Dairy

It’s nothing fancy or complicated, simply a jumbo Brie wheel topped with sautéed apples and honey and wrapped in butter-brushed phyllo. But when baked, the combination of textures matched with apple and honey flavors fused with gooey Brie never fails to please a crowd.

While most baked Bries are on the sweet side, with layers of jam or chutney under the crust, this one goes savory with anchovies, garlic, and roasted bell peppers.

Think of this as something like savory s'mores.

Onions are the star of the show: sweet and lightly scented, in pride of place on a layer of light, puffy pastry and delicious crumbled blue cheese.

In this fun and easy Diwali snack, spiced potatoes, cheddar, and cilantro are encased in pastry, then baked until crisp and golden brown.

Paneer is marinated in a creamy herb and garlic yogurt marinade, then charred.

The filling of this tart reminds of me of the hot Mumbai summers when Mum would make mango shrikhand for us, with the beautiful fragrance of floral cardamom and saffron and the warm notes of nutmeg. Mango and ginger are a great pairing, so the base of the gingersnap crust pairs well with the silky smooth shrikhand filling in the tart. I love this tart and my kids love it too. It is so easy to make that it has become a regular in our home. It is definitely a showstopper for a party as well! It is.…

These no-bake bars are a cross between cheesecake and Klondike Bar. They're frozen and coated in a milk chocolate shell that hardens almost immediately.

This subtly spiced, sweet potato-based marvel borrows from the Basque cheesecake tradition. It's baked until its exterior is a deep copper, with a pale interior.

I am always in search of the best brownie, and I figure if you can’t find it, make it. So here it is: a triple chocolate brownie, with a layer of toasted chopped nuts encased in dulce de leche, then topped with a zesty cheesecake mixture and baked again. I rest my case.

Spicy, tangy, oh-so-melty-and-ooey-gooey—these chana masala fries hit on all levels. This particular spin on chana masala leans toward vegetarian chili, with a heavy dose of tomatoes and a kick from both Kashmiri chili powder and a couple serrano chiles. Some of the chickpeas are mashed part way through cooking to achieve a thick, spoonable texture akin to Cincinnati-style chili (read: not chunky or watery). Quick tip: If you’re strapped for time, feel free to use store-bought sweet potato fries)…

While the pork braises away in the slow cooker, use the oven to make creamy scalloped potatoes and the microwave to make lightening-fast steamed broccoli.

Sometimes all you need is just a couple of fresh ingredients thrown into a pan of simply seasoned dal to create a warming and comforting dish. The spinach along with a little yogurt makes this soothing yet deeply delicious.

Charred zucchini pairs particularly well with sharp flavors; here it’s matched by the deep savory notes of preserved-lemon paste and the tang of creamy feta.