When you season with Indian flavors, you are taking your vegetables to the next level of tasty. There is so much you can do to make the lowly vegetable as your main course.
Making vegetables into an Indian Curry or similar is one of the best flavors and methods. However, curry is not the only way to eat vegetables.
Vegetarianism is actually quite common in India, so you know that they have a ton of great recipes!
This is due to the religion they practice. However, just because they do not eat meat, does not mean the foods are not filling, savory and satisfying.
1. Saag Paneer
This dish utilizes cumin seeds and honestly, that is what makes this recipe so when you add the fried paneer, some tomato sauce along with cream to make this completely balanced, you will have the perfect dish of greens.
I have tried a variety of versions of Saag Paneer, this one is my favorite. It is super easy to make and the flavors are perfect. Many versions use different forms of greens, Palak would be Spinach that is used.
2. Dahi Bhindi
Within this dish you will find okra, red chili and green chili. A variety of spices that turn this from not much to wow!
There are also tomatoes, onion and garlic along with turmeric, cumin and fresh ginger. Yogurt is mixed in to make this a touch creamy and smooth. If at all possible, I suggest going to an authentic Indian Market to pick up the ingredients. Y
ou will find them authentic and not just labeled as authentic.
3. Palak Dal
Lentils with Spinach is the name for what this is. Personally, I prefer this with Sweet Potato, as well as diced red pepper.
A blend of Indian spices makes this dish special. Mixed with red lentils and scooped up with flatbread, this dish is truly amazing! However, this dish can be eaten with rice as well.
It is very simple to prepare this dish and everyone I know absolutely loves it. Give this one a try and tell me I am wrong.
4. Hesarubele Carrot Kosambari
This dish is also known as Moong dal Carrot Salad and is from the South India region. This dish is made as part of every festive celebration and in between also.
The dish includes grated coconut and grated carrot. A blend of red chilis, curry leaves and hing tie all the flavors together and make it one of those foods that everyone loves.
This salad can be eaten as is or with some steamed rice. Be sure to soak the Moong dal for a small amount of time beforehand.
5. Paneer Tikka Skewers
Classic skewers in a vegetarian Indian flavor. Cubes of paneer layered with sweet peppers and onions. All of which has been marinated in a blend of yogurt and warm spices.
The Kashmiri red chili is a must add spice to this dish and it has a lovely warm red coloring.
This recipe comes from the Northern region and includes just a perfect amount of heat from the spices. This should be served with a warm chutney to make it even more perfect than it is.
6. Jeera Rice Recipe
This recipe is simple and very quick to make Jeera Rice. This can be made restaurant style or homestyle.
Cumin is known as Jeera, and this is what makes the rice delicious. This rice that is flavored with cumin can be eaten as is, or as an accompaniment to gravy or other Indian dishes.
This recipe calls for using Basmati rice, which in my opinion is the best for any rice dish.
7. Jeera Aloo
Also known as Spiced Cumin Potatoes is a dish that comes from North India. This dish is generally served with Rice, roti or lentils.
The unique combination of spices gives the potatoes a delicious flavor and makes them savory. With no need for precooking, this dish is perfect for the beginner cook to make.
Chopped or ground tomatoes can be added, or use a tomato puree. A key to the success of this dish is to temper the spices before they are added.
8. Punjabi Chole Masala
Indian Chickpea Curry is a dish that is enjoyed everywhere. Chickpeas are part of a healthy eating lifestyle so this recipe is the perfect addition to any household.
This is truly a very simple dish that includes Chickpeas, onions and tomatoes, then a mix of Indian spices to create a dish that is tasty and memorable.
It is one of the most popular Indian curries made in North India. In India, this is a must have dish for celebrations, and is also considered a comfort food.
9. Malai Kofta
To put it simply , these are North India potato dumplings that are served with a tomato curry that is spiced and comforting.
The dish is actually more of a fried potato dumpling in a delicious curry sauce. This is a recipe that will easily rival any Restaurant style of Gourmet Malai Kofta. These curried potato dumplings should be served with Butter Naan, rice or whatever you choose.
I have seen many people make the dumplings and have them gone before the curry is ready. The curry makes this a truly luxurious meal.
10. Bhindi Masala
This dish is an air fried okra curry. It is an easier and healthier version of the South Region of India version. It could be considered the Indian version of a Stir Fry.
This is somewhat of a drier version however. Okra is obviously best when fresh, but frozen could also be used in this recipe.
You know that the okra is ripe and ready when you cut it and it has a slimy feel.
11. Instant Pot Ven Pongal
This is a simple and classic South Indian breakfast recipe. This breakfast dish is made with rice and yellow moong lentils that are cooked in ghee.
Adding a few select Indian spices to make this a classic hearty and spicy porridge. This meal is light on the stomach, very comforting and very easy to prepare. This dish is actually one that can be fed to infants and toddlers also.
There is also a sweet version of this made with jaggery.
12. Mixed Vegetable Pakoras
Crispy mixed vegetable pakoras are vegetarian and gluten free. These are fritters that are deep fried and served with chutney.
This dish is actually one of Pakistan and India’s most popular street foods. It is a popular fritter recipe and is a favorite snack for anytime.
You can use a variety of vegetables or use the ones in the recipe, either way, this is a dish that you will enjoy. This dish starts with a chickpea and flour batter.
13. North Indian Style Cauliflower and Lentil Dal
With a dish like this, it is easier to eat much more vegetables in your daily diet. This dish is sure to become one of your favorites once you try it.
This is made with onions, cauliflower, vegetable broth, tomato puree, and baby spinach. With an assortment of warm Indian spices, this dish will warm your tummy and your soul.
This recipe is delicious and very easy to make. It is versatile, so that you can add whichever vegetable is in season.
14. Red Lentil Soup with Chickpeas
This dish is spicy and filling, a vegan red lentil dish with Chickpeas, carrots and spinach. This is a soup that simmers slowly with a mix of spices.
The smoky paprika gives a slight kick. This is a classic vegan dish that is also a top comfort food. The spices work in combination to give this soup a personality that will stick with you all day.
You will feel a spicy warmth even on the cold days of winter.
15. Frankies
This dish also goes by the name Bombay Burritos. These truly are flavorful Indian burritos that are filled with mashed potatoes, chickpeas, cauliflower spinach, pickled onions and a fabulous chutney flavored with mint and cilantro.
This is another popular Indian street food. These frankies are healthy and filling, filled with flavor that will not leave you wanting something else.
These little treasures can be considered versatile, as they can also be eaten as tacos, or placed in a bowl and eaten that way.
16. Air Fryer Samosa Recipe
There are numerous foods that could be considered a universal favorite. A food that is so versatile it can be used with hundreds of variations and combinations.
Simply put, This recipe involves Samosas which are little portions of pastries that are filled with different ingredients. In this case, the recipe is for vegetarian meals.
These Samosas can be savory or spicy. Most often you will find the Samosa filled with potatoes, onion, peas and garlic, with an assortment of other spices.
17. Chaat Dip
This is an Indian layered Party dip that is made with thick yogurt, chutney and Sev. It is then served with crispy papdi, or pani puri shells.
This is basically a deconstructed Chaat that makes it so much easier for a group to share.
Serving this as a dip can save you from any problem of possibly ending up with soggy Chaat. We all know that this is embarrassing, so why not save yourself the embarrassment.
18. Brinjal Bhaji
This is a recipe for a quick and easy to make Brinjal Bhaji that you can serve as either a main dish or as a vegetable side along with curries, rice or breads.
This is rich and delicately spiced as a Aubergine curry that is positively delicious and is sure to become a favorite among your family.
It does not take long to make a dish this spectacular that is also healthy and tasty, and vegetarian to boot.
19. Spicy Caribbean Mango Chutney
This condiment is super easy to make and enjoyed by all who try it. This chutney can be used as a dip for chips, a spread for crackers and bread, or as a topping on your favorite salads.
The chutney does not have to be used on just Indian foods. It is delicious in all cuisines. The Spicy Caribbean Mango Chutney is excellent when used with all sorts of meats too.
This is a combination of scotch bonnet peppers, unripe mangoes, garlic and other spices.
20. Naan Bread With Garlic, Coriander and Cumin Butter
Naan bread is a form of flat, yeast leavened bread that is often used to soak up all the flavors and curry from a dish.
Personally, I love Naan bread with just the special butter made with Coriander, Cumin and Garlic. This is a home made, traditional Naan bread that can be used for any number of dishes.
You can change up the flavors by changing the spices that you use in the flavored butter. This is best when you drizzle the butter over the top of the Naan.
21. Tendli Bhaat
This is a traditional rice dish that can be made in the Instant Pot or on the stove top. It is made with Ivy Gourd and Goda Masala. T
his dish is perfect as a one pot dish for either lunch or breakfast. A must have spice blend to use for this dish is Goda Masala. It is a unique blend of spices to give it one of the best flavors and aromas that I have ever tasted for the Indian foods I make.
I use this for many of the dishes.
22. Kala Chana Masala
Kala Chana Masala is a traditional North Indian side dish that is often made with just a small amount of gravy. This is packed with protein by way of Black Chickpeas.
These are smaller than the normal white chickpeas, and have a slightly nuttier flavor than its counterpart. Although this dish is easy to prepare, you do need to soak the Kala Chana overnight.
It is a tasty dish and is most often prepared without the garlic and onion during the festive season.
23. Dishoom’s Gunpowder Potatoes
Gunpowder potatoes make a wonderful side dish. It is quite popular in most Indian Restaurants.
Made with new potatoes, or baby potatoes, this side dish, which can also be used as a main dish, is slightly spicy, truly delicious and will keep you coming back for more.
They are not overly spicy where they chase you away, however, it is made with two of the most popular ingredients of Indian cooking. This dish works best when the potatoes are parboiled slightly.
24. Chewy Vegan Chai Spiced Cookies
Finally a dessert that we can all enjoy. There is nothing like a slightly sweet, slightly spiced taste together.
These are like a combination of Oatmeal cookies combined with Masala Chai. A truly unique, yet delicious treat.
These are actually so healthy that they could be eaten as a breakfast food, as well as a snack or treat. It is always a win when you make a cookie that can also be considered breakfast.
Where does it state that healthy food must taste bad? Definitely not in this recipe.
25. Vada Pav
These are truly delectable Indian Spiced Potato Sliders. When you come across a recipe as tantalizing as this one, it is hard to not enjoy the flavor and the ease with which you can make this dish.
This recipe is actually a spin-off of one of the most traditional street foods available in Mumbai. This slider is a Goan style white roll filled with a crispy potato patty, seasoned with hot and sweet chutney, along with a garlic, chili coconut salsa type chutney.
Truly delectable.
26. Butter Cauliflower
This is an Indian styled version of Chicken. For me it was more of a battered cauliflower, with a hint of spice.
Accompanied by a plate based curry, this dish is one to be remembered. This vegan cauliflower is a take on another recipe that is much loved. That would be Chicken Tikka Masala.
However, I needed a vegetarian dish that tasted just as good. Not only is this a tasty and easy to prepare meal, it can be done in less than a half hour of your time.
27. Healthy Chivda Recipe
This is a version of the classic Indian Snack Mix, but this one is made in a healthier way. This Healthy Chivda Recipe is oven baked, not fried.
There are the classic sweet and savory flavors in the mixture that manages to keep you guessing as to what exactly the flavor is.
This mixture is easily customized by adjusting the spices to your liking. There are varieties that different families make that use different types of ingredients.
However they are all usually a combination of sweet and savory.
28. Baked Katori Chaat
Using Phyllo dough, you are going to be able to fill these great cups with any of the ingredients you choose.
This recipe for Baked Katori Chaat is one of those easy to make, and great to eat and enjoy.
This recipe is a great appetizer that makes enough to feed a crowd. The normal Chaat would be made by using grated potatoes, Phyllo is a great way to change up the way it is made and the way it tastes.
29. Rukmini Iyers Murukku Recipe
By using Chickpea and Rice flour, this Murukka is a delicious snack that is perfect for Diwali or other special events and occasions.
This recipe has been passed down through the generations and is something that I make quite often for my family. It is a staple at special events in our home.
There is a special tool that is used for these, however, these can be made by using a cookie press with a star shaped end.
30. Thandai Phirni
Phirni is truly a classic Indian dessert, and Thandai Phirni is a version of the same but is made with a Thandai Spice combination.
The basic dessert is made with Rice, sugar and milk. The blend of spices is what will make this dessert a great dessert.
The dessert can be made in advance, as long as it is kept refrigerated. Made with rice and dried fruits, this dessert will be much loved among family and friends.