Sautéed Green Beans (Aloo France Beans)

For Thanksgiving, instead of the familiar green bean casserole, this easy to make green bean and potato sautéed dish is a great substitute for something different, delicious, nutritious, and healthy.

Fire Roasted Eggplant (Baingan Bhartha)

Smoked eggplant is one of my favorite Indian dishes, and is fun to make, although it might make a small mess on your stove! This dish can be served as an appetizer along with lightly toasted wedges of pita bread.

Quinoa Cashew Pilaf
(Kid favorite!)

This tiny, nutritious,  gluten-free protein-packed grain is all the rage, especial among mothers of vegetarian children.  I cook it with tempered cumin seeds, vegetables and cashews and often pack it for my daughter’s school lunch.

Rice and Lentil Porridge (Kichidi)
(Kid favorite!)

To this day, if I complain of a tummy ache, my mom will suggest a light and nutritious meal of kichidi and a side of plain yogurt.  In India, this rice and lentil porridge dish is also a common choice for older people and babies, both of whom need light meals that don’t require chewing, go down easily and are light on the stomach.