Bose,
The only requirement and the only method by which the pilot can carry passengers is through having completed 3 take-offs and landings as sole manipulator of the controls in the last 90 days.
This can be;
1. completed while current in the normal course of flights
2. completed solo
3. completed with another crew member acting as Pilot in command.
If in the case of 3 the other pilot is an instructor then the flight can be dual and the time logged as dual.
Do it how you please but the only thing that gets you current is the required take-offs and landings as sole manipulator of the controls.
IRRenewal, your quote of the ANO was both correct and relevant.
Regards,
DFC