Browsing Tag

vegan

Curry Favor

Vegan Curry Kolkata

January 13, 2026

If you’ve pledged to eat more veg this year, try this Calcutta-style vegetable curry! Dairy-free and vegan, it’s built on an aromatic mustard oil base with loads of fresh curry leaf and other good stuff.  You’ll begin with black mustard seed that you heat ‘til it’s popping, then come the curry leaves, sweet cinnamon stick, bay leaf, clove and cardamom, plus paprika, golden turmeric, ginger, garlic, shallots, green chili, garam masala, coriander leaf & coconut milk.

And of course: The vegetables! I made mine with parsnip and carrot, oven roasted to caramelly tenderness, but this recipe would work with squash, peas, and potatoes, too –whatever your healthy heart desires. You can also vary the heat of the curry by using a hotter or milder chili pepper.

To make the dish, I peel the carrot and parsnip first, then gather and measure all the spices, (laying them out in order of usage) while the vegetables roast. When the curry is nearly done, I get a pot of long grain basmati rice going so I can be sure to serve everything as soon as it’s ready. Continue Reading…

Vegan

Vegan Red Curry with Bok Choy, Sweet Potatoes, Squash & Lentils

April 14, 2025

This veggie laden curry is a favorite go-to for a sweetly spiced and satisfying healthy bowl. I’ve made it either with Thai Red Curry paste, or with Thai Panang Curry paste depending on my mood. Both are hot, red and wonderful. The squash, sweet potato and coconut milk sweetness is balanced with the deep green of the bok choy leaves and earthiness of protein-rich lentils. And the turmeric and ginger in the mix are super-health-boost rhizomes full of anti-inflammatory agents that also add color and tang.

A few helpful notes:  If you use fresh turmeric, wear gloves when grating, or you’ll have bright yellow fingers for the rest of the day!  I used whole red lentils in the recipe, so they would hold their shape, but split red lentils, which cook more quickly (sold as Masoor dal) can be substituted.  For a lower-fat rendition, you can opt for reduced fat coconut milk, but full fat coconut milk or cream makes for a silkier finish. If the soup is too thick once finished, feel free to stir in extra vegetable broth. Continue Reading…

Summery Salads

Summery French Lentil Salad

June 30, 2020

Greens are great, but for savory satisfaction in a summer salad, I love this cool and crunchy lentil and veggie toss. Made with tiny French green lentils, seasoned with spice and simmered to soak up white wine and broth until tender, the salad is finished with the bright crunch of carrot and celery, sprinkled with parsley plucked from the garden, and topped with pretty pink quick pickled red onion. Dashes of Aleppo pepper and smoked paprika go well with the lentils’ natural pepperiness and a dollop of whole-milk plain yogurt adds cool contrast. I often dish this up on its own, with fresh baked bread and some French cheese alongside. But it’s also nice served in butter-lettuce cups. Oh—and the pickled onions are so easy to make! They’ll keep well in the fridge for a full month. You’ll love them on your tacos, too. Continue Reading…