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It surely matters what ingredients you put in your food to make it flavorful, however, it is equally important to pay attention to which cookware you use to prepare the food in. For your taste buds to truly enjoy the authentic taste of your favorite Indian dish you have been longing for, you need to go back to the basics and prepare your dish in a traditional handi made out of clay. 

For centuries, mankind has depended on clay for building material for a shelter. Clay has also been utilized to illustrate religious origin stories. Most importantly for humans, clay was used as cookware. Pots made out of clay allowed food to be easily cooked over fire, which reduced bacteria and released nutrients. As clay is porous, it captures moisture in the dish and allows it to circulate while cooking. Because of this, food cooked in clay pots is cooked with little oil. 

Cooking in a clay pot is a slow process that requires seasoning the pot before cooking in it. The slow cooking process results in aromatic, lip-smacking, and scrumptious food.

However, as life got busier, people started taking shortcuts in their kitchens and preferred cooking in aluminum and steel for quicker meals. In today’s world, as people are becoming more health conscious and aware of what they put in their bodies,  they are beginning to understand the enormous benefits of clay pot cooking.  One of the benefits of cooking in a  clay pot is that the alkaline nature of the clay lowers the acidic content of the food which makes it easy on the stomach. In addition,  the dishes are more flavorful and have an authentic taste. Due to this,  clay pots have gained a cult following and have become a popular commodity. Some Indian restaurants around the United States are now serving dishes cooked in clay pots such as chicken handi, vegetable dum biryani,  and matka chai. 

What are Indian clay pots?‍

Indian clay pots are earthenware pots that have been used for centuries for Indian cooking. They are unglazed, free of any toxic materials or lead, and are 100% eco-friendly. The cookware is known by multiple names such as handi, matka, and manchatti.

Back in the day, clay pots were present in almost every household-- handed down from generation to generation. In India, the clay pots are handcrafted by local artisans. To this day,  in rural areas and villages,  food is still prepared in handis.

How to season clay pots?‍

Perhaps one of the key factors of clay pot cooking is seasoning the pot before cooking in it. First, wipe all the unglazed areas of the pot and rub it with oil. Fill the pot with water and close the lid.  Place the pot in an oven and turn on the oven to 350 degrees and let it bake for a couple of hours. Once done, let the pot cool completely and store it in a cool, dry place. Seasoning the pot enhances its durability and makes it more crack-resistant.

How to clean clay pots?‍

It is essential that the clay pots are cleaned properly.  Since clay is porous, do not use regular dish soap with water to clean the pots as the soap will likely soak into your pot and food.  Simply, use hot water with a brush to scrub the pot.  In addition, pots can be cleaned with a mixture of baking soda and vinegar. If the pot has tough stains, soak the pot overnight with a mixture of water and a few teaspoons of baking soda.  This will also help remove any odors in the pot.

Indian dishes to cook in clay pots‍

Some clay pot Indian dishes to try are chicken handi, vegetable biryani, chicken korma, fish curry, daal, and many more. Some desserts to try are matka kulfi, matka kheer, sweet matka dahi, and matka chai. 

Clay pot cooking can provide a whole new culinary experience and more authenticity to traditional Indian foods. Once you start cooking in these clay pots, you will surely notice the difference in taste from your everyday meals. If you’re looking to change up the way you eat, we suggest you make room for this groundbreaking item in your kitchen!

Picture this, you are sitting at the hottest new restaurant in town and have ordered the most popular dish on the menu. You heard everyone raving about it, people discussing how great it tastes and how beautifully it's plated and served. You are impatiently waiting for it to arrive and it indeed did. Wow, it looks beyond amazing and you just can’t wait to devour it. But first things first: you take out your phone, position it perfectly in your hands, and snap that Instagram worthy picture. Now, you are ready to have your much-awaited meal. This approach doesn’t seem unusual in this day and age, right--but does taking a thousand pictures of your food until it gets cold sound normal?

On a communal level, food is what connects us back to our culture and values. We associate it with nostalgic memories of our childhood as it attaches us to our families, our city, and our identity. However, in our technologically advanced society, it has now become the norm to display the perfect picture of your meal. You are sure to see a steady feed of food pictures while scrolling through Instagram because everyone is prompt in posting images of the delicious meals they are about to indulge in--whether they are celebrities, popular bloggers, or average citizens.

The Bad That Comes With It‍

An interesting fact is that these food photos posted online are impeccably curated and can potentially trigger food cravings. The lighting around the meal, the camera angles, and the ambiance – all conspire towards creating the impression of a perfectly effortless dish. No dirty dishes or messy kitchen is shown afterward. Chances are, the more you get accustomed to looking at images of the fine faultless dishes,  the less time you would spend cooking the dish yourself. And even if you try, you might get frustrated from not being able to recreate that immaculate delicious glory visible in the picture. According to a study by the Harvard Business Review, this could possibly be the motivation behind why home cooking is becoming obsolete and we have strayed away from the simple joys of having a warm home-cooked meal. Handwritten family recipes were previously regarded as heirlooms passed through generations, but the reasons mentioned earlier could result in a critical change in the way we eat. Either way, home cooking as a pastime is on the decline.

This opens the doorway for another contender, business owners, and marketing agencies who use our annoyance and failure in being able to recreate Instagram food images to their advantage. Their tactic is pretty simple: if you cannot make the food you see, we will make it for you. Restaurant businesses employ food photography to appeal to their consumers, which are readily available on their website’s online menu as well as on other platforms like Yelp. We are able to browse through food places in the area and their appetizing meals within seconds. Apps are an important aspect that acts as third party delivery services and offers a wide assortment of restaurants for users to browse. While it is normal to assume that ordering food through an app also benefits the restaurant, in reality, it only decreases business by diminishing the motivation to dine in. Hence, a decrease in overall foot traffic and revenue. Compelled to join the applications due to the market competition, this downward business trend continues. 

The Good That Follows‍

The expression “we eat with our eyes” stands truer than ever before in times of this bustling online food culture. Social media and food are very prevalent and connected together. Instagrammable food is becoming increasingly popular among millennials as it is nearly impossible to scroll through your social media feed without seeing food-related pictures or videos. The good news is that it now allowing better understanding and communication between cultures. It is also accelerating the conversations around what we put on our dinner table, how it is made, and how it is raised.

The insatiable demands of content featuring food have given rise to online cooking tutorials providing you with the techniques of culinary success, right in your home. It is satisfying to know that an individual can showcase their creative culinary creations on social media and garner international attention. A noteworthy thing to mention here is the accessibility of famous chefs to a wide range of audiences. YouTube, for example, has a decent number of famous mainstream culinary experts who are delivering instructional videos that urge viewers to create meals from the very basic to expert level. It's a stunning asset for getting the hang of cooking and will help build trust in the viewer’s kitchen capabilities as well. And who can forget the magicians with a camera giving rise to an exploding food-imagery trend. They capture tempting food and make it look as easy as pie. Food photography has now become a full-fledged commercial photography genre specializing in taking a mouth-watering photo every time.

Recipes from various cuisines shared through the web are an indicator of culinary cultures across the globe. Analyses of them can prompt a profound understanding of food from a cultural viewpoint. Unique cross-cultural recipes can be created through shared food experiences by connecting individuals with culinary interests from various backgrounds in a way that is informal and fun. Food imagery may have its pros and cons, but in the end, it’s all about forging new bonds with food as the definitive connector.

Indians love introducing their food to other cultures, and rightly so because every part of India has a unique flavor and its own delicacies. The country is described by its assorted variety; an amalgamation of various societies, customs, and ways of life. What characterizes India is its undying love for food items, as its cuisine is not only different in taste but also in cooking methods. Being highly diverse in cultural identities, Indian food is also heavily influenced by religious and social groups. As per the dominant religious belief of the region, the cuisine omits certain ingredients to comply with sacred law. In this blog post, we explore the cuisine influenced by the Moghul dynasty, which constitutes delicious North Indian food.

Due to its origins, the cuisine reflects a strong usage of rich and hearty Moghul elements like: milk, cheese, yogurt, cream, nuts, saffron, chilies, and ghee (clarified butter).

Saffron, one of the most expensive spices in the world, and rich gravies, made from pureed nuts and cream, are all regularly used in Northern dishes. Another commonality are tawas (griddles) and tandoors (clay ovens), which are well known for baking fluffy naan bread, roti and parathas. Puri and bhatura, which are deep-fried thin flatbreads are equally desired. Additionally, famous main courses like Tandoori Chicken are also cooked in the tandoors to create a distinctive smokey charcoal flavor. Although North India is brimming with countless tempting foods, below are our top three picks that are highly popular in the region.

Chole Bhature

Chole bhature is a traditional and delicious vegetarian meal prepared with ingredients easily available in the kitchen. It is cooked mainly using chole (garbanzo beans), wheat flour, yogurt, all-purpose flour and  a mix of spices served alongside a puffy bhatura (deep-fried bread). The dish initially originated from eastern Uttar Pradesh in the northern part of the Indian subcontinent, and is preferred for breakfast and brunch by North Indians. Chole is the name for the bigger and lighter hued chickpea known as Kabuli Chana (garbanzo beans). Kabuli chanas are mainly cultivated in the Mediterranean, Southern Europe, Northern Africa, South America, and the Indian subcontinent. This variety of garbanzo beans originated in Kabul, Afghanistan and was introduced to India in the 18th century. On the other hand, puris originated from the Indian subcontinent. Bhaturas are a popular variant of it, made from all-purpose flour and deep-fried just like puri. It may come as a surprise, but puri has its roots in ritualistic traditional cooking. Anything cooked in ghee was considered pure food as per the Vedic society. Frying, thus became part of the ritualistic way of cooking in early Indian society, and puris found their way onto our plates.

Palak Paneer

Cooked spinach with Indian cottage cheese is a staple in North Indian cuisine. The flavorful curry is infused with Indian spices which becomes a perfect base for pan-seared paneer.  It entices your taste buds and is a much healthier version of a creamy dish.  

The origins of palak paneer can be traced back to Portugal. Many say that the Portuguese introduced paneer with their knowledge of cheesemaking to Calcutta, India. Despite these early origins, though, paneer didn’t make its way into Indian cuisine until the Mughal Empire. The idea of mixing leafy greens with paneer can be traced back to around 2000 BCE, among the days of Ayurvedic cooking traditions where people prepared chopped mustard greens in earthen pots with yak’s milk. With time, the dish has evolved. First blanched and then pureed, spinach is cooked with spices and simmered with paneer on low heat. Cream is then added to contribute to richness and to cut down on the spinach leaves’ bitterness. This fast and easy-to-cook dish can be served with basmati or cauliflower rice and naan bread.

Ladoo

Whether it is a wedding or the birth of a child, everyone loves their all-time favorite ladoo on all occasions and festivals. Varying in flavor and sizes, they are a widely cooked mid-day snack and are also served as a dessert. It is interesting to note that ladoos was originally used as a medicine to calm the raging hormones of teenage females. Used in other cases of medicine, one of the earliest examples of Til kay Ladoo came around 4 BC when legendary surgeon Elder Susruta began using it as an antiseptic to treat his surgical patients. On the contrary to medicinal use, some ladoos like the Shahi Ladoo, were considered gifts from the Persian invasion as it brought in dates, figs and the usage of fruits and vegetable seeds into original ladoo making. The genuine curve in the ladoo story was obviously influenced by the import of sugar during early British times. Alluded to as “Sweet White Poison”, sugar turned the genesis of ladoos into a hot commodity. Many people are not aware of the fact that there are more than 100 different types of Ladoos made with the simplest ingredients and recipe. The main trick is to get the browning of the gram flour right along with a spot-on sugar syrup consistency. Each kind of ladoo is flexible in the recipe where the core ingredients remain the same but one can add more food items, and adjust sweetness levels and ghee proportions. One needs to be careful not to alter the ladoo’s original texture. Notable of the numerous types of ladoos are: Besan, Motichur, Badam, Atta, Mawa, Ragi, Moong Dal, Rava, Till, Poha Gond, Urad, Maladu, etc.

It is an exhilarating experience to know that the cooking styles of India are vigorously impacted by its history, victors, exchange accomplices, and the strict social practices of its masses. Because of the distinctions in atmosphere and soil conditions, the local cuisine in different districts varies enormously from one another, as every area uses spices, herbs, and ingredients that are grown locally. North Indian cuisine, particularly, is perhaps the most prevalent around the globe with its ingredients readily available in major supermarkets as well. Many restaurants in countries like America and the UK thrive on this culinary style of bold spices and opposing flavor combinations. While Indian restaurants are flourishing outside India, they are not solely serving what is viewed as a bona fide Punjabi or North Indian-impacted cooking. Therefore, it is in every case better to explore and see what more the North Indian district brings to the table.

Until the 1990s, there were very few Indians in the top tiers of corporate America. The glass ceiling was broken in the mid-1990s, with the rise of Indian executives in the science, technology, engineering, and math fields. For example, Sundar Pichai became the CEO of Google, Satya Nadella as the CEO of Microsoft, Ajay Banga becoming CEO of MasterCard, and Shantanu Narayen as CEO of Adobe Systems, to name a few.

It is widely acknowledged that Indians have made it big in the STEM path, however, Indians have represented themselves in other industries apart from the STEM field as well. When it comes to aromatic and flavorful food or vibrant and colorful clothing, Indian culture is unparalleled. Surprisingly, Indian restaurants and attires have become increasingly popular in the United States. Additionally, Indians have also received much recognition in the entertainment field. From television drama series and films to comedy shows, Indians have made great progress in today’s era by choosing unconventional careers.

Food:‍

In an effort to offer a variety of cultures and tastes, big name Indian chefs are creating Indo-fusion recipes to appeal to wider audiences. Therefore, having complete Indo-Fusion menus has become a trend for many upscale restaurants in big metropolitan cities like Chicago, New York, Los Angeles, and Houston. Foods like turmeric lattes, naan pizzas, butter chicken, paneer, and biryani are enjoyed among many Americans.

Floyd Cardoz, who recently passed away due to Covid-19, had his own Netflix cooking show titled “Ugly Delicious”, was a chef of the New York City restaurant “Tabla”, and also won “Top Chef Master” in 2011. His restaurant Tabla has received numerous accolades from the press and three star ratings. Celebrity favorite Padma Lakshmi is another popular Indian individual known for her role as a co-host of the reality cooking show “Top Chef.” She has also written cookbooks and a collection of multiple recipes. Lastly, Chef Vikas Khanna of New York City’s restaurant “Junoon” has a long list of his own accomplishments. Junoon has been lauded as upscale Indian cuisine and has also received many awards for its innovation.

Fashion:‍

Additionally, dresses including sarees, kurtis, and jewelry like tikas attract the attention of more than just other desis in the United States. With a strong presence at award shows and premieres, we tend to overlook those who perform right alongside names like Beyoncé and Jennifer Lopez. We’re talking about the outfits that captivate everyone's attention at the red carpets. Competition isn’t just fierce among actors, actresses, singers, and performers, but also amongst fashion designers. Indian designers have made big debuts in the United States dressing up big celebrities for a long time. You’ll always find dresses, gowns, and suits made by Indian designers such as Sachin & Babi, Abu Jani and Sandeep Khosla, Falguni and Shane Peacock, Naeem Khan dressing up famous personalities like Katy Perry, Carrie Underwood, Nicki Minaj, Meta Golding, Michelle Obama, Beyonce, Blake Lively, Demi Moore, Leighton Meester, and more. Another in demand Indian jewelry designer, Rachel Roy, has dressed countless others alone-- including Diane Sawyer, Kate Hudson, Jennifer Garner, Kim Kardashian, Tyra Banks, Penelope Cruz, Lucy Liu, and Wendy Williams. Additionally, apart from red carpets and celebrities, Indian embroidered prints with delicate lace, thread, and stone work have become increasingly popular among clutches, bags, coats and dresses with international brands like Gucci and Christian Dior as well.

Entertainment:‍

Moreover, Bollywood stars have recently had a really big reach within the United States. With actors like late Irfan Khan from Life of Pi and Slumdog Millionaire, Indian talent shone through receiving Academy Awards. Other actresses and actors include Priyanka Chopra from Quantico and Baywatch, Anil Kapoor as a main lead from the hit TV show 24 on Fox Television, and Anupam Kher from Silver Linings Playbook and NBC drama TV series New Amsterdam.

Comedians:

From Lily Singh to Hasan Minhaj, a number of Indian Americans have become legitimate A-Listers in the past few years. Popular Indian comedian Lily Singh started off as a Youtuber, and has successfully built a career as the first South Asian female to host a late night show on NBC called “A Little Late with Lily Singh”. She has recently been renewed for another season. Another millennial favorite comedian Hasan Minhaj was a featured speaker at the 2017 White House Correspondents Dinner, and continues to delight audiences with his own Netflix show titled Patriot Act. He remains one of the few political satirists who are effectively using humor to fill the gap between the society as it is and as it should be. The comedian, writer, TV host, producer and commentator effectively checks lists of all the experiences of a brown kid in America. Minhaj rose to fame with his work on the Daily Show, and from small performances to being on “TIME’s list of 100 Most Influential People for 2019”, he has traveled far and wide. Another popular comedian, Aziz Ansari’s career took off when he starred in NBC comedy, Parks and Recreation. He was also on the TIME list of 100 most influential people in 2016 and had a show on Netflix called Master of None.

In the past decades, we have seen Indians make great progress in representing Southeast Asia in the United States apart from doctors and engineers. This new generation of Indians has recognized that they no longer want to limit their careers to traditional paths like medicine or IT. From food and fashion to entertainment and comedy, they are no longer afraid to take risks and follow atypical methods.

The History and Rise of Yoga:‍

Despite many years of research, we still don’t know much about the origins of yoga. However, we do know that it originated in India 5,000 or more years ago. Some historians connect yoga practices to as far back as around 500 BCE. In the early 1920s, archeologists surprised the world with the discovery of the so-called Indus civilization. This was the largest civilization in early antiquity. In the ruins of the big cities of Mohenjo Daro and Harappa, excavators found depictions engraved on soapstone seals that strongly resemble yogi-like figures. Many other finds continued to show the amazing continuity between that civilization and later Hindu society and culture.

In Mahāyāna Buddhism, the notion of yoga as a spiritual or meditative practice was referred to as Yogachara (Yogācāra). Yogachara involved eight steps of meditation that was known as “calmness” or “insight.”

For a while, yoga was a loose notion, its meaning difficult to pin down. It was more of a notion of meditation and a religious practice than it was exercise as we know today. However, around the 5th century, it became more of an established core practice among Hindus, Buddhists, and Jains. They began associating yoga and its poses around several core values.

The first value involved analyzing one’s own perception and cognitive state-- understanding the root of suffering and using meditation to solve it. The second aimed to uplift or broaden consciousness, and the third involved using yoga as a path to “transcend” bodily pain or suffering. The fourth was using yoga to enter other bodies and act supernaturally — perhaps the strangest and most mystical value of all.

This is also where the difference between “yogi practice” and “yoga practice” is differentiated. Yoga practice essentially denotes mind-training and meditation issuing in the realization of enlightenment, liberation, or isolation from the world of suffering existence, at least in ancient terms. Yogi practice, meanwhile, lies more in the supernatural — i.e., when yogis are able to enter other bodies to expand their consciousness.

In the late 1800s, yoga spread West, and in the 1920s, the “Modern Yoga Renaissance” began. This is where the physical practice of yoga evolved dramatically. Yogis began to pioneer yoga as exercise, infusing them with Western gymnastics, wrestling, and other practices. At this point, traditional yoga contained very few standing poses. Today, yoga is a staple of holistic health and has grown into a massive industry, with an estimated 300 million practitioners worldwide and counting!

Types of Yoga:‍

There are twelve different types of yoga. There is no right and wrong, but whatever fits you and your personality. See the list below.

1. Kundalini Yoga is where everyone wears white to deflect negativity, consists of chanting, singing and meditation.
2. Vinyasa yoga or “flow yoga” is often interpreted as linking breath and movement, where the poses are synchronized with the breath in a continuous rhythmic flow.
3. Ashtanga yoga consists of six series of specific poses taught in order. There is no music played in Ashtanga yoga, and each practitioner moves to their own pace. Each pose and each series is “given” to a student when their teacher decides they have mastered the previous one.
4. Yin yoga is a slower style of yoga in which poses are held for a minute and eventually up to five minutes or more. It has roots in martial arts.
5. Iyengar yoga utilizes multiple props such as chairs, walls, and benches. It is suitable for people of all ages and skill levels.
6. Bikram Yoga is a form of hot yoga and has many set rules.
7. Power yoga is more active and is done at a quicker pace than other styles. It is preferred among those that want to get in a good workout.
8. Sivananda yoga is done in a more gentle form and focuses more on the spiritual aspect associated with the poses.
9. Restorative yoga focuses on relaxing and down-regulating the nervous system. It is easy to drift off to sleep during its poses.
10. Prenatal yoga can do wonders for mothers-to-be. It helps ease pain associated with pregnancies, such as in the lower back or hips.
11. Aerial yoga involves traditional yoga poses with the added support of a strong, silky hammock that hangs from the ceiling.
12. Acro yoga takes familiar transitional poses and changes them up by adding a partner. It develops effective communication skills with a partner, and aids in setting appropriate boundaries.

Benefits of Yoga:‍

Due to its ample health benefits, yoga has grown massively in popularity around the globe over the decade. Yoga improves average quality of life, helps fight depression, promotes better sleep quality, increases body strength, improves breathing, and promotes healthy eating. Yoga also helps with relaxation of the mind and body, increased flexibility, improved energy and vitality, and improves posture.

Yoga is considered an approach to osteopathic medicine. According to the American Osteopathic Association, some of the physical benefits of yoga include maintaining a better body tone and balanced metabolism, improved respiration, energy and vitality, weight reduction, and improved athletic performance. Similar to how different exercises target different parts of your body, there are more than 100 different types, or schools, of yoga, that stretch and flex various muscle groups. Most sessions typically include breathing exercises, meditation, and assuming postures, also called asana or poses. Many people also use yoga as a coping mechanism for anxiety, or to better learn discipline and communication. Yoga has grown to become one of the hottest fitness trends in the United States, and is enjoyed among the highest ranked fitness activities.

How Yoga Gained Popularity in the U.S:‍

As indicated above, yoga is seen as a positive activity for physical and mental health. According to a survey conducted in 2016 by the Yoga Alliance and Yoga Journal, between 2012 and 2016 the number of Americans doing yoga rose from 20.4 million to 36 million. Before, yoga was dominated by women. However, since key findings of the survey included that Yoga is for all ages, there have been more males and older practitioners than before. In 2016, there were approximately 10 million male practitioners and almost 14 million practitioners over the age of 50. This is up from about 4 million men and 4 million 55+ year olds in 2012. Yoga has become an increasing part of American life. 1 in 3 Americans have tried yoga on their own (not in a class) at least once. 75% of all Americans agree “yoga is good for you.” In addition, yoga is strongly correlated with having a positive self image.

The survey also indicates that yoga practitioners live green, eat sustainably and donate time to their community. Moreover, yogis have stronger minds, 86% of practitioners report having a strong sense of mental clarity, compared to 77% of non-practitioners. The survey further shows that yoga practitioners have a more positive view of their capabilities than non practitioners. 80% of practitioners self-report they have good balance and 75% self-report being physically strong compared to 64% and 57% of non-practitioners, relatively.

Yoga as an influential fitness form that is embraced by the West while reflecting positively on its cultural aspects has become widely recognized. It is about acclimating one to his or her individual self — body and mind. Yoga poses can be modified based on your physique, including your degree of flexibility or how you’re feeling that day. It is not about perfection, performing a beautiful pose to show others, or a competition of flexibility. Instead, yoga increases your mindfulness and connection to spirituality. As the famous verse from the Bhagavad Gita go, “Yoga is the journey of the self, through the self, to the self," and everyone should try it at least once.

You know when a certain healthy lifestyle is on the rise, when it gains a cult following of top Bollywood celebs. In the last few years, Veganism has gained widespread popularity, as Bollywood celebs have opted from vegetarianism and veganism to switch to a healthier, and a "cruelty-free" lifestyle. Top celebs like Sonam Kapoor, Kangana Ranaut, Sonakshi Sinha, Amir Khan, and Jacqueline Fernandez have turned vegan and pledged their support towards animal rights.

Veganism is a plant-based diet requiring less land than a meat and dairy diet. With the current pandemic and rising global food and water insecurity due to a multitude of environmental and socio-economic problems, there's never been a better time to adopt a vegan diet. Plant-based living is also a more sustainable way of looking after our planet and feeding our families.

What is Veganism and a Vegan Diet?‍

Veganism is a way of living which seeks to exclude all forms of animal exploitation and cruelty for food, clothing, or any other purpose as much as possible. A vegan diet focuses on plant-based foods and beverages and excludes all animal products. The goal is to eliminate the use and harm of living beings. What’s the difference between being vegetarian and being vegan? While vegetarians still eat dairy and eggs, vegans remove any and all animal byproducts and foods that involve animals in their processing methods. For vegans, not only are meat, poultry, and fish taken off the plate, but so are products derived from animals including honey, eggs, and dairy. 

What Can Vegans Eat:‍

Vegans consume a variety of whole grains including oats, rye, barley, buckwheat, rice, and pasta, as well as a wide array of fruits and vegetables. In addition, foods such as beans, lentils, tofu, seitan, tempeh, nuts, avocados, and seeds like quinoa fuel their body with protein and healthy fat. Finally, vegans can also choose from an ever-growing selection of ready-made vegan products, including vegan meats and burgers, fortified plant milks, vegan cheeses, and desserts. Dairy products can be replaced with plant milks, scrambled eggs with scrambled tofu, and honey with plant-based sweeteners like molasses or maple syrup. Some of the benefits vegans experience include higher energy levels, lower cholesterol, clearer skin, and better sleep.

Hinduism and Veganism:‍

A majority of Hindus are already mostly vegetarian, but veganism is on the rise as people are learning more about animal cruelty. In India, cows endure pain and suffering to produce milk as they eat plastic inadvertently while looking for food. Hindus especially, focus on the treatment and consumption of cows, as they are considered a sacred animal in the Hindu religion. Many Hindu vegans point out that by consuming diary products, one is supporting animal cruelty which goes against the core Hindu values-- as according to the Bhagavad Gita, the lord resides in animals. Hinduism practices ahimsa (non-violence), an important virtue that advocates for the total avoidance of harming all living creatures. 

One of the biggest animal rights organizations, People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA), has raised awareness about the inhumane treatment of animals. The modern food industry keeps animals in closed confined spaces, feeding them antibiotics and hormones until they are slaughtered. 

Thanks to increased animal treatment awareness, individuals are seeing an escalation in veganism and even vegan options in restaurants. Vegan diets have also grown in areas with yoga and meditation retreats and ashrams, such as Goa, Rishikesh and Dharamshala. There are also several fantastic local and international initiatives that have really moved the needle on vegan education in India. The best part about being vegan in India is that it is more straightforward than other countries because they are already meat conscious. You won't find accidental chicken broth or fish broth in things like soup, rice, and curries that seem to be vegetarian. 

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Veganism in the US‍

Veganism has also become popular among non-Hindus. Recent studies have shown that veganism is definitely on the rise in the United States as growing trends like plant-based meals are becoming more widely available. Rising veganism and awareness of the impact of meat consumption are driving demand for meat-free products substitutes. Consumers are also now focusing more on their health and the environment. They are becoming savvier about food ingredients, so offering alternative prepared foods with enhanced health benefits is appealing as a healthy swap. In addition, the production of meat places a heavy burden on the environment - from the large amount of crops and water required to feed the animals, to the transport and other processes involved from farms to our plates. The vast amount of meat consumption is a significant contributor to deforestation, habitat loss and species extinction. Due to consumer demand, restaurants that used to primarily serve meat are now showcasing healthier plant-based options as well. In the future, we are likely to see further growth in veganism as people are becoming more health and animal conscious. 

Indian Vegan Cuisine:‍

Just because vegans can’t eat meat, doesn’t mean their meal options have to be bland and boring.   Essential Indian spices such as Red Chili Powder (lal mirch), Turmeric Powder (haldi), Cumin seeds (zeera), Coriander Seeds (dhania), and Garam Masala, and Saffron make vegan cuisine so much more flavorful. Some famous scrumptious Indian vegan dishes include Chana Masala, Vegetable Biryani, Malai Kofta, Bhindi Masala, Rajma, Dal Palak, Medhu Vada, Pav Bhaji, Masala Dosa, Tofu Makhani, Baingan ka bhurtha, and Bombay Potatoes.

Here is a delicious recipe for spicy aloo gobi (potato cauliflower) that will leave you licking your fingers.

Spicy Aloo Gobi:‍

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PQWcVWrvJ54

Ingredients:

• 3 tablespoons of oil
• 1 medium size chopped onion
• 2 medium tomatoes (blended)
• ½ teaspoon of ginger & garlic paste
• ½ teaspoon of turmeric powder
• ½ teaspoon of cumin powder
• ½ teaspoon of red chilli powder
• ½ teaspoon of coriander powder
• 2 chopped green chillies
• Salt to taste
• 3 cups cauliflower florets
• 2 medium-size potatoes (cubed)
• 1 cup frozen mixed vegetables
• Handful chopped cilantro

Instructions:

1. In a heated oil pan, add onions and stir fry until golden.
2. Add tomatoes and ginger & garlic paste.  
3. Let this mixture cook together for 10 minutes and stir as needed. 
4. Add turmeric, red chili powder, cumin powder, coriander powder, chopped green chillies, salt and saute for a few minutes. 
5. Add cauliflower and let it cook for a few minutes.
6. Add potatoes and stir well and let it cook for a few minutes.
7. On medium heat, stir fry the mixture for about 5 minutes. 
8. As the veggies began to soften, add mixed veggies.
9. Cover the pan and let the mixture cook together for about 15 minutes.
10. Dish out and garnish with cilantro.

Times are tough and everyone out there is getting used to the “new normal”. The busy life we are all used to has somewhat come to a halt and in an effort to flatten the curve, people are practicing social distancing and are spending more time at home. As more people find themselves at home, they’re collectively gravitating toward certain activities in hopes of feeling connected to the outside world even if they might be alone. Quarantine has set off people hosting Zoom virtual parties for happy hours, family get-togethers, and even religious events. Now more than ever, people are working out at home, doing yoga, meditating, and doing many popular challenges originating on the ever growing platform called TikTok to keep themselves entertained. Challenges like the flip challenge, pillow challenge, and don’t rush challenge are gaining an audience around the globe.

Another hot trend that calls out to the many folks missing the main start to their day is the Dalgona Coffee or whipped coffee challenge. This is a great budget and quarantine friendly alternative for people who miss picking up their coffee from their favorite cafe every morning on their way to work. Phenti Hui Coffee aka whipped coffee has been the way to make coffee in desi households for decades. This decadent drink is now also known as Dalgona Coffee. This name originated in South Korea. Thanks to Tiktok, phenti hui coffee or whipped coffee has become the latest micro- trend of quarantine on social media and is receiving its much needed recognition. Wondering how to make this aesthetically pleasing frothy coffee at home? Follow the recipe down below and join the bandwagon! 

Phenti Hui Coffee

Ingredients:
•  2 tablespoons instant coffee
•  2 tablespoons of hot water
•  2 tablespoons sugar (can adjust to your liking)
•  1 cup whole milk

Directions:
1. Combine instant coffee, sugar and hot water in a mixing bowl.
2. Using a hand mixer, beat the mixture for 3 to 5 minutes, or until the color changes to golden brown and the mixture takes on a thick consistency. 
3. Pour milk into a cup and add the mixture on top. This can also be made into a cold version by adding iced cubes into the milk before pouring in the mixture on top.

You’ll definitely want to pair this delicious coffee with an even tastier treat. Chana Dal halwa is an all time favorite in South Asian households and is liked by all ages. Now that you have extra time on your hands and a packet of chana dal in your pantry, you can make this and all of the other scrumptious halwas you’ve always wanted to make for your family. 

Chana Dal Halwa

Ingredients:
•  2 cups milk 
•  2 cups chana dal (soaked overnight)
•  2 sticks butter 
•  2 cups sugar
•  1 tsp cardamom powder 
•  3 tbsp mixed Nuts  

Directions:
1. In a pot,  boil chana dal with milk and let it cook to 30-40 mins or until milk dries. Once done let it cool and put in a blender to make a thick paste
2. In a pan heated, add ghee, cardamom powder and chana dal mixture. Stir until the oil separates.
3. Add sugar and stir again until the oil separates.
4. Once the oil separates, add nuts and mix well. 
5. Take a flat dish and spread it with ghee, spread the halwa with a spoon, sprinkle remaining nuts on top, and cut with a greased knife into squares. 

These trends, which include everything from virtual zoom parties to dance challenges, all share a few things in common. Like whipped coffee, they are easily achievable from the comfort of your home, shareable online, and easily participatory (even though virtually). In today’s time of uncertainty and crisis, these activities bring many a feeling of comfort and joy. This strange time period will definitely be remembered for decades to come. Until then, let us make the most of it by spending time with our loved ones, cooking up new recipes, and relaxing. This too shall pass.

Check out our first part of the Indo-Fusion cuisine blog here!  

Apart from savory main dishes, chefs are now also pushing the envelope with their sweet concoctions. Chef extraordinaires are putting their creativity to the test, experimenting with ingredients, marrying flavors and presenting fusion Indian desserts like never before.  As East meets West, fusion desserts have become the new chic. We present to you the show-stopper desserts and drinks, the ones that hold a sweet surprise and make you marvel at the creativity. The trend is timely, given the affinity and access to global tastes. Indo Fusions desserts such as Ras Malai Cake, Gulab Jamon Cheesecake, Parlee G Ice Cream Sandwiches,  Paan Shots,  and Turmeric Lattes are among some of the masterpieces.  ‍

Ras Malai Cake or Indian Tres leches‍

Let’s start off with everyone’s favorite dessert at weddings, Ras Malai. Ras Malai Cake was the most highly trending dessert last year. It is often compared to the Indian version of tres leche cake. Ras Malai Cake is basically a cardamom flavored cake, the layers of which are soaked with “ras” (thickened, sweetened milk infused with cardamom and saffron). It is then frosted with “ras” flavored whipped cream, sprinkled with nuts, and dried rose petals. Baking this cake alone leaves the kitchen brimming with exotic flavors!  

Gulab Jamun Cheesecake‍

Gulab Jamuns are the most liked mithai in the mithai box. They have fans all over the world, but a Gulab Jamun Cheesecake beats all records. This spongy cake is soaked in sugary rose petals, cardamom infused syrup, and layered with sliced jamuns. Cheesecakes are classic yet elegant desserts, and adding gulab jamuns to it is the cherry on top.  

Parle-G Ice Cream Sandwiches‍

Everyone loves Parle-G biscuits with their evening chai. Now you can try them out with your favorite ice cream as well! Spread your choice of fruit flavored jam on one side of each biscuit. Top of the jam with a scoop of any flavored heavenly ice cream, and join the biscuits together. To make things even more interesting, roll the ice cream sandwich in crushed nuts and enjoy.  

Paan Shots‍

You have most probably seen elders in your family eating paan. Made from betel leaves and areca nuts, paan is widely consumed throughout southeast Asia. A paan shot is a mouthwatering combination of paan and rose gulkand with spices and ice cream. It melts in your mouth and tickles your taste buds! In a blender,  blend betel leaves, paan masala, gulkand (a rose paste), fennel seeds, and ice cream. Garnish with pistachios and refrigerate for an hour before serving.  

Turmeric Latte‍

Also known as Golden Milk or Haldi Dhood, a Turmeric Latte is a warm drink made from steaming milk with aromatic turmeric powder and spices. It is a perfect alternative to coffee, and actually has many magical prolonging life benefits.  To create this drink, blend your choice of milk, turmeric powder, cinnamon powder, a pinch of black pepper, and ginger powder in a blender. Then heat it in a small saucepan until hot, and serve.  Can’t wait to make Turmeric Latte? Check out our delicious full recipe here.

Above listed are some of the top trendiest desserts found in upscale Indo-fusion restaurants. Other famous contenders include: Gajar Ka halwa rolls, Dirty Masala chai affogato, Masala chai gelato, Kashmiri chai cupcakes, and Masala chai macarons. Try out the recipes for yourself or at a restaurant near you, and let us know what you think of these delectable desserts gaining a cult following everywhere.

Just like the high fashion design industry where designers take the next big step and come up with avant-garde fashion, it has become popular in many parts of the United States for big name chefs to experiment with flavors and combine the various cuisines of different Asian countries. 

In an attempt to offer the next best food item and to be more innovative, chefs across the globe are taking inspiration from Indian cuisine and are creating Indo-fusion recipes. Having a complete Indo-Fusion menu has become a trend for many upscale restaurants in big metropolitan cities like Chicago, New York, Los Angeles, and Houston. 

So what are fusion recipes? It is the process of mixing and matching various ingredients from different flavors and cultures to create new and unconventional recipes. In short, it is a mix and match of different cuisines. We all need variety, and fusion is able to provide us with the wide array of tastes we like to have in our food. Fusion recipes provide a modern twist to classic and popular dishes from Indian, Italian, Chinese, and American cuisines by blending them with each other.

Without further ado, let's explore the world of Indo-Fusion dishes:

Indo-Mexican Fusion Appetizers/ Small Plates

• Mexican samosas 
• Chicken Tikka Nachos
• Tandoori Chicken Quesadillas
• Cholay Salsa (see recipe below)
• Fried Paneer Tacos 

Mexican cuisine includes nachos, guacamole, tacos, quesadillas, and lots of salsa. Combining those flavors with those of paneer, tandoori chicken, and samosas makes for a delicious union exploding with spices and flavor. A delicious example includes Mexican samosas, which are filled with ground beef, black beans, corn, onions, jalapenos, and cilantro rather than just spiced potatoes. They are served with guacamole chutney instead of mint chutney. Another example would be chicken tikka nachos, which are made with tasty shredded chicken tikka, plenty of cheese, pico de gallo, creamy cooling yogurt sauce, and a spicy red chili sauce! An alternative option is making tandoori chicken quesadillas by adding cumin powder, coriander powder, garam masala, and chat masala to make the chicken filling for the tortillas. Pair up the quesadillas with cholay salsa, a spin-off of black bean salsa, where chickpeas and spices such as chat masala and cumin powder are used instead of black beans to make the perfect Indo-Mexican dip. And lastly, a vegetarian friendly recipe includes paneer tacos, in which paneer is seasoned and fried to be used as filling in place of chicken or ground beef. 

Indo-Italian Fusion Main Dishes

• Naan Pizza (chicken tikka pizza, saag paneer pizza)
• Penne Makhni
• Hariyali Spaghetti

Italian cuisine is all about raviolis, lasagna, pizza, and spaghetti known for bursting with paramount flavors of basil, oregano, tomatoes, and cheese. Combining these tastes with tandoori masala, red chili powder, saag, cumin powder, and ginger-garlic paste creates a divine concoction, perfect for impressing your guests. Adding toppings such as tandoori chicken, saag paneer, or gyros to the fundamental base of pizza dough, tomato sauce, and cheese is the perfect blend of Indian and Italian. Another twist on traditional pizza is using naan bread as a base instead of pizza crust. It is fast and easy, not to mention still delicious. A third innovative creation is saag paneer pizza, which uses traditional pizza dough and includes adding a sauté of frozen spinach with onion, garlic, ginger, and garam masala, and heavy cream at the end to hold everything together. In addition, penne, pasta, and spaghetti can have an Indian spin of their own. For example, instead of tomato or alfredo sauce, Penne Makhni uses a cream base mixed with red chili powder, tomatoes, ginger garlic paste, garam masala, and fenugreek leaves. Similarly, Hairyali Spaghetti consists of a green chutney base. 

Indo-American Cuisine 

• Masala Mashed Potatoes (see recipe below)
• Masala Grilled Cheese Sandwich

Popular American comfort food includes grilled cheese sandwiches and mashed potatoes. Additional ingredients like red chilis, garlic paste, turmeric powder, and cumin seeds to mashed potatoes and sandwiches can make these foods more enjoyable!

Now that we have introduced you to the world of fusion recipes, which of these recipes is more to your liking? Let us know in the comment section, and stay tuned for the second part of this Indo-Fusion Blog which includes mouthwatering out-of-the box desserts that you’ve probably never heard of before. 

Check out our versions of the Indo fusion dishes for your next soiree.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5DaD9_d-F1w

Quick & Easy Cholsay Salsa Recipe

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XABGLr8t-x0&t

Quick & Easy Masala Mashed Potatoes Recipe

With our busy lives, we always look for ways to cook more quickly and efficiently. In trying to spend less time in the kitchen and more time with our loved ones, here is a list of three time saving kitchen appliances that can help you prepare tasty and healthy Indian meals in no time.‍

Hello Instant Pot, Good Bye Pressure Cooker

If you cook Indian food often, then chances are you’re already familiar with using a pressure cooker. However, a pressure cooker needs to be monitored and is often subject to causing messes, explosions, and even burns or other injuries. An instant pot, on the other hand, is designed with safety mechanisms for safer usage because the heat source is electric. It does not require a gas or a stove, and consumes 70% less energy while still efficiently preserving nutrients in foods. An instant pot is also better than a pressure cooker because it is faster and actually does the job in half the time-- not to mention it’s a breeze to clean up. 

You’ll be able to make more lunches and dinners in a hurry, since it is tailored to replace most kitchen appliances including a steamer, rice cooker, food warmer, yogurt maker, sautéing vessel, and so much more, speeding up the cooking time by 2 to 6 times. In addition, instant pots make food more flavorful; spices seem to infuse better in a closed heated pot than they do when cooking on a stove top. And last but definitely not least, instant pots do a much better job at containing smells. Although the aroma of ginger, garlic, onion, and spices smell delicious, no one necessarily wants the smell on their clothes. 

What Can I Make In An Instant Pot?

‍Here are some recipes to try out in an instant pot: dal tadka, basmati rice, baigan ka bhurta, palak paneer, dhokla, idli, sambar, and more. The list is endless. You can find a recipe for instant dal tadka at the end. 

Rotimatic - An Easier Way to Make Fresh Rotis

‍Who doesn't love homemade rotis? Yet, sweating and toiling in the kitchen to make dough balls and puff them manually is not always feasible. A rotimatic is a robotic Indian flat bread maker. It makes round rotis (whole wheat, gluten free, your choice), and can also make pizza crusts and naans. A rotimatic mirrors human judgment and automatically measures to adjust the proportion of flour and water in real-time, so that every dough ball is consistently kneaded, evenly thin and round. It then roasts each roti until puffed.

What Can I Make In a Rotimatic?

Rotimatics can also make pooris, aloo parathas, methi parathas, onion parathas, gobi parathas, and multigrain parathas with multigrain atta. Fresh rotis can be a great addition to your instant pot recipes.

Air Fryers - Less Oil, Less Calories

‍Along with the instant pot and rotimatic, another kitchen appliance gaining a lot of attention and popularity recently is the air fryer. An air fryer is an appliance that uses hot air and a bit of oil to "fry" food. Air fryers require less oil than traditional fried foods, making them generally healthier than their oil-immersed counterparts. Using an air fryer to cook can cut calories and fat content. With a fraction of the oil, cooking experts say it can "fry" certain foods as well as a deep-fryer. Not to mention, just one deep-frying session can leave your place smelling and feeling as greasy as a fast food kitchen. 

What Can I Make In An Air Fryer?

‍Here are a few delicious Indian snacks and meals you can cook up in an air fryer, while using less oil and without compensating on taste: french fries, fried chicken, tandoori aloo tikka, tandoori paneer naan pizza, samosas, vada pav, charga, tandoori aloo gobi, and many more. As stated before, the possibilities are endless. 

Chances are you may have at least one of these kitchen appliances at home. If not, you should definitely consider buying them because we have a delicious new recipe for you to try down below!

Instant Dal Tadka:

‍Ingredients Needed:

• 1 tbsp of oil
• 1 tbsp of Cumin seeds
• ½ Onion finely chopped 
• 6 Curry leaves
• ¼ tbsp Asafoetida
• 1 /4 tsp Turmeric powder
• ½ tsp Coriander powder
• ½ tsp red chili powder
• 1 tsp salt
• 3 cloves of Garlic
• 1 cup of Toor dal
• 3 cups of Water 

Instructions:

1. Start the instant pot in sauté mode and heat the oil in it. Add cumin seeds, green chili, curry leaves, garlic and asafoetida.
2. After the garlic turns light brown, add the chopped onions and cook for 2 minutes until the onions turn golden brown.
3. Add tomatoes, turmeric powder, coriander powder, red chili powder, and salt and cook for another 2 minutes.
4. Add the washed toor dal and water. Stir it all up. 
5. Change the instant pot setting to manual or pressure cook mode at high pressure for 5 mins. After the instant pot beeps, let the pressure release for 5 minutes.
6. Garnish with cilantro and additional garam masala.
7. IP Instant Daal Tadka is now ready!

In India, festivals are always celebrated with lights and colors, and Christmas is no exception. Unlike some occasions like Thanksgiving and Halloween, which India learned to celebrate more recently, the history of Christmas celebrations in India is perhaps as old as the arrival of Christianity. Granted that Hinduism is the predominant religion of India, the country also has a fairly large population of Christians.

There are over 25 million Christians in India. One of the largest Indian Christian communities resides in a big city like Mumbai. Additionally, many of the Christians live in or have roots in Goa, India's smallest state located on the west. The states of Manipur, Meghalaya, Nagaland, and Mizoram have substantial populations of Christians as well.

‍Mango Christmas Tree and Indian Santa Claus:

‍Like any other major holiday in India, Christmas is also celebrated with multitudes of festivities. Santa Claus, also known as “Christmas Baba, Christmas Tatha, Natal Bua, or Christmas Papa,” brings presents to children. Churches are decorated with Poinsettia flowers and candles. Similarly, people decorate their homes with mango leaves, star shaped lanterns, and manger scenes. They also decorate mango and banana trees instead of traditional Christmas trees to set the festive mood. In Goa, which follows lots of western customs because of its historical connections with Portugal, people like to go caroling around their neighborhoods. They also hang up giant star shaped paper lanterns between their houses, so that the stars float above as people walk down the streets. Mainly, Christmas festivities begin the night before the 25th as families attend Christmas Eve Midnight Mass together. This is followed by a massive feast.

‍Christmas Fruitcake and Consuadas:

‍At the feast, popular Christmas entrees include roast turkey or chicken. Moreover, Gujiya, which is a Holi dish, is also made for Christmas. There are two kinds – keema gujiya and sweet gujiya. In Meghalaya- doh jem (a meat preparation), putharo (steamed rice cakes), jadoh (a rice and meat preparation), and doh sniang nei-iong (a pork and sesame preparation) are notably favorites.

Christmas in India brings also brings with it a variety of desserts as well. Christmas sweets — mainly originating from Goa and adapted in the rest of the country — are traditionally called “kuswar.” They include neureos (small pastries which are stuffed with dry fruit and coconut and fried), dodol (toffee that has coconut and cashew in it), kidiyo (deep-fried curly dough balls dusted in powdered sugar), and sweet dumplings called newrio (stuffed with palm sugar, sweet grated coconut, and sesame seeds). These delicious delicacies are often part of a 'consuada'--a Portguese word for Christmas feast--where people make sweets before Christmas and share them with their family, friends, and neighbors. Desserts also range from rose cookies to deeply delicious multi-layered Christmas fruitcakes. These traditional dense Christmas fruitcakes are an elaborate, labour-intensive process made with coconut milk and flour. Savoury banana chips, crisp chaklis (a round, deep-fried savoury made with lentils), and cardamom and cashew macaroons round up a versatile collection of Christmas goodies.

Many American Indians in the United States celebrate the holiday differently than they would in India. However, regardless of where you are, Christmas is a time for family, friends, and food. And one cannot ask for anything more than to be surrounded by tradition, love, and happiness during this most joyous of seasons.

The frenzy of Thanksgiving is approaching fast! It is one of the many anticipated holidays as it brings families and friends from all around the country to break bread together. It also starts the official countdown to Christmas and New Year. Along with community building and a big turkey dinner, Thanksgiving is everyone's favorite excuse to go on an extreme shopping spree with Black Friday and Cyber Monday sales. Many South Asian families, especially in the States, save up money and gear up for huge savings as they wait to purchase big items during this weekend. These shopping marketing tactics have started surfacing in South Asian countries such as India and Pakistan as well with different names, like “White Friday” or “Blessed Friday”.

Apart from this, Thanksgiving is every foodie’s favorite holiday as they are able to satisfy their year long cravings in one sitting. One of the best parts about being South Asian is being able to add a “desi” touch to Western foods. Since turkey is known to be a bit bland, many people add Indian spices to their turkeys to make it more flavorful, such as Tandoori Turkeys, while others opt out of turkey to make whole tandoori chickens instead. Some even try cooking up new dishes like turkey curry (see recipe below)  and pumpkin and chickpea curry. Additionally, people further “desi-fy” their Thanksgiving feasts by concocting sides like masala mashed potatoes or sweet and sour tomato chutney, instead of the original basic mashed potatoes and cranberry sauce. Check out our new masala mashed potato recipe below. It is guaranteed to be a hit on your Thanksgiving dinner table! Other sides include, caramelized cumin-roasted carrots, tamarind gravy, and Indian-styled stuffed mushrooms. Along with savory entrees, many people deck out their tables with scrumptious desi desserts like pumpkin halwa, cardamom custard, and buttermilk-cardamom pie. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XABGLr8t-x0&t‍

Quick and Easy Masala Mashed Potatoes Video Recipe

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=14a6h5_H7Vk

‍Quick and Easy Turkey Curry Video Recipe

In all the excitement of food, let’s not forget about one of the main sentiments that comes with Thanksgiving, giving thanks. There is always something to be thankful for: the family and friends that make up our support system, good health, the food on our table, a roof over our head, and even the internet that allows us to read this blog at this current moment. In this fast-paced digital culture that can leave us mentally exhausted and disconnected with nature, personal relationships, and our inner selves, practicing gratitude has become more important than ever for our well being. In the wise words of internationally-recognized inspirational speaker Eleanor Brown, “you only have one life to live. Make sure it’s yours.” We’ll never stop wanting more and comparing our lives to others, but if we don’t learn to be grateful for what we have, we’ll never be satisfied. Expressing gratitude goes much deeper than giving and receiving gifts and compliments. It is a practice of being accepting of our changing world, and for being grateful for belonging in it. Practicing gratitude can further strengthen our immune system, help us feel less lonely, and even encourage us to find compassion and generosity toward others. It is the key to happiness and positivity.  

With that said, the Patel Brothers would like to thank each and every one of you for giving us the opportunity to serve you. We wish you and your families a Happy Thanksgiving!