A Beginner's Guide to Indian Food

While Indian food is known for its intense, fragrant, and earthy flavor profiles, there are also a lot of sweet flavors to counterbalance the spices. Kheer is "Indian rice pudding with saffron and cardamom," says Chauhan. Hers is served up as a sundae at the restaurant, with cashew toffee ice cream, but the basic traditional style is just as yummy.

Get the recipe: chawal kheer