Category: Blog

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A Culinary Journey Around the Globe: Discovering Diverse Vegetarian Cuisines

Welcome, fellow food enthusiasts, to a gustatory exploration that spans the continents! As we embark on this A Culinary Journey Around the Globe, be prepared to tantalize your taste buds with the rich tapestry of flavors found in international vegetarian cuisines. For both the seasoned vegetarian and the curious omnivore, this blog post serves as your passport to discovering delicious, plant-based dishes from various cultures around the world. So, tighten your apron strings and let’s dive into a world where vegetarian food is not just a lifestyle choice but a celebration of global diversity and taste.

Embarking on the Vegetarian Voyage

Understanding the global reach of vegetarian cuisine is to appreciate the history and cultural significance that accompanies each dish. Whether it’s the fragrant spices of Indian cooking or the robust flavors found in Mediterranean fare, each country brings something unique to the table. Our journey will navigate through the colorful array of dishes that have sustained civilizations and delighted palates for centuries.

India: A Spicy Spectrum

Indian cuisine is renowned for its complex spice blends and an array of vegetarian options. From the tangy street food chaats to the creamy gravies of paneer-based entrees, the subcontinent offers an exciting range of flavors to explore. The use of legumes and rice forms the backbone of many dishes, providing both sustenance and a canvas for a symphony of spices.

  • Chana Masala: A hearty chickpea curry.
  • Palak Paneer: Soft paneer cubes in a spinach sauce.
  • Dosas: Crispy rice and lentil-based crepes filled with spiced potatoes.

Mediterranean Mezze

The Mediterranean diet, famous for its health benefits, is a treasure trove for those in search of vegetarian delights. Mezze, the variety of small dishes often served as appetizers, can easily turn into a full meal with selections such as baba ganoush, falafel, and tabbouleh.

  • Baba Ganoush: A smoky eggplant dip.
  • Falafel: Deep-fried chickpea balls.
  • Tabbouleh: A refreshing parsley and bulgur salad.

East Asia’s Delicate Delights

Vegetarian fare from East Asia is characterized by its delicate flavors and innovative use of tofu and vegetables. Japanese and Chinese cuisines offer an abundance of vegetarian dishes that showcase the art of cooking with simplicity and respect for ingredients.

  • Vegetable Sushi: Sushi rolls with avocado, cucumber, and pickled radish.
  • Mapo Tofu: A spicy Sichuan tofu dish.
  • Stir-fried Vegetables: A staple dish with seasonal vegetables in a light sauce.

Savoring the Flavors

As you can see, vegetarian cuisine is anything but monotonous. It thrives on the use of diverse ingredients and the creativity of cooks who have perfected these recipes over generations. To bring these international flavors into your own kitchen, bvegetarian offers an extensive collection of recipes to get you started. Additionally, our ingredients section demystifies exotic produce and spices, making it easier for you to recreate authentic dishes.

Whether you’re exploring vegetarianism for health reasons, ethical considerations, or simple curiosity, the how-to guides and health and nutrition articles on our site will support you every step of the way. We believe that understanding the cultural context of the food we eat enriches the dining experience, making every meal a learning opportunity and a source of joy.

In closing, we hope that this journey through international vegetarian cuisines inspires you to expand your culinary horizons and discover the richness of plant-based eating. Happy cooking and bon appétit!

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Fasting: A new rage or an age old tradition?

 

Fasting : My observations.

 

You must have seen the fasting trend. Everyone is posting something online about how they have achieved all the health and body of their dreams by the miracle of fasting. There are so many choices, 16:8, 12:12, days of fasting, weeks of fasting, or water fasting. It seems that everyone is doing some form of fasting. When do you know it’s time for you to fast? Is it safe? How do I deal with hunger? What about migraine headaches or feelings of weakness? Shall I skip breakfast or dinner? So many questions and so many opinions.

I am going to make it easy for you to decide.

Fasting has been an integral part of almost all cultures. There are religious days or prayer days where the followers and devotees fast. Some do as a penance; some do as a matter of cleansing.

In the not-too-distant past, fasting occasionally would be involuntary due to famines, failure of crops, dry seasons, and locust infestations, and our bodies had evolved over thousands of years to deal with this. Now, we are in an eternal season of growth. We eat more than we need daily and the concept of not eating for a few hours seems so foreign. Have you seen the soccer parents at a local meet? They come armed with packets of juice, fish shaped snacks, cookies, and cupcakes lest their loved one wither away after a few hours of not eating and all the parents have parked their ample behinds on a foldable chair.

I often do colonoscopies and it’s an interesting conversation with my parents before we get them into the endoscopy lab. Some of them have not known hunger and experience that for the first time when they have not eaten overnight.

Whatever fasting modality you choose, you should be clear what’s the purpose of this fasting, how many hours per day you will fast, and also how long. How are you going to mitigate hunger that can come visiting unannounced and be very uncomfortable? How are you going to exercise your fasting muscles?

Purpose of fasting:

  1. Fat loss ( I do not say weight loss, who wants to lose muscle or bones or a vital organ?)
  2. Religious reasons
  3. Longevity

Length of fasting:

  1. Circadian
  2. 16:8
  3. 18:6
  4. 20:4
  5. Alternate day
  6. Prolonged fast

 

I fast from time to time but as a normal human, I experience hunger pangs, and weakness of spirit almost to the point of breaking my fast as food is so readily available.

As we progress through this series on fasting, I will start a 5 day fast and write down my experience, and thoughts and discuss the science behind fasting.

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10 Reasons to get a Cast iron Pan

Cast iron pan, healthy cooking
Cast iron Pan

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cooking in cast iron pans offers several benefits that can be good for your cooking and, in some cases, your health.

 

Here are some reasons why cooking in cast iron pans is considered advantageous:

  1. Heat Retention: Cast iron pans are excellent at retaining and distributing heat evenly. This means that once they get hot, they stay hot. This is great for achieving a consistent temperature when cooking, whether you’re searing, frying, or baking.

 

  1. Natural Non-Stick Surface: With proper seasoning and use, cast iron pans can develop a naturally non-stick surface. This means you can use less oil or fat when cooking, which can be a healthier option.

 

  1. Iron Enrichment: Cooking in cast iron pans can introduce a small amount of dietary iron into your food. This can be especially beneficial for individuals who are at risk of iron deficiency. However, it’s worth noting that the iron contribution is relatively small and not significant for everyone.

 

  1. Versatility: Cast iron pans can be used on various cooking surfaces, including stovetops, ovens, and even over open flames. Their versatility makes them suitable for a wide range of cooking techniques.

 

  1. Longevity: Well-maintained cast iron pans can last for generations. They are known for their durability and can become family heirlooms when cared for properly.

 

  1. Chemical-Free: Unlike some non-stick coatings, cast iron pans are free from potentially harmful chemicals like perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and perfluorooctanesulfonic acid (PFOS), which are found in certain non-stick cookware.

 

  1. Enhanced Flavor: Many people believe that cooking in cast iron enhances the flavor of food. The seasoning and the way cast iron retains and imparts heat can contribute to a unique and delicious taste.

 

  1. Economical: While cast iron pans may be more expensive upfront, their longevity and versatility often make them a cost-effective choice in the long run.

 

  1. Low Maintenance: Despite the myth that cast iron is high-maintenance, caring for these pans is relatively simple. With proper seasoning and cleaning techniques, they can be easy to maintain.
  2.  Reduced Waste: Unlike non-stick pans that can wear out over time and need replacement, cast iron pans can last for decades, reducing waste in the long term.

 

 

 

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Chickpeas: The Hummus-orous Superfood You Need to Try

Chickpeas, also known as garbanzo beans, are a type of legume that are packed with nutrients and health benefits. Here are 11 benefits of chickpeas:

  1. Rich in nutrients: Chickpeas are a rich source of vitamins, minerals, and fiber. They contain high amounts of protein, folate, iron, phosphorus, and zinc.
  2. Aid in weight loss: Chickpeas are low in calories and high in fiber, making them a great food choice for weight loss. The fiber content helps to keep you feeling full for longer periods of time.
  3. Reduce the risk of chronic diseases: The high fiber content in chickpeas has been linked to a reduced risk of chronic diseases such as heart disease, type 2 diabetes, and certain types of cancer.
  4. Improve digestion: The fiber in chickpeas helps to promote healthy digestion and prevent constipation.
  5. Boost energy levels: Chickpeas are a good source of complex carbohydrates, which provide the body with sustained energy.
  6. Lower cholesterol levels: The soluble fiber in chickpeas helps to lower cholesterol levels by binding to cholesterol in the digestive system and preventing it from being absorbed.
  7. Regulate blood sugar levels: Chickpeas have a low glycemic index, meaning they cause a slow and steady rise in blood sugar levels, making them a good food choice for people with diabetes.
  8. Improve heart health: Chickpeas are a good source of potassium, which helps to lower blood pressure and reduce the risk of heart disease.
  9. Support bone health: Chickpeas contain high amounts of calcium and magnesium, which are important for maintaining strong bones.
  10. Promote healthy skin: The vitamin C and antioxidants in chickpeas help to promote healthy skin by protecting against free radical damage.
  11. Boost brain function: Chickpeas are a good source of choline, which is important for brain health and can help improve memory and cognitive function.

Chickpeas are a nutrient-dense food that can provide numerous health benefits when consumed as part of a balanced diet. They can be eaten in a variety of ways, such as roasted, boiled, or mashed, and are a versatile ingredient in many recipes.

Chickpeas

 

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Canola Oil

Canola oil is a popular vegetable oil that is widely used in the food industry due to its versatility and numerous health benefits. It is made from the seeds of the canola plant, which is a type of rapeseed that has been selectively bred to produce a lower level of erucic acid and glucosinolates, two compounds that are considered potentially harmful to human health. In this essay, we will discuss the origins of canola oil, its nutritional profile, health benefits, and potential drawbacks.

The history of canola oil dates back to the 1960s, when Canadian researchers began developing a new variety of rapeseed that would be low in erucic acid and glucosinolates. This new variety, which was eventually named “canola” (short for “Canadian oil, low acid”), was first commercially produced in the 1970s and quickly gained popularity due to its high smoke point, mild flavor, and healthy fat profile.

Canola oil is a rich source of monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats, which are considered “good” fats that can help lower cholesterol levels and reduce the risk of heart disease. It is also low in saturated fats and high in omega-3 fatty acids, which have been shown to have numerous health benefits, including reducing inflammation, improving brain function, and supporting heart health.

In addition to its fat content, canola oil is also a good source of vitamins E and K, which are important antioxidants that help protect the body against oxidative stress and inflammation. It also contains small amounts of other nutrients, such as vitamin B6, folate, and potassium.

One of the main health benefits of canola oil is its ability to lower cholesterol levels. Studies have shown that consuming canola oil can lead to a significant decrease in LDL (“bad”) cholesterol and an increase in HDL (“good”) cholesterol, which can help reduce the risk of heart disease. Canola oil has also been shown to improve insulin sensitivity and reduce the risk of type 2 diabetes.

However, there are some potential drawbacks to consuming canola oil. One concern is that it is often produced using genetically modified organisms (GMOs), which can be a source of controversy in the food industry. Additionally, some people may be allergic to canola oil or experience digestive issues when consuming it in large amounts.

Overall, canola oil is a healthy and versatile oil that can be used for a variety of cooking purposes, including sautéing, baking, and frying. While it may not be suitable for everyone, it is a good option for those looking to improve their heart health and reduce their risk of chronic diseases.

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Jeera Rice: Comfort food for a Sunday afternoon

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Jeera rice is a popular Indian dish made by cooking rice with cumin seeds and other spices. Here is a simple recipe for Jeera rice:

Ingredients:

  • 1 cup basmati rice
  • 1 tbsp ghee or oil
  • 1 tsp cumin seeds
  • 1/2 cup of frozen peas
  • Salt, to taste
  • 2 cups water
  • Fresh cilantro leaves, chopped (for garnish)

Instructions:

  1. Rinse the rice in cold water until the water runs clear. Soak the rice in cold water for 30 minutes. Drain and set aside.
  2. Heat the ghee or oil in a pan over medium heat. Add the cumin seeds and the frozen peas. Have a splatter guard handy. It’s going to splatter! Fry the jeera and the peas for a few seconds until fragrant.
  3. Add the soaked rice to the pan and stir well to coat the rice with the spices.
  4. Add 2 cups of water and salt to taste. Stir well and bring the water to a boil.
  5. Once the water comes to a boil, reduce the heat to low and cover the pan with a lid. Cook for 15-20 minutes, or until the rice is cooked and the water has been absorbed.
  6. Turn off the heat and let the rice sit covered for 5-10 minutes.
  7. Remove the lid and fluff the rice with a fork. Garnish with fresh cilantro leaves.

Your Jeera rice is now ready to serve! It can be served with various Indian dishes such as dal, and curries, or as a side dish with any meal.

 

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Beans: Let me count the benefits.

Beans are a type of legume that have been a staple food in many cultures for centuries. They come in a variety of shapes, sizes, and colors and can be eaten cooked or raw. Not only are beans versatile and delicious, but they also offer a range of health benefits.

One of the most significant benefits of eating beans is their nutritional value. Beans are an excellent source of protein, which is essential for building and repairing tissues in the body. They also contain complex carbohydrates, fiber, vitamins, and minerals, including iron, folate, and potassium. The high fiber content in beans helps to keep the digestive system healthy and can aid in weight management by helping you feel full for longer.

Another benefit of eating beans is that they can help lower cholesterol levels. The soluble fiber found in beans binds to cholesterol and prevents it from being absorbed into the bloodstream. This, in turn, can help reduce the risk of heart disease and stroke. Additionally, some studies have shown that regularly consuming beans can lower blood pressure levels, which is also beneficial for heart health.

Beans are also an excellent food choice for those looking to manage their blood sugar levels. The complex carbohydrates found in beans are broken down slowly by the body, which helps to prevent spikes in blood sugar levels. This is particularly important for people with diabetes, as it can help them manage their condition more effectively.

In addition to their health benefits, beans are also a cost-effective food option. They are affordable and widely available, making them accessible to people of all income levels. Furthermore, beans can be stored for long periods without spoiling, making them an excellent pantry staple for times when fresh produce may not be available.

Finally, eating beans is also beneficial for the environment. Beans require less water and fertilizer to grow than other crops, making them a more sustainable food option. Additionally, legumes like beans are known to improve soil health by fixing nitrogen in the soil, which can reduce the need for chemical fertilizers.

In conclusion, the benefits of eating beans are many and varied. They are an excellent source of nutrition, can help lower cholesterol and blood pressure levels, aid in weight management, and are a cost-effective and environmentally friendly food option. With so many reasons to eat beans, it is easy to see why they have been a staple food in so many cultures for so long. So, next time you are looking for a healthy and delicious meal, consider adding beans to your plate.

 

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13 Cooking methods that will make your life easy ( Part 1) : by Prabhakar Swaroop

It’s bewildering to watch a cooking show where accomplished chefs are preparing long-worded dishes for judges. They dice, they chop, they grate and then they roast, bake, fry, and magically transform raw ingredients into something mouthwatering.

Today, let’s discuss what are the easy ways you can transform the raw food in front of you so something nutritious and tasty.

  1. Boiling: This is a technique where the raw food is boiled in a pot of water. The boiling water transfers the heat into the food in question and cooks it while keeping it moist. The cooking temp will be never above the boiling temp of water at that elevation. You can think of pressure cooking as a combination of steaming and boiling at a higher temperature than boiling water due to the fact that the boiling temperature of the water is related to the pressure it’s at. So if you are a Himalayan climber your water will boil at a much lower temperature. Boiling cooks the food but does very little to enhance the taste.
    1. What are the foods that can be boiled? : Most grains, root vegetables, pasta, and beans would begin the journey to your plate with a boil. I start my rice dishes or lentils by boiling them. You can reduce the boiling time of beans by presoaking them overnight. This also reduces the amount of lectins which apparently has become a big issue in certain circles.
    2. Tips and Tricks:
      1. Pre-boil your water prior to adding the grain or roots.
      2. Boil enough water so that everything is covered.
      3. May add salt to the water to preseason the food.
      4. Keep a timer ready. Rice has a sweet spot at 12-15 minutes, after which it becomes mush.
      5. Drain the boiling water quickly after the cooking time is over so that the food does not keep on cooking, you may also want to give it a quick rinse with cool running water to stop the cooking process.
      6. After the elapsed time is over, poke the vegetable with a fork, it should sink in with mild resistance without any sensation of grittiness or the skin of the vegetable splitting.
  1. Pan frying: The first example when I think of panfrying is that of potatoes or onions. Pan-frying can be a means to get to the final cooked product or it can result in the final food. It’s important to remember to use the right kind of oil and a good non-stick pan. Occasionally, I used butter to pan-fry slices of bread or vegetables but high heat can burn butter easily. Heat is transferred to the food either via convection, radiation, and conduction. Here in panfrying, the heat transfer happens via conduction so it’s important to remember that the cooking times depend upon the initial temperature of the foods, the temperature of the pan, and the contact surface between the pan and the food in question. If the food is cold and the pan is hot, you will get burnt food with an uncooked interior.
    1. What foods can I pan-fry? If you roll a small ball of dough into a tortilla or a roti, this can be easily pan-fried with or without oil. I love cooking Rotis with fenugreek leaves on a cast iron pan. After cooking, I smear a little bit of butter or ghee on top, my kids love to eat this with a little bit of daal. You may pan-fry cubed potatoes, sweet potatoes, slices of bread, and almost all root vegetables including onions, garlic, and carrots. I really think this is the most versatile way to cook.
    2. Tips and Tricks:
      1. You do not need to bring prechopped frozen foods to room temperature before pan-frying. I will frequently pan-fry some chopped onions in a little olive oil with cumin seeds and salt till it becomes translucent then add a bag of frozen chopped vegetables at hand be it beans, bell peppers, or cauliflower to cook. Cauli looks a lot more appealing with some color, so either I brown it which takes a lot longer, or add a pinch of turmeric powder when I add the cauliflower to the pan. If you are up to it, you may add a little bit of smoked paprika. I think turmeric powder and smoked paprika make a wonderful combination. Remember to cook out raw turmeric flavor.
      2. Bring your pan to the proper temperature. It all depends upon the heat output of your cooktop as well as the thickness of the pan’s bottom. After the pan had become hot, I add some oil and move the pan around to coat the surface evenly with a thin layer of oil.
      3. Cast iron pans are fantastic for this job. They retain heat longer, don’t suffer from hot or cold spots and despite needing very little maintenance, they can last generations.
  1. Baking: You can bake either in a small toaster oven if you have a small baking tray or use a full-sized oven. Baking has several advantages. You can premix your ingredients hours in advance and put them in an adequately heated oven when you are ready.
    1. What can I bake? I love to bake broccoli, brussels sprouts, potatoes, root vegetables, and cauliflower for my lunch. I will chop the vegetables at hand, mix them with a small amount of olive oil, garlic powder, and salt, and off they go into the oven. You can bake bread, cakes, rolls, casseroles, and many other food items. One of our favorite dinners on Sunday evenings is baked root vegetables, Rajma which is red bean curry, and corn tortillas with a topping of fresh lime juice, and chopped coriander leaves.
    2. Tips and Tricks:
      1. Always preheat your oven.
      2. A toaster oven will suffice for most purposes.
      3. Avoid putting your vegetables in the topmost rack of your oven, their edges will burn.
      4. Coating your vegetables with a thin layer of oil will help you not to dry them out completely. I use a tablespoon of olive oil for 2 pounds of chopped broccoli. I will mix them together in a large bowl with some salt and garlic powder before baking them
      5. Use oven mitts and gloves to remove baking trays, pots, and pans from the heated oven, and remember that they will remain hot for a long time
  1. Grilling: This can be done on a proper grill or using a grilling tray or grilling cast iron pan over a stove. The idea is to apply intense heat directly and some indirectly to your food to cook it as well as leave that appealing grill marks. If your life situation does not allow for a proper outdoor grill currently, consider buying a small grilling cast iron pan or a grilling tray.
    1. What can I grill? Almost anything! Grilled vegetables, eggplants, and zucchini are all delicious. Occasionally, we will roll out dough for either rotis, naans, or tortillas and put them out on a grill to cook. It takes only a few minutes for them to cook.
    2. Tips and Tricks:
      1. Preheat and lightly oil the grilling surface to prevent sticking
      2. Buy a grill cleaning brush. It’s metal and will remove the charred pieces which are stuck.
      3. If you are using soft and small pieces of food, e.g paneer use skewers
      4. Soak your skewers in warm water for 30 minutes prior to inserting them and starting the grilling process.
  1. Steaming: In many ways, steaming can be synonymous with boiling esp when it comes to grains like rice or quinoa. I think it sounds more sophisticated than boiling. I have a bamboo steaming basket as well as an idli steamer.
    1. What can I steam? You can steam vegetables, and grains as well as various batters e.g idli or even dhokla. There is a tradition of making ‘ Pithas’ which is very similar in concept to the Mexican corn tamales. Some of the dishes can be sweet as well. You may want to chop vegetables like cauliflower, potatoes, zucchini, and broccoli into bite-sized pieces and put them in a bamboo steaming tray, and put them over a shallow pan of boiling water. The rising steam will cook the vegetables in 12-15 minutes. After they are steamed, the vegetables can be seasoned or sauces can be added.
    2. Tips and Tricks:
      1. Keep deeply colored e.g beets separate from the rest of the vegetables
      2. Prepare the sauces or gravy prior to steaming. So when you serve the vegetables, they will still be warm.
      3. Remove the vegetables from the steaming tray when they are al-dente. This means that the vegetable has a slight resistance when you bite into it.

 

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10 easy ways to improve your health

  1. Choose quality over quantity. Subconsciously we know which foods are good for us. For example, nobody would confuse donuts to be healthy food. But the same number of calories eaten as broccoli is far healthier.
  2. Do not seek a wide variety of foods. you should select limited varieties of healthy balanced meals and majority of times, choose from these foods. Preplanning is always good. When you are hungry, it is hard to make the right choices especially when mind-boggling variety of super tempting foods are available.
  3. Avoid hyper-palatable food. We are not strangers to hyper palatable foods. One of my favorite place to get these foods are in State Fairs when I used to live in Kansas, I would take three days off from work to visit the fair so that I could sample all varieties of fried and not good-for-you treats. I love freshly fried Potato chips. It’s hot, It’s delicious, it is salty. And hits the spot, It becomes a vicious cycle. It’s just like listening to loud music. Initially, the music is loud but after a few hours, the same volume of sound is not that loud. This is exactly what happens when we keep on eating super delicious foods. After a few days, you will crave more delicious foods and, delicious foods have a high amount of fat and sugar in them.
  4. Eat less calorie-dense foods. If you are eating exact same number of calories in the form of donut vs. Broccoli, which one do you think will take you longer? I would suspect broccoli. Broccoli will occupy a larger volume in your stomach, therefore, keeping you full longer. There is a limit to this trick so I would recommend combining high-volume low-calorie foods with a good source of protein and healthy fats.
  5. Include foods with plenty of fiber in your diet. This is easier said than done. easy ways to include fiber in your diet is to include beans, lentils, and fresh green vegetables.
  6. Protein is satisfying. In general, a vegetarian diet is not considered a high-protein diet. But there are several options that one can choose from vegetarian foods which can be high in protein. For example, Paneer which is Indian cottage cheese has high protein but a low amount of fat. Beans and lentils are good sources of protein and they are quite satisfying.
  7. Plan what you will eat when you get hungry. When very hungry, healthy foods suddenly become unappetizing.
  8. Watch your portion of food.
  9. Limit your intake of refined carbohydrates in the evening.
  10. When in doubt, drink a few cups of water. Many times the hunger signal is not actually hunger but in fact thirst.
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Why we started this blog

Bvegetarian blog

This is a blog where we share our thoughts, experiences, and recipes for vegetarian cooking.

We know each other since we have been 5 years old and now we are in our early 50s.

Prabhakar became a gastroenterologist, and trained at Harvard while Kumar went on to have a glorious career in the Indian army and retired as a colonel!

Despite an explosion of cooking shows and fancy ingredients, unfortunately, home cooking has not seen a resurgence.

Stoves are getting fancier, ovens are getting artificial intelligence, and toasters surf the web but the overall health of the public is not getting better.

One easy way to get to and keep healthy is to start cooking vegetarian meals at home!

No one needs a thousand recipes or a hundred recipes if we master the basics of cooking which include selection, prepping, and applying appropriate cooking methods to bring out the flavors and nutrition.

Traditional foods have a history, they are tried and tested. They have stood the test of time. How can we argue against the simplicity and wholesomeness of rice and beans? Corn tortillas or wheat Rotis paired with beans or dal?

TV shows have made us believe that unless the food is gourmet it’s not worth eating. Simple foods are often the best.