Healthy WFPB Maharashtrian Kadhi for Gut Health

Maharashtrian kadhi can be easily adapted into a whole-food, plant-based (WFPB) version by using homemade plant-based yogurt made from soy, peanut, or cashew milk instead of dairy, and thickening it with chickpea flour (besan). This variation is lighter than the Punjabi kadhi and does not include deep-fried pakoras, making it naturally healthier and more digestible….

Mochar Ghonto: Traditional Bengali Banana Blossom Curry

Mochar Ghonto is a quintessential Bengali vegetarian delicacy made with mocha—the banana blossom—slow-cooked with potatoes, grated coconut, and an aromatic medley of spices. In many Bengali homes, especially during festive vegetarian days or when guests prefer a no-onion, no-garlic spread, this dish holds a place of pride. Preparing mochaa is a labor of love: the…

Versatile Eggplant Recipe with Nutritional Perks

“Ennai” means oil in Tamil, and “kathrikkai” means eggplant — hardly the most appetising name for one of the tastiest dishes I’ve ever eaten. Eggplant, like the universally beloved potato, is a remarkably versatile vegetable, lending itself to innumerable dishes across the globe. Yet, unlike potatoes, eggplants evoke sharply divided opinions — people either relish…

Refreshing Pachi Pulusu: A Summer Delight

Pachi Pulusu is a wonderfully cooling summer rasam from Andhra Pradesh, a dish my sister first introduced me to over 50 years ago. Unlike traditional rasams, it is made almost raw—there’s no boiling involved, just a gentle tempering at most—allowing the tangy tamarind, fresh onions, green chilies, and coriander to retain their bright, bold character….

Transform Your Beetroot Experience with This Recipe

I’ve never been fond of beetroot—right from childhood, it was something I ate under protest, only because the grown-ups said it was “good for me.” Despite its well-known health benefits, it never quite won me over. Now, years later, irony has the last laugh: my haemoglobin is low, and I’ve been advised to eat beetroot…

Authentic Chena Mezhukkupuratti: A Kerala Tradition

Mezhukkupuratti is a traditional dry stir-fry from Kerala, South India, known for its simplicity and depth of flavor, typically made without a gravy and using minimal spices. The term “mezhukkupuratti” roughly translates to “coated with oil,” but Whole Food Plant-Based (WFPB) adaptations use water-sautéing instead. Among the many vegetables used, elephant yam (chena) is especially…

Thanjavur Mor Keerai Kootu: A Creamy Tamil Dish

Thanjavur Mor Keerai Kootu is a dish where health, tradition, taste, and comfort converge in perfect harmony. Hailing from the culturally rich region of Thanjavur in Tamil Nadu, this dish is a creamy blend of greens (usually amaranth or spinach), coconut, and buttermilk, gently tempered with mustard, red chillies, and curry leaves. Its uniqueness lies…

Delicious Taro Root Street Food Curry

Taro root curry is a truly interesting dish, especially when made in the bold, flavorful style of street food. With a healthy, oil-free twist, it still delivers that same comforting, spicy kick—tender taro pieces soaked in a rich tomato-based sauce with warming spices and fresh herbs. Your body appreciates this hearty root vegetable for its…

Fusion Masala Pasta: A Nutritious One-Pot Meal

Masala pasta is a delightful fusion dish that blends the heartiness of Italian cuisine with the bold, aromatic flavors of Indian spices. Prepared using whole wheat penne and a colorful array of vegetables like bell peppers, onions, tomatoes, and peas, this dish follows whole-food, plant-based (WFPB) principles—completely oil-free and nutrient-rich. The pasta is simmered in…