beans in a spicy and creamy sauce, often made for special occasions.

Rajma chawal

This is a creamy vegetarian Indian curry. Don't let the amount of ingredients scare you, it's mainly spices and it makes this curry absolutely delicious!

Chicken Tikka Masala

After marinating your chicken in Indian spices it takes less than 30 minutes to cook this quick and easy but thoroughly delicious Indian Chicken Tikka Masala