Bhindi masala is a cherished North Indian dish where okra (bhindi) is cooked with onions, tomatoes, and a mix of flavourful spices. It’s the perfect everyday comfort food that goes hand in hand with rice or roti, making it an ideal option for quick and satisfying plant-based meals. It’s the kind of recipe that proves plant-based eating doesn’t mean boring. It can be delicious, wholesome, and incredibly comforting.

If you’re looking for vegan and gluten-free options for breakfast and snacking, Indian cuisine is a great place to start. Especially because it has flavorful and quick-to-prepare dishes like the dhokla. Also known as khaman dhokla, it’s a savoury, fluffy cake made from gram flour and basic spices. This veggie dhokla recipe includes chopped or grated vegetables in the mix, making for a healthier and more satiating meal. It’s soft to touch, easy to digest, and comes together in just 30 minutes — perfect for busy mornings, unexpected guests, or elaborate brunches.

Parippu vada, also called chana dal vada or masala vada, are scrumptious, spiced fritters that are popular around the street corners of South India. They’re crispy on the outside and wonderfully soft on the inside. They’re made from lentils and a mix of spices that make it hard to stop at just one. Whether you dip them in chutney, sip tea with them, or just munch on them plain, parippu vada is a cosy way to start your morning.