Blog - Page 7 of 14 - Indian Vegan Cookbook

Lime Mint Drink

Lemon is rich in vitamin C and acts as an antioxidant, whereas mint is said to help improve digestion, brain function and conditions like irritable bowel syndrome. It is also said to prevent bloating and gas and alleviate cold symptoms.

Raisins contain tartaric acid, which is a protein that may have anti-inflammatory properties, improve intestinal function, and help improve good gut bacteria levels. Since raisins have a low glycaemic index, they are much better than sugar or jaggery both of which are processed sweeteners.

A WORD ABOUT DAIRY

There’s a lot about milk that we’re not taught about in school, at home, or in society. And we accept what we’re taught without realizing

Sweet and Sour Green Smoothie

(Recipe credit: Darshana Muzumdar) Learn why smoothies are important. However, I believe that eating fruits helps in achieving our optimum health. Please learn more from

Why Smoothies?

Green smoothies are the new food to help reverse lifestyle diseases and provide the most important nutrients for the body. Try them to believe it.

Plain Coconut Milk

Coconuts are high in fat but equally high in fibre making it difficult to consume too much fat if eaten grated or sliced. Coconuts have been used in India for centuries and in both savoury and sweet dishes as well as in kachumbers or salads. The medium-chain triglycerides in coconut flesh are absorbed directly from the small intestine and used for energy. Coconuts are rich in manganese, which promotes bone health, have a good amount of copper and iron which are necessary for the formation of red blood cells, and selenium and phenolic compounds which may act as an antioxidant. Just watch out with the amount you eat as it is high in fat and so in calories.

Green Smoothie

Serves 1 (Recipe credit: www.sharan-india.org) Learn why smoothies are important. However, I believe that eating delicious ripe sweet fruits helps in achieving our optimum health.

Sardali Vaday

Urad dal is a very common lentil or as we call it a pulse that is found in almost each South Indian home. It is used in the whole or split forms both with and without the black skin on. Urad dal has a good number of amino acids and gets a complete protein profile with all amino acids when combined with a grain like rice. It has a low glycaemic index and because it also contains indigestible fibre it helps in maintaining sugar levels by releasing energy slowly. It is a good source of carbohydrates, iron, calcium and smaller amounts of lipids, all of which may support the growth of bones and help improve heart conditions. Urad dal when eaten with its skin on is a good source of prebiotics as the indigestible skin stimulates the growth of helpful bacteria in the intestine thus improving gut health. Antioxidants such as polyphenols in urad dal may help reduce the impact of free radicals that damage cells thus preventing conditions like cancer, neurodegenerative diseases, and atherosclerosis, and the phenolics, tannins, flavonoids, and phytic acid may help keep the liver and kidney in good order.
Chana is eaten in both the whole and split forms and as besan or the ground form all over India. It is considered to be a great source for muscular health and better immunity as it has 13 grams of protein in every 100 grams. The folate in chana dal may help prevent diseases like stroke, dementia, and depression and the calcium in it can help in preventing osteoporosis and improve bone density. Like urad dal, chana dal has a good amount of fibre and a low glycaemic index making it a good option for maintaining sugar levels and increasing the feeling of satiety faster. The healthy fats in chana have antioxidant properties that may help reduce inflammation. Most importantly, pulses help restore soil fertility by fixing nitrogen in it.

Masala Pohe (Spicy Pressed Rice)

Poha is made by soaking the rice and then flattening and drying it. It can be considered to be an uncooked form of rice yet doesn’t really need to be cooked to be consumed. It has a reasonable amount of carbohydrates, some potassium, sodium and protein, and is easily digested. Coconut is a great source of natural fats and lots of fibre. Fibre helps in digestion as well as regulating the absorption of nutrients.

Batatyachi Kapa (Spicy Fried Potato Slices)

Potatoes are a root vegetable enjoyed by old and young alike. Potatoes are rich in energy in the form of carbohydrates, contain a considerable amount of protein, vitamins C and B6, niacin and folate, and minerals like potassium, manganese, magnesium and phosphorous, fibre and compounds like flavonoids, carotenoids and phenolic acids, which are antioxidants that help to neutralize potentially harmful molecules known as free radicals. The skin of the potato apart from containing a considerable amount of fibre is not only alkaline in nature but also contains a great amount of the vitamins and minerals, so it’s best to cook and eat potato in its whole form. However, potatoes when fried or cooked with a lot of oil are pretty unhealthy, so it’s best to avoid French fries or fried potato dishes like this one unless you can make it with just a few drops of oil.

God Polay (Sweet Rice Flour Pancake Rolls)

Many cultures consider rice to be a staple grain because it contains vital carbohydrates that provide the body energy even though it contains less protein than other cereals. Carbohydrates can keep you energized and satisfied and are important for fuelling exercise. Rice, particularly white rice, generally gets digested easily because it is low in fat and fibre, and so it’s better to eat brown or semi-brown rice. Brown rice, especially, is an excellent source of many nutrients, including fibre, manganese, selenium, magnesium, and B vitamins.

Indian Vegan Cookbook

Ragi Laddu or Ragi Ladoo (Finger Millet Sweet Balls)

Tavsoli/Tausoli (Cucumber Cake)

Sanjiryo or Sanjori (Sweet Semolina Stuffed Flat Bread)

Naral Poli (Sweet Coconut Flat Bread)

Shengdanyachi Chikki (Peanut Brittle)

Mango Chunda with Jaggery

Myndoli Kelya Chi Halwo (Myndoli Banana Halwa)

Alsane Kaju Tonak (Cowpea and Cashew Curry)