The Lentils and Spices For a Dal All Your Own.

DELICATELY scented basmati rice spiced with cardamom, fluffy naan, rich curry sauces served with pungent pickles, and flavorful chutneys -- these delicious foods are known to just about anyone who has eaten at an Indian restaurant. But the ingredients used to achieve those exquisite blends of taste and texture may not be quite as familiar. Discovering them at a local Indian grocer can not only spice up the dinner plate at home but also provide some bargains. Many customers of the tiny Bengal Grocery in downtown White Plains had experienced the flavors of India at the Bengal Tiger Restaurant next door; both establishments are owned by members of the Kalathara family. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]