https://www.washingtonpost.com/recipes/chickpea-kichidi/17421/
I'm vegetarian (and now vegan) and I think one of the tricky things for non-vegetarians is to get a bit creative with veggies. I personally like more spicy/exotic foods like the recipe above. Since your a good cook, why don't you try something a bit more adventurous?
In terms of appetizers, why not consider Bindaas, which has some great ones like the golgappa and the spicy cauliflower?? The web site Cookie and Kate has some great options too.