10 Authentic Indian Recipes Your Dadi Never Wrote Down

7. Kadhi-Chawal — Yogurt-based curry that feels like home

Kadhi-chawal is the kind of evening comfort many grandmothers made when the household needed warmth and simplicity. Kadhi is a yogurt-and-chickpea-flour curry simmered until it thickens and then tempered with mustard seeds, curry leaves, and dried red chilies to add aroma. The balance of tangy yogurt and nutty besan is what makes it comforting, and many grandmothers kept the yogurt slightly on the tangier side for character. Served with plain rice, kadhi is everyday food, but a well-made kadhi carries subtle layers from the tempering and slow simmer. For North American cooks, use whole-milk yogurt for richness and whisk besan into water before adding to avoid lumps. If you’re wary of curdling, maintain a gentle simmer and stir often. Notes your dadi might have—always temper in hot oil to bloom the spices and add a few curry leaves for an authentic finish—are worth following. Simple, soothing, and deeply satisfying, kadhi-chawal is ancestral comfort on a plate.