Plant-Based India: Nourishing Recipes Rooted in Tradition

Book excerpt: JAMES BEARD AWARD NOMINEE • Physician and Plant Based Artist creator Dr. Sheil Shukla celebrates Indian cuisine with 100 stunningly photographed vegan recipes that utilize fresh, healthy produce to capture the indelible flavors of India “This is wholesome, exciting cooking that just so happens to not include animal products. You won’t miss them.”—The New York Times, A Best Cookbook of 2022 “Cinematically lit, larger-than-life images will have you eating with your eyes long before the dal hits the pan.”—NPR Books We Love India is home to a vibrant tapestry of culinary traditions—and to more vegetarians than anywhere else in the world. It’s also where Dr. Sheil Shukla learned to love traditional Gujarati fare, cooking alongside his adored ba (grandmother) over summers in Mumbai. During his medical training, Dr. Shukla discovered the power of plant-based nutrition to prevent and manage chronic illness—and so began his mission to reinvent the classic vegetarian dishes of his heritage. Plant-Based India presents over 100 completely vegan recipes for shak (spiced vegetable dishes), dal (legume stews), rotli (flatbreads), bhat (rice dishes), and more. From a comforting Palak Tofu that transcends dairy-based paneer, to vegan Nan, festive Navratan Rice, hearty Dal Makhani, and summery Chocolate Chai Mousse with Berries, these are recipes from the heart—filled with nourishing ingredients at their seasonal best.