Name: Spinach in Yogurt Sauce
Cook time: 20 minutes
Total time: 20 minutes
Yield: Makes 6 servings (as part of a large meal)
Ingredients: 3 1/2 tablespoons vegetable oil, divided; 1/2 small onion, chopped; 1 pound spinach, coarse stems discarded and leaves finely chopped; 1 small fresh green chile, such as serrano, Thai, or jalapeño, slit lengthwise with stem end intact; 2 tablespoons water; Salt; 1 cup plain yogurt (not Greek-style); 1 teaspoon brown mustard seeds; 1 teaspoon cumin seeds; 1/8 teaspoon hot red pepper flakes; 10 fresh curry leaves (optional)

Image may contain Plant Furniture Dining Table Table Bowl Food Produce Meal Dish and Vegetable

Spinach in Yogurt SauceJohn Kernick

Pachadis are lightly cooked South Indian salads, often involving yogurt. This was my grandmother's recipe, and it remains a feature of my core repertoire because it's so simple and unusual at the same time. This recipe is part of our menu for Sadhya, a South Indian feast.

Cooks' Notes:

•Indian ingredients can be mail-ordered from Kalustyans.com.
•Chile can be removed during cooking when the dish is spicy enough for your taste.
•Spinach-yogurt mixture, without spiced oil, can be made 1 day ahead and chilled. Reheat before proceeding with recipe.

Recipe notes

Caramelized Onion Pasta

Turn humble onions into this thrifty yet luxe pasta dinner.

Béchamel Sauce

This classic 15-minute sauce is your secret weapon for homemade mac and cheese, chowder, lasagna, and more.

Butternut Squash–Kale Salad With Roasted Garlic Vinaigrette

Round out these autumn greens with tart pomegranate seeds, crunchy pepitas, and a shower of Parmesan.

London Fog Brownies

Yes, brownies can—and should—be made with white chocolate.

Mascarpone Cheesecake

An extra-silky filling (no water bath needed!) and a smooth sour cream topping make this the ultimate cheesecake.

Crème Anglaise

The silky French vanilla sauce that goes with everything.

Classic French Bouillabaisse With Rouille

This flexible recipe is all you need to bring this iconic Provençal seafood stew to your table.

Our Favorite French Onion Soup

Caramelized onions, melty Gruyère, and a deeply savory broth deliver the kind of comfort that doesn’t need improving.