155 masala recipes

South Indian green pepper curry with ground coconut, poppy seeds, turmeric, and coriander. A simple vegetarian curry with a fragrant masala paste and fresh cilantro.

Calcutta pasta sauce blends Indian spices with the Italian tomato sauce concept: cumin, garam masala, ginger, jalapeno, and yogurt for an exotic East-meets-West pasta topper. Curry-style sauce.

Layered chicken biryani with yogurt-marinated chicken, garam masala, fried onions, and basmati rice tempered with whole cloves, cinnamon, and cumin seeds. Fragrant, spiced, and deeply satisfying.

Spicy fish pickle: crisp fried fish simmered in a tangy, chili-spiked vinegar masala, then stored to mellow into a fiery South Indian condiment for rice and roti.

Bhindi masala with deep-fried okra, golden onions, tomatoes, and turmeric. This Indian okra recipe eliminates sliminess by frying the okra crisp before finishing with spiced onions and tomatoes.

A fantastic rice dish; eat with my Chicken Masala (posted separately) or whatever takes your fancy. A lot of spices and herbs to assemble but the cooking is very easy.

Indian-style fresh kachumber: tomato, red onion, fresh chili, and ginger tossed with lemon juice and salt. The crisp, tangy 5-minute side dish for channa masala, dal, or aloo parathas.

Indian eggplant curry with peas and cilantro: a vegan dry-fry baingan masala built on tempered mustard and cumin seeds, turmeric, and cayenne. Soft, almost buttery eggplant served over rice, topped with bright green peas.

Pears Melba with Bosc pears poached in Marsala and dry wine syrup, served over vanilla ice cream with pureed raspberry sauce. A classic French dessert with elegant simplicity.

Silky pureed chestnut soup with roasted chestnuts, herbs, and a splash of marsala or sherry. Serve it hot for winter warmth or chilled for an elegant summer starter.

Traditional Sicilian cannoli with wine-spiked fried shells and a chilled ricotta filling scented with cinnamon, vanilla, and candied citrus peel. Topped with glace cherries and powdered sugar.