Packed full of flavour and spice, ditch the takeaway this weekend and try whipping up one of these easy curry, naan bread or dessert recipes. From Anjum Anand's ultimate tarka dhal to spicy pakoras and some indulgent ice creams, these Indian recipes are sure to tempt you..
Mini paneer kathi rolls
Different places have their own versions and there are no strict rules: as long as a soft bread with a slight chew envelopes a fresh, hot, tangy lling with red onions for crunch, you are in the right zone and in for a treat. I make these often. They’re tasty, everyone loves them and they are easy to throw together. You can also substitute chicken for the paneer. If you are in a hurry, you can buy tortilla wraps and cut them in half, but homemade wraps are cheaper and tastier.
Tandoori cauliflower
The tandoor oven cooks some of the most flavourful dishes in India, but is often skewed towards meat eaters. One of the few concessions to the large vegetarian population is tandoori cauliflower. It will become your go-to appetizer for when you have friends round and don’t want to serve a lot of meat.
Vagharela bhaat
Vagharela Bhaat is simply stir-fried rice with peas or mixed vegetables, plus turmeric for that lovely yellow colour and lots of flavour. Swapping the rice for cauliflower is great if you want to cut out the carbs.
Layered lentil & sweet potato jars
Sweet potato and lentils make for a deliciously hearty combo, with a chutney or two to bring it to life and add that much-needed burst of flavour, along with the zing and crunch from the Maple Chillied Seeds. You can have this hot or cold, prepare a few for a picnic, or just carry it with you as an impressive packed lunch.
Masala chana chaat
Chaat is a wonderful, vibrant medley of textures and flavours, as popular on the streets of India as it is at large Indian weddings. This particular chaat doesn’t contain those extra crunchy fried bits, such as sev, that are traditionally mixed inside, but it’s brought to life with the masalas, a good balance of sweetness, saltiness and lime… and a pop of green chillies. Brown chickpeas (kala chana) are smaller and darker than standard chickpeas, but if you can’t find them, use chickpeas.
Butter chicken
Butter chicken has to be India’s favourite dish when eating out. It has sugar and spice, kick and texture, creamy unctiousness and bite, all at the same time. This Vivek Singh recipe is the perfect Indian dish.
Spicy prawn pakoras
Pakoras typically consist of fish, meat or vegetables that are coated in a batter made from spiced gram flour and fried until golden brown. These prawn pakoras are especially delicious served with a spicy green or tomato and cucumber chutney.
Keralan potato curry
In India, the potato is properly respected, not just used for side dishes. Adding coconut milk creates a lovely mild, soothing dish. Eat this curry with boiled rice or Indian flatbread, mango chutney and a fresh relish of finely chopped tomato and onion, with wedges of lime.
Beef madras
Beautifully rich, spicy and comforting, this easy beef madras from Anjum Anand is deliciously creamy. Serve with pilaf or naan bread.
Fluffy spinach koftas in a creamy tomato curry
These tasty spinach koftas are light, fluffly and ever so tasty. Combined with the full-bodied, lightly spiced sauce, this will make the perfect weekend treat serve with pilaf or Naan bread.
Try Anjum Anand’s fluffy spinach koftas in a creamy tomato curry recipe
Spinach with black eyed peas
This simple dish is packed with fresh vegetables and protein. It's only lightly spiced, so as not to overpower the spinach, and goes well with rice, breads and a little yoghurt.
Best Ever Grilled Naan
Naan bread makes the perfect accompaniment to a curry and this tasty recipe is perfect topped with nigella or sesame seeds. Crispy on top and soft underneath, ditch the takeaway and make your own.
Lamb Massaman curry
Packed full of flavour and with a good kick of chilli, this lamb curry is a great alternative to a takeaway. If you’re short on time, you can substitute all the different herbs for a good Massaman paste (available in most supermarkets), but remember to include some extra garlic, ginger and lime leaves for added depth.
Aloo Gobi
Packed full of spices, this cauliflower and potato curry makes a great dish for vegetarians. It is also delicious after a night in the fridge and topped with some chopped coriander.
Tarka Dhal
This is a classic curry recipe; it is absolutely wonderful and easy to make and perfect for vegetarians. Tarka simply refers to the few ingredients fried up and stirred in at the end; most Indian lentil dishes are made this way.
Beetroot Samosas
We always expect samosas to be savoury, but in this unusual recipe, a sugared sweetness breaks through the earthiness of the beetroot, while the ricotta cheese gives a lovely richness.
19 of our favourite dinner party recipes
Our favourite dinner party dessert recipes
The best winter cocktail recipes
5 ways to bring Italian flair to your dinner