snack

The best way to enjoy Lamingtons, these cocoa and coconut iced cakes,the Aussie way is with a cup of strong coffee. Make it milk or chocolate milk for the young ones.

In a land with so many cultures living side by side, you would expect India's desserts to be equally varied. Even the venerated vada or vadai - a type of fritter or donut - shows this spread of ideas. Here is a type made from urad dal, a type of black lentil that mashes nicely into a dough.

Roti is a delicious bread that complementes your Indian cuisine. Roti is a flat bread. It is unleavened and not baked, but cooked on a tava, or griddle, with oil. Want to make your own righteous roti? That is as easy as one, two, three. OK, maybe it will take a half-dozen or so steps. But they're all simple.

Naan is best served warm. It can be kept covered by a large bowl for a few minutes after baking, but avoid keeping it there too long, since this leads to excess moisture buildup and softening. If you want to make your own naan follow this one delicious recipe.

The peppercorns add a, well, peppery taste and the cloves smooth out the whole dish. The mango powder adds just the right touch of tropical flavor. The chickpeas give it a smooth consistency that proves that cooking is not just about taste but mouthfeel, too.

Chaat is finger food, so don't be shy about picking it up and munching it right down. If you're particularly concerned about greasy fingers, just grab a little naan and surround the chaat.