Ekadasi Info Ekadashi – literally means the 11th day of the cycle of the moon – from the full moon and from the new moon – many Hindus regard these days as auspicious days to observe “Vrat”, a fast. This fast is observed from sunrise to sunrise and when observing a fast on this day you should abstain from grains, cereals, pulses, and certain spices. Tapioca and potatoes are allowed when observing this fast as they are not grains. The fast should ideally be observed by consuming milk, fruit, and nuts only, however lifestyle and rituals changed to suit lifestyles plays a big part in how we obser ..read more

“Peas & Potatoes”, is a simple vegan/vegetarian dish that can be prepared with the bare necessities, yet its flavor and wholesomeness tick all the boxes. The 3 vegetables that are available all year -peas, potatoes, and tomatoes – the rest of the spices are always in the “masala Dabba/spice tin”, and together they become this one pot of yumminess – it is as simple as that. The simple herbs, spices, and vegetables used to create this incredibly flavourful dish and it literally takes about 30minutes to prepare – 5min of your time (no need to peel the potatoes), and the balance of the 25minut ..read more

Quinoa – a must power-packed ingredient for a vegetarian or vegan diet and a pantry staple. The health and wellness benefits of quinoa are innumerable and the simplicity in which it can be prepared and flavoured is just amazing. Add it to soups, use it in a salad, substitute it for rice, I have on many occasions used cooked quinoa in my bran muffins and fruit cake – just to add some “Healthiness” – and the list is never-ending. Just as its uses are never-ending -so are its health benefits: – Gluten-free Essential + more than you need for strong bones High protein Antioxidants that aid in figh ..read more

Green Beans –  A veg that is available all year long but not given the necessary “Stage space” it so deserves – it can be cooked/prepared in several ways and each time it will provide a new taste sensation. The “fine green beans” is such a treat to eat and prepare – I am very fond of green beans and cook it often in many ways using a variety of spices – and each time it feels like I am eating completely different veg. This version of green beans – was created by me – simply because I totally love the warm comforting taste of roasted and crushed cumin seeds paired with fresh green beans an ..read more

I have had this recipe sitting in “my to post box”, for weeks waiting for the perfect “December Hot Day” to post and not waiting any longer – here it is the feel-good, crunchy, nourishing, and tangy sprout salad – that is simply simple but so full of tangy refreshing flavors.   Sprouts – Powerhouse of Nutrition Sprouts—mung beans, edamame beans, chickpeas, alfalfa and etc.—whichever one you choose; however.  you choose to prepare and eat it and wherever you choose to buy them—just make sure you eat them as the list of their health benefits is almost never-ending. I personally bu ..read more

I had spoken to Michael Olivier sometime in August and completely forgot about it and then out the blue had a call from Michael saying his book is published, printed, and on the shelves and he had featured one of my recipes – I was taken aback and still am and so very grateful to Michael – just in case you did not know who Michael Olivier is – he is an acclaimed wine and food commentator and this is the link to his website -: https://michaelolivier.co.za/  My recipe featured in his book and in his Advent Calendar This is a little peep into his book – which I am sure wine and food lovers w ..read more

Cauliflower – the new ingredient for carb-free, vegan, and many other types of cuisines – among the born and bred vegetarians – it has been a staple – from being a simple and cheap veg – it has climbed the ladder to being super popular and not such cheap veg anymore. Growing up – whenever cauliflower was cooked in our home – it had to be cut into super tiny florets – almost the same size as a pea – simply because if it was too big – it looked like a piece of chicken – and that was never acceptable in our household Till today – I need my cauliflower cut into tiny florets – some things never cha ..read more

Gujarati households – practice and teach one and all – “No Waste” – it is something that is drummed into you from an early age and – the women are just so innovative in creating tasty new meals from leftovers. This “fried rice” recipe of mine – has its origins from the “no waste mantra” and cooking skills that I learned from my maternal grandmother. A craving for a warm “one-bowl meal” – is where this recipe originated – some leftover cooked rice a few fresh veggies, seeds, spices, and maybe some yoghurt for added nutrition – and WOW! I have a tasty dish of fried rice with amped-up flavours of ..read more

My spicey, herby and tangy crackers that are vegan and gluten-free – and “Guilt-Free”. Lockdown regulations the weather and everything else calls for an unlimited supply of snacks and we all want to ensure we are eating healthy – so our snacks should be “healthy” as well – And this is the inspiration behind this creation of mine – I- myself am over the moon with it – and “no socialising” means my most important “no filter” tasters (my sons) have not tried it yet. But I am confident it is a hit – even if it does not, please their tastebuds – now everything is never a winner for them. I have hal ..read more

A fancy Nancy name for a simple age-old dish that is packed with flavor, nutrition, all the goodness of veggies and yes, it is “Gluten-Free & Vegan”. The Gujarati community never ever wastes anything and that is one of the reasons this community make good businesspeople and excellent mathematicians. The Gujarati woman practices the same in her kitchen “nothing goes to waste”, (this is a “Mantra” that we live by) every leftover is transformed into a yummy new dish the next day – my recipe is about left-over rice that is used to create these delicious dumplings or as we call it “mootia”. Wit ..read more