I signed the contract with the Guardian and so began my journey. It started with some difficult first weeks, but winter turned to spring and suddenly two years had passed. I learned many things along the way. The truth is, I was excited to enter this brave new world. Huge numbers of people, growing by the day even then, were choosing to eat a more plant-based diet, whether for political, environmental or financial reasons. Although a relatively small number were vegan, a larger number were trying to reduce the meat and dairy in their diet. This seemed an important discussion and I wanted to be a part of it.

East: 120 Easy and Delicious Asian-inspired Vegetarian and

The tastiest, liveliest, spice-infused fare this side of the Sabamarti river Guardian on Fresh India Meera Sodha's stunning new collection features brand-new recipes from a wide range of Asian cuisines. This cookbook is a collaboration between Sodha and the East Asian and South East Asian home cooks and gourmet chefs who inspired her along the way. There are noodles, curries, rice dishes, tofu, salads, sides, and sweets, all easy to make and bursting with exciting flavors. The author has been teaching Chinese cookery for over forty years and it shows, the recipes are clear, detailed, and Hom is ready to impart his decades of knowledge to you here. Food styling: Emily Kydd. Prop styling: Jennifer Kay. Food styling assistant: Katy Gilhooly. Photograph: Louise Hagger/The GuardianTwo years later, the time felt right to bring all these recipes together in a book. Some are vegetarian, not vegan, because this is, in the main, how I like to eat— and therefore not all of them have featured in my column. With step-by-step guidance and over 75 recipes to help you on your journey, this book will give you everything you need to build a healthier relationship with food. So let's get started: lose weight eating the food you love and give yourself the power to say #itsfine. Wonton wrappers can be found in Chinese or large supermarkets; the sauce is mainly made out of store-cupboard ingredients. Sodha presents low-effort, high-reward cooking. Home cooks, especially those looking to incorporate more vegetables into ordinary meals, will be won over by her personable advice and reassuring voice.” If you love Asian-style food, then East is a wonderful resource if you want to start cooking more of it at home – without the meat. A lot of the recipes are great for time-poor cooks and, although the odd recipe does ask for more specialist ingredients, it primarily caters to those who can only make it to their local convenience store. If you’re looking to expand your repertoire of vegetarian dishes or want to learn a bit more about how to use spices, then East will do that for you.

Best cookbooks 2023: From Nigella Lawson to Ottolenghi 37 Best cookbooks 2023: From Nigella Lawson to Ottolenghi

I generally like to buy cookbooks that cover more than one country preferring books that focus on a single country or food type as I learn a lot more — which does make for a very full bookshelf.Take the cake out of the oven and leave to rest for exactly one minute, then place a sheet of baking paper over the top, followed by a large chopping board. Using oven gloves, turn the cake over and gently remove the tray. Carefully peel off the now top piece of baking paper and replace with a new sheet just slightly larger than the cake. First, make the batter for the pancakes: put the rice flour, salt, turmeric and egg into a bowl and mix together. Add the coconut milk and 175ml of water, whisk until you have a smooth batter, then leave to one side. The complete introduction to the schools of Chinese cooking and how history has greatly impacted Chinese cuisine leaves you fascinated and want to learn more. A vibrant plant-based cookbook from the Guardian 'New Vegan' columnist and award-winning author of Fresh India What I thought: I have always been reluctant to make my own pad Thai at home just because I can never turn the tofu into that crispy, chewy goodness that you get in restaurants and I often get the sauce to noodle consistency a little off – but this recipe from East is a game changer.

Cook from the Book: EAST by Meera Sodha - The Happy Foodie

As an outsider, I thought I could be more inventive. I understood meat-eaters and knew the textures, flavours and “richness” they might miss. I had also spent two years writing a vegetarian Indian cookery book; I knew how to make bitter cavolo nero leaves sing and how to tempt a beetroot-hater into eating a plateful. The book is divided into 11 sections; you can search by a specific meal such as salads, noodles and curries or take inspiration from the ingredient-lead sections for recipes with rice, tofu, pulses and eggs. Since Chinese takeaway is a very different beast to standard Chinese and Cantonese cuisine, then it seemed fair to include this for those wanting to make their takeaway favourites at home! Inspired by a dizzying range of Asian cuisine, Meera Sodha leads foodies on a meat-free expedition, taking in everywhere from Thailand and Japan to Singapore and India i Best Cook Books of 2019From beautiful breakfasts, midday lunches and staple recipes you won't live without again, to tips for the perfect saucepan of rice, your favourite middle of the table curries, vegetables, side dishes and sweets, you'll be confident in cooking extraordinary family food, filled to the brim with easy-to-achieve flavour. Whether you're a newbie or an air fryer fanatic, enjoy these 75 delicious, inexpensive, healthy dishes guaranteed to save you time, energy, and money! Modern, vibrant, fuss-free food made from British ingredients but with an Eastern slant, East is a must-have whether you're vegan, vegetarian, or simply want to eat more delicious meat-free food. Along with amazing meals to make any time of the year, The Witch’s Cookbook features “Witch Tips” that offer additional spells and blessings for your home and hearth. From breakfast to dessert and everything in between, The Witch’s Cookbook is sure to be your cooking companion for every solstice, full moon, and magical day of the year! When you are ready to serve, cut the roll into 9 or 10 even slices. This will keep in the fridge for two days, but is best eaten that day.

The best vegetarian cookbooks 2023 | BBC Good Food The best vegetarian cookbooks 2023 | BBC Good Food

Whether you're an air fryer fanatic or brand new to these fabulous time and money-saving kitchen appliances, Bored of Lunch will revolutionise your cooking with the all-new Healthy Air Fryer Cookbook. Full of delectable, mouth-watering dishes . . . we guarantee you'll be devouring the entire book in no time Stylist on Fresh India There are no frighteningly long ingredient lists or recherché spices - just simple recipes that really work. It's become my go-to Indian cookery book The Times (Books of the Year) on Made in India But oh my! did they ever taste delicious. The tomato tart not only looked a jewelled tile but it tasted extraordinary – underneath a layer of tomatoes and a layer of onions lurked an incredibly subtle and delicious pistachio paste, which when cooked together with the other ingredients was just a fantastic mouthful.To serve, place a small handful of the salad in the middle of the pancake and roll up. Serve with the extra sauce on the side. Inspired by the dishes that Si and Dave loved to eat growing up and that they cook with their families now, this is comfort food at its best. Recipes that are guaranteed to deliver on flavour, even when you're short on time, all made with readily available and affordable ingredients. Real, everyday food to enjoy and share.