Good Things On My Plate this month
Good Things On My Plate this month
because there are still some good things in this world
It’s a glorious sunny fall day in NYC as I write this - but it feels jittery, with a Friday the 13th kinda vibe. While this should be the run-up to a joyful holiday season, I know so many of you are hurting, and my heart is with you. I hope food brings you some comfort.
The first half of October went by in a whirlwind of kindergarten applications, a family trip and and some fall colors. I may have to revert to my 2-week schedule this fall, as things are heating up for year end and special projects are being planned for 2024 (more soon). But I promise you that every issue will pack double the punch! If you missed my weeknight meal plan that I sent out earlier in the month, go get it here. I hope you enjoyed what you tried and found the shopping list and tips useful. I am tinkering with the format and developing your November recipes right now - so tell me below in the poll if you’d like to see more.
Thanks for your feedback! Here are some good things to tide you over the next couple of weeks.
For your shopping list
Recipes for the Indian festive season
Sundal - One of my favorite ways to consume beans is Sundal, which is a legume stir-fry made with chickpeas, moong beans, peanuts or other legumes. It is served daily during the Hindu festival of Navaratri, is celebrated for 9 nights around India (starting this weekend) and is a celebration of feminine divine power. The legume preparations are collectively known as 'Sundal' and a different legume is prepared each night as an offering to the gods and also served to family and friends. You can find the recipe using chickpeas from my cookbook here and another variation using moong beans here.
Diwali - Coming up in mid-November. I encourage you to host a v8well chaat party! Get the recipe for the Cucumber Papdi Chaat from my cookbook (page 84), and seasonal variations using Brussels Sprouts, pomegranate and masala pecans here, and a Sweet Potato and Edamame Papdi Chaat here. The high-protein Bhel Puri is also bound to be a hit
A collection of Madhur Jaffrey Recipes from Food & Wine
Pasta
Food 52’s best vegetarian pasta recipes
Salad
Sauteed Eggplant and Chickpea Salad from The Yummy Bowl
Ottolenghi’s Lentils, Radicchio, and Walnuts With Manuka Honey on Simply Recipes
Some ideas
People ignore these hidden design features every day from Lifehacker. The pasta spoon one is my favorite!
High protein grains to add to your pantry from Eating Well
The trick to using tofu as a cream cheese substitute from The Daily Meal
Social Media Roundup
Kale Salad
Cauliflower Cake
Roasted Cauliflower Salad
Tofu Roti!
Cheese Boats - Change up the fruit to apples and figs, maybe add some pesto (an apple slice + pesto is delicious!). I also love the Raincoast Crisps.
Birthday cake
It’s my birthday today and cake is on my mind!
Prantl Bakery’s Burnt Almond Torte - ok this one is not exactly v8well-ified (hmm it has almonds!) but it’s my absolute favorite cake in the world. We usually order it on Goldbelly.
Sweet Laurel Bakery - If you’re looking for grain free, refined sugar free and dairy free cakes, Sweet Laurel Bakery is really good. I love their Clementine Olive Oil Cake (they sell it every year around September).
Cookbook News
I’m excited to partner with the Phipps Conservatory in Pittsburgh to teach an exclusive cooking series from The Vegetarian Reset! These are virtual cooking classes so anyone can sign up. The first class is next week on October 17, 6-8pm and we’ll be making a couple of Indian recipes to kick off the festive season. See the full schedule and sign up below!
The Vegetarian Reset: Plant Forward Recipes from Around the World | Vasudha Viswanath
Navratri & Diwali Special: Cucumber Papdi Chaat & Sundal | Vasudha Viswanath | Oct. 17 | 6 - 8 p.m.
Thanksgiving Special: Vegetarian Shepherd's Pie | Vasudha Viswanath | Nov. 14 | 6 - 8 p.m.
Gluten Free Baking: Hazelnut Brownies & Almond Flour Cookies | Vasudha Viswanath | Dec. 12 | 6 - 8 p.m.
Join my cookbook group here on Facebook and share your pictures as you cook along from the book! You can also ask questions about recipes and I will help in any way I can.
Starting now and for the rest of the holiday season, I will mail you an autographed bookplate (it’s a sticker that will make your gift a signed copy) if you would like to gift a signed copy of The Vegetarian Reset to a loved one. I am also happy to mail it internationally but please allow enough time to get it by snail mail. I don’t brag often (or do I?), but this book makes a gorgeous gift and looks equally at home on your coffee table or dog-eared in your kitchen. It was the #1 new release in Vegetarian Cooking and Low Carb Diets on Amazon earlier this year, in addition to being on Glamour Magazine’s list AND Tasting Table’s list of best vegetarian cookbooks!
🍏Respond to this email to request a bookplate, along with the name of the giftee and your address! Please note, you will have to buy the book yourself - you can use one of the links in the footer of this email or stop by your favorite bookstore.
PS:
I’m looking for some insight: Do you struggle with cooking low carb vegetarian food and meal planning? If yes, I would LOVE to chat with you. I'm working on launching an online course with tutorials on low carb vegetarian cooking techniques (think cauliflower rice, gluten-free baking, smoothies), meal prep and planning, customizing for macros, etc. If this is something that you have grappled with - I'd love to have a 20 minute conversation with you to understand your pain points. In return I'm happy to send you a free copy of my cookbook (or a different one if you already have mine)! I’m looking for 3-5 people. Please respond to this email and I’ll send you a calendar link to schedule a mutually convenient time.
See you in 2 weeks with my November Weeknight Simple meal plan! XOXO