A wonderful dish for a crowd, and if you use vegetable stock it’s fully vegetarian. Make a quarter of the amount of just the aubergine dal recipe for a quick weeknight dinner for two, or go the whole hog with all the sides if entertaining. In India the dal is often a side dish, but here it is very happily the main event. And actually these sides are quick and easy and really do make a difference. You can always add a serving of rice as well if you like.