Indian fare has long been seen as complex and time-consuming. And certainly, there are many dishes that require special techniques, a laundry list of spices and more time than your average American home cook might wish to spend cooking. Fortunately, there are easy ways to create simple, fresh Indian dishes that are also big on taste.

This week, we're talking to Chef Ruta Kahate, owner of Ruta's restaurant and author of "6 Spices, 60 Dishes," a brand new cookbook which showcases myriad options for remarkable Indian fare that can be easily pulled together, even on a busy weeknight. During the podcast, Kahate shares all the details about her new book, the inspiration behind it and the recipes which make the most of Indian flavors with accessible ingredients, efficient techniques and six versatile spices.