If you love Indian food but think making it at home seems complicated, try this golden soup. The red lentils called for are available in most supermarkets, at Wild Oats, and other natural foods markets, and they cook quickly, so this soup is ready in 30 minutes. If you want this main-dish soup to pack heat, include some cayenne pepper along with its other aromatic spices. Vegetarians can use vegetable broth.
Fast Fact: The fennel in this spice blend rounds out its flavors and works as an aid to digestion
Quick Tip: To add even more vegetables to this a one-dish meal, mix in chopped spinach along with the tomatoes

Lentils are a wonderful source of protein, calcium, and iron. They are a staple ingredient in Indian cooking, and combine well with many different seasonings. You may be most familiar with brown or green lentils, but there are lentils out there in black, yellow, red and pink. Look for these more exotic varieties in Indian and specialty food stores. Similarly, not all curry powders are the same, ranging from quite mild to very hot. In making this side dish, start with a small amount and taste it to be sure your dish meets the comfort and taste level of your guests!

I took a fresh carrot and just cut it up into small dice.

I have seen this stuffed eggplant dish win converts; people who don’t like eggplant have requested seconds.