Turai aka Ridge guard is well known in Asian countries, especially in India, China, Philippines, Vietnam, Indonesia, Malaysia, and Japan. All of these cuisines have such a unique way of transforming this plain tasting vegetable into something amazing. Today, I introduce you to South Indian state Telangana way of transforming turai (beerakaya) into an amazing chutney (beerakaya pachadi). Not a lot of non-Indians know about chutney. Not just Indians, but non-Indians can enjoy chutneys too. Chutneys are so versatile, they can be eaten with rice as South Indians do or use as condiments for sandwiches, burgers. It also can be used as pasta sauce. Vegans all over the world or those who are struggling to find delicious and tasty meatless recipes should know about chutneys. Also those looking for diabetic friendly recipes, low carb, low sugar recipes, chutneys are rejoiced. Chutneys are all-natural, clean, vegan, vegetarian, gluten-free and paleo. No regrets.
Mixed vegetable cutlets
In India, Cutlets are everyone’s favorite evening snack. On a rainy evening, all you need is a cutlet. Whether they are for you or your family, or for entertaining guests, cutlets will always hit the spot. Cutlets are flat and round shaped, small patties rolled in breadcrumbs and deep fried. Cutlets are usually made of potato, or meat and spices. They are then dipped in an egg or cornstarch, then in breadcrumbs, and deep-fried. Ultimately producing a most satisfying snack. When you are in the mood of eating a snack, don’t think of which restaurant to go. Instead look into your refrigerator. You probably have a lot of veggies. If you don’t use them on time, they will be spoilt. Use them up.
Lotus root curry in onion, poppy seed sauce
Yet another delicacy and an absolute Vegans and vegetarians heaven. Farmer’s market and local markets carry far more varieties of veggies than you think. Some are rarely found veggies. Lotus root one of them. It is found abundantly in summers. If you find one, don’t miss it. Lotus root is a versatile vegetable. You can make an appetizer, veggie taco, veggie bowl, saute or curry out of lotus root. Vegetables or Chicken simmered in gravy with spices is most commonly known Indian westerners. This time, cook with a twist by adding lotus root. Adopt ancient Indian clean recipes. Indian cuisine offers many dishes than just naan and chicken butter masala as most of westerns see in Indian restuarants. There are many vegan, vegetarian curries made of vivid ingredients.
Moth bean chaat salad
Have you ever experienced salivation unattractively? That’s what happens when you think of Indian Chaats. Chaat can be best described as salty, sweet and tangy savory Indian snack. Chaats are India’s street food. India has some of the best street food in the world. Chaats were my and most of Indian’s all-time favorite kind of food. For children eating at chaat street cart is a great memory, for teens, they are great flirting places. No matter where Indians immigrate, they always cherish Street food moments. Besides curries, Indian cuisine offers a number of Vegan, vegetarian, paleo, gluten-free, nut-free dishes. Customize the Indian dish to your taste buds and it will hit the spot every time. Moth bean chaat is Vegan, vegetarian, paleo, gluten-free, nut-free. Not just for Indian food lovers, this chaat salad is must eat dish for everyone who wants to try meatless, healthy, clean recipes.
Instant Rava and flax meal dosa
For those who don’t know what Dosa is, it can be described as Indian crunchy sourdough crêpe pancake. A breakfast which is light in carbohydrates and sugars, high in protein, fiber is categorized as healthy breakfast. Traditional Dosa has high carbohydrates, no sugar, moderate in protein and fiber. Most of the western breakfasts are not in the healthy category. There are instant versions of dosa’s which are made of semolina. Since semolina is high in carbohydrates, this modified version with little semolina is low in carbs, high in omega-3. Instant flax dosa is a vegan, vegetarian, nut-free and paleo recipe, which gives you 100% nutrition. With a few changes in the recipe, traditional rava dosa is made with low in carbohydrates and no sugars, high in protein and fiber. A well made Dosa is wonderfully delicious, and is a healthy breakfast for busy mornings.
Usual western breakfasts are made of meat, highly processed all-purpose flour, sugars and topped with whipping cream. Choosing savory breakfast over sweet has many benefits. It cuts down a lot of sugars to your daily intake. Adding peppers in breakfast gives you essential minerals which keep you active all day. Instant Rava and flax meal dosa is one of the best Indian meatless option. Choose this best out of vegetarian Indian breakfast dish.
Green and Sweet chutneys
Green and sweet chutneys are the most popular condiments in North India. In fact throughout India nowadays. Compliment an underflavored dish or a bland dish or a dry dish with these creamy chutneys and enjoy the full flavor. Though these chutneys are originated and are staple in North India, popularity is spreading to South India as well.
Green and Sweet/Tamarind chutneys are clean homemade condiments that can be complemented to many dishes. You could replace ketchup completely with these vegan chutneys. If you are looking for various condiment recipes to replace ketchup, mayonnaise, mustard, start with these. They don’t taste like ketchup. But carry great taste, texture, flavor, health benefits and great satisfaction. Green chutney, made of mint and cilantro, is spicy, flavorful. Sweet chutney is made of tamarind, jaggery, optionally dates. It tastes sour, sweet, tangy and is very flavorful.
JalJeera
JalJeera is an all-natural, clean, summer drink staple in North India. A vegan, vegetarian Indian drink. JalJeera has been the quench for hot summer thirst for millions for the past many decades. More than a homemade drink, JalJeera is popular selling on the streets on carts in a clay pot called matka. Matka is clay pot, which naturally keeps drinks cold without consuming any energy. JalJeera is sold by street vendors. They wrap matka in a cloth to keep it chilled and is served with a steel ladle. JalJeera is usually garnished with boondi, sometimes with mint and coriander leaves. It is so refreshing that it rejuvenates you instantly, with natural ingredients, without any carbonation, extra sugars, artificial colors or flavors. Just ditch the high-calorie, high sugar, and carbon-di-oxide drinks.
Pesarattu
Pesarattu is described as Indian crunchy savory crêpe pancake made of Mung (moong) lentils. Pesarattu is popular in the states Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, and Rajasthan in India. Pesarattu name came from the Telugu language. Pesara is mung dal, attu is dosa, together is mung dal dosa. It is made with green mung dal batter. Pesarattu is topped with tiny onions and cilantro. It served as breakfast, with a side of ginger chutney. Pesarattu is made of Mung dal with skin, with added spices. Pesarattu is a breakfast which is high in protein, fiber, light in carbohydrates and sugars, which are the characteristics of a healthy breakfast. Bonus points are that Pesarattu is Vegan, vegetarian and gluten-free. A wonder Indian vegetarian recipe.
If you are making dosa for the first time, be ready to fail with the first few dosas. Not only you will struggle with spreading the batter to make thin dosa, you will also struggle to remove without damaging. Correct temperature for the griddle is important. Griddle should not be too hot and not too cold. Trust me, before you realize you’ll turn out to be an expert in dosas.
Sautéed beetroot with spices
Sautéed beetroot is vegan, vegetarian, paleo and gluten-free dish. It is one of the easy vegetarian Indian recipes. Another delicious, clean meatless recipe. If you are a pro at cooking or new bee, beetroot will please you. If you are someone who wants to start cooking vegan recipes, start with beetroot sauté.
Fruits and vegetables from vibrant color spectrum contain high levels of vitamins and minerals as vitamin C, vitamin A, beta-carotene, potassium, lycopene, flavonoids, and zeaxanthin.Beetroot is well known to be a very healthy and tasty vegetable. There are many ways to enjoy beets. Grate them raw on salads. Starters, soups, salads, drinks, steam and sauté, low sugar desserts and more. Beets are not only famous in kitchen, they are also famous in the beauty world as natural hair dye.
Turnips in Onion, Cashew Gravy curry
Turnips are root veggies which taste like potato minus starch, has texture and benefits like carrot. Yet they are celebrities in the vegan, vegetarian, gluten-free kitchen. Fry, curries, stews, salads, nothing is ineligible to make with turnips. A vegan, gluten-free, paleo dish you have been craving for. One of the best homemade meatless options you can choose from. You know what you are eating. You are not consuming the additives, sodium, preservatives, freshness agents and many more chemicals from store bought dinner. Choose healthy lifestyle choices by making this all-natural vegan Indian curry.
