Rajma is the name for red kidney beans in Hindi. Rajma masala is a protein rich, kidney bean curry, traditionally made vegetarian if not vegan (depending on whether dairy or ghee is used). I got this rajma recipe from my law school friend 8 years ago when I first became vegan. She is a great … Continue reading Easy Rajma Masala
My grandmother enjoyed cooking and feeding her family, friends, and neighbors. She loved to host dinner parties and prayer gatherings, and every time, she made this rosewater bundt cake, dusted with powdered sugar. It was her signature cake, served at every "mehmooni" (which means a gathering or party in Persian). My grandmother is one of … Continue reading Persian Rosewater Bundt Cake
I have been quiet lately, dedicating time to reading, writing, reflecting, and soul searching; trying to figure out what I want for my career, my blog, my life. One thing I regret in life is not taking an animal law course in law school. So I bought an animal law textbook to teach myself now. Do … Continue reading Animals and the Law
I’ve heard people say they just cannot give up cheese. People love their cheese. The truth is cheese can be addictive. There are three habit forming compounds in cheese - casomorphins, fat, and salt. Casomorphins are naturally found in all mammal milk, including human breast milk. When consumed, they act as a mild opiate. They … Continue reading Healthy Plant-Based Cheese Alternatives
I love Indian food. I was recently talking to someone who said that she is open to eating plant-based but does not know what to cook. I was a bit surprised considering she is Indian! Whether making home-made Indian food, heating a ready-made Indian dish (Saffron Road is my favorite brand) or ordering from your … Continue reading Aloo Gobi (Potatoes and Cauliflower)
Who doesn’t love a pot pie? Marie Calendar’s frozen Chicken Pot Pies were my favorite in college. I remember eating them for lunch and dinner while studying for final exams and the Law School Admissions Test. Thankfully, I have a delicious, plant-based chick’n pot pie recipe that is easy and perfect for the holiday season. … Continue reading Holiday Chick’n Pot Pie
Love trumps hate; let’s eat cake and celebrate. Today, I celebrate for women. Today, I celebrate for immigrants. Today, I celebrate for refugees. Today, I celebrate for children. Today, I celebrate for Black lives. Today, I celebrate for democracy. Today, I celebrate for science. Today, I celebrate for breaking barriers. Today, I celebrate for human … Continue reading Persian Baklavah Cake
It can be hard to be vegan. Not because I want to eat meat or dairy, but because it can be hard socially. It is intimidating to go against the status quo. Foremost, there is the societal pressure that we need to eat animal products. USDA dietary guidelines advise that we need meat and dairy … Continue reading How my Religion Helps me be Vegan
My 6 year-old daughter Layli loves to cook. Every Friday afternoon, we cook together. She is already planning to take over the blog and started to write recipes for us to share. 🙂 We enjoy making kale chips, cookies, lemonade, vegan Rice Krispies, and veganizing some of my own childhood recipes. These cinnamon rolls are … Continue reading Cinnamon Roll Scones
A challah-inspired, homemade bread perfect for a season filled with delicious stews and comfort foods. Happy Fall, y'all. Challah bread has a distinctive braid, which symbolizes the coming together of family and friends. It is a bread of celebration in Jewish tradition. I love the slightly-sweet flavor, the golden crust, and the symbolism. A perfect … Continue reading Challah-Inspired, Homemade Bread
Does 2020 have you stress eating? Do your kids ask for snacks all day, every day? Well, the answer is yes and yes to those questions in my household. Even when I put my kids in front of the tv hoping to have some time for myself, I invariably hear ten minutes later, "mommy, what … Continue reading Graze, Play, Thrive
Lentils are a legume and a nutritional powerhouse. They are an excellent source of iron and protein. Lentils were traditionally called the "poor man's meat." I like to think of it as the "more mindful meat alternative." Thankfully, my kids enjoy lentils, and we eat it often; yellow lentils, green lentils, brown lentils. This Persian … Continue reading Vegan Adas Polo (Persian Rice with Lentils)
I was recently referred to as an “animal lover.” This took me by surprise. I haven’t thought of myself as an animal lover. Not really. Sure, I love dogs. Baby animals are adorable. But I’m scared of geese; they can be aggressive. I’ve been scratched by cats one too many times. A mouse in the … Continue reading Peace Begins with Empathy
Tahdig makes everything better, even pasta. Macaroni is the Persian version of Italian pasta. The pasta is steamed similar to Persian rice to create a delicious crispy crust (tahdig) at the bottom of the pot. The tahdig can be a potato tahdig as in this recipe or made from the pasta itself. While Macaroni still … Continue reading Macaroni – A Persian-style Pasta
During difficult times, I often think of my grandfather and my grandmother. The challenges they faced. Their strength and resilience. This post is part recipe, part reflection. I had never heard of Shirini Donmarki (a Persian Danish pastry) until my mom made it for my grandma a few months ago. It was delicious, and, like … Continue reading Shirini Donmarki (for my Grandma with love)
I always ask people what is the hardest food to give up when trying to eat more plant-based. I often hear dairy products like cheese or yogurt. Persians, of course, love their kabob. For me, it was definitely hard to give up eggs. I quickly and easily gave up meat. Dairy was initially challenging, but … Continue reading KooKoo Sibzamini (Persian Potato Frittata)
Last week, my kids and I made a gratitude list. We have been reading the book "30 Days to a Better World Starting with Me." One of the days was to make a gratitude list because gratitude brings happiness, and happy people try to make others happy. When I asked my 3 year old son … Continue reading Veggie Thai Red Curry
Kotlet is a Persian pan-fried meat patty. It is generally made with ground meat, egg, and potato. It is eaten warm or cold, plain or in a sandwich, on a picnic or at a dining table. I remember my grandmother often making Kotlet for picnics or as a side to a warm bowl of Ash-e-Reshteh … Continue reading Kotlet (Persian Cutlet)
My mom created this recipe after tasting one of the frozen meals I would buy to eat during lunch at work. 🙂 This recipe, of course, is a better, fresher, healthier version and is now one of my favorite dishes. When my mom cooks for my family, I often ask her to make this dish. … Continue reading Tofu Daal Aloo Mattar
Dolmeh is a stuffed vegetable dish enjoyed in many cultures. I remember growing up, my grandmother always made Persian dolmeh with stuffed tomatoes, bell peppers, and cabbage. My favorite was the stuffed cabbage. The stuffing in Persian dolmeh is generally made with rice, yellow split peas and meat. The meat can be easily excluded for … Continue reading Dolmeh (Stuffed Vegetables)
