India is a vast and varied land, and not surprisingly, the variation and diversity is reflected in different styles and practices of cooking! Moreover, a significant proportion of the population being vegetarian, India has no equal in the field of vegetarian cooking. While changing times, there have been continuing changes in the kitchen size and its equipments on the one hand and in the taste and diet on other hand. This is naturally more pronounced in the urban areas where the housewife is hard-pressed for time, for space and for help. Elaborate cooking methods like those of the maharajas and used in mughlai and nawabi cuisines are just not practical anymore. Accordingly, my emphasis has been on simple recipes which can be prepared in reasonable time. Add whilst catering to the Indian weakness for rich dishes and sweets, I have borne in mind present day medical and nutritional advice and kept the extent of fats used in cooking to minimum. In this selection of desi recipes, I have tried to place before you dishes which are Indian but at the same time different from the usual run dishes which keep in mind the need of good health. Classic Indian recipes that you've always wanted to try, are listed in simple, easy to follow steps. Starting with appetizers to vegetables, dals, rice dishes, snacks and mouth watering muthias.