I often combine ingredients at hand to make a quick lunch. Rice with dal, veggies and yogurt has become my set meal for lunch. The combinations change and meals are effortless yet satisfying.

Jeera rice is a quick and easy way to perk up plain rice. If you have cooked rice you could temper it with cumin seeds and garnish with cilantro or deliberately make Jeera rice as decribed. Play with the recipe - add onions, salt, peas.  

I've come to love karela (bitter melon). It's great for health but I love it for its (slightly bitter taste). 

This is a variation of Varan Bhaat (daal rice) is quick easy meal that takes 20 mins of active attention between prep and cooking time. It's one of my go to meals on a cold day or when I want to feel grounded and rooted in simplicity. 

This recipe makes for 2 meals. 

Often I don't have time in the morning to cook things separately. I mix vegetables, lentils and rice in a single pot to have a rounded meal. This particular time, I served it with yogurt and pickles (for an extra punch on a cold day).

These potato patties make for a great snack; the same mixture could also be used to make toast sandwich. Top it with onions, tomatoes and chutney and we have a lip smacking meal. 

I use these ingredients & method for making curries with different vegetables. For example, in this recipe I swap ridge gourd with bottle gourd. 

Often my meals are a curry and rice. Sometimes I make raita to go along with these meals. And, occassionally it is an all out feast with pickle (yes, that's a feast for me!)

Together these take 30 -35 mins to cook. I get the rice going, then make curry and finally, a side. 

This combination is perfect for busy days. 

Yogurt is poured on a bed of broccoli. Here's another exeperiment with raita. 

I often experiment with combinations of spices, salt and raw vegetables for raita. It's hard to go worng. Raita can also have a little bit of sugar in it just to highlight the savory. I often skip it though. My sweet tooth is reserved for dark chocolate!

Yogurt and oats is such a versatile and filing combination. Make it sweet, make it savory; add fruits, nuts, and if you're adventurous make a raita with it!

I like my oats warm and without added sugar. 

Yogurt is a versatile base for many sweet and salty drinks around the world. It is used as a base for smoothies, lassi, ayran, doogh, chaas. Here we explore both the sweet and salty versions from India.

I enjoy making pizza by rolling out readymade dough from Trader Joe's.

Often I make the sauce described below but every once in a while I crush tomatoes, add a dash of habanero sauce, available vegetables & a bit of cheese, and stick it in the oven. It's ready to go in the oven even quicker. 

Raita is a versatile side dish that is a part of Indian meals and makes for a quick dip with chips and crackers

An easy side to go along with many and just one step away from salsa - pico de gallo

Peanut bhel is the perfect accompaniment to chai. It is filling, tasty and easy to make. Always a hit with friends.

I use spaghetti or macroni with this recipe. I prefer to make it without cheese and oregano. 

I like my food spicy; sometimes, I add a tad bit of habanero sauce to the pasta sauce to add a punch. 

Easy to prepare and comforting. I usually pair the soup with a cheese sandwich. 

Sometimes I saute brocolli in butter and add it to the soup for some crunch.