Black Chana Masala

Chana masala — or spiced chickpeas — is one of the most famous of traditional Indian dishes and a favorite of vegetarians and non-vegetarians alike. Some version of chana masala featuring yellow chickpeas can be found at almost any Indian restaurant in North America — it's a dish that I almost always sample when trying a new Indian restaurant to gauge the quality of the chef's spicing, and I've made many different versions of it myself over the years.

Sweet Potato Rounds with Goat Cheese and Harissa

These thin rounds of baked seasoned sweet potatoes are an appealing attractive fall appetizer or hors d'oeuvres, with their rich orange color and topped with a a dollop of soft unripened goat cheese mixed with spicy harissa. The heat from the harissa is tempered by the fresh creaminess of the goat cheese to make a perfect pairing with the sweet potatoes. If you're like me and enjoy "little bites" that can be prepared with little fuss, you'll appreciate these just on their own.