Avocado Lime Tart

Whether you are simply craving a little sweetness or looking for a dessert idea for a special occasion, look no further than this refreshing no-bake avocado lime tart with fresh lime juice and delicious crust made from dates, coconut, and almond butter—it's all vegan too. Incredibly easy to make, all that is needed is a springform pan and a food processor to make this light and not overly sweet creation. And yes, a bit of patience is required, because the tart needs to chill in the fridge for at least five hours before serving to allow the ingredients to set, but it's well worth the wait, and your guests won't be disappointed either.

Chana Masala with Fresh Mint

Undoubtedly one of the most popular north Indian vegetarian curries is chana masala. Chana means chickpeas, and masala refers to a blend of spices. Though there are countless variations, the basic elements are onion, ginger, chilies, and—of course—chickpeas, simmered in an aromatically spiced tomato gravy. For this version, I've included fresh mint for an additional layer of flavor that complements the tangy and aromatic qualities in the dish. Chana masala also has the additional benefit of being easy and relatively quick to prepare. It is best served with fresh cooked Basmati rice, your choice of Indian flatbreads, and a vegetable side for a complete and satisfying meal.

Mixed Vegetable Pilaf

Rice dishes are pretty much an essential accompaniment to any Indian meal, and this attractive pilaf loaded with a variety of vegetables steps things up a few notches. It's also a good way to use up any extra vegetables you may have on hand. The method of making a pilaf involves sautéing aromatic seeds and onions, followed by the rice for a few minutes, before adding the stock or water, and then, in this case, the vegetables. Take care not to stir the rice while cooking, only simmering it at a low temperature until the liquid is absorbed to make sure the tender grains don't break apart and your final product is a nice fluffy rice dish.

Spiced Lentil Sambusas

Sambusas are perhaps best described to those familiar with Indian cusine as like samosas, without the addition of potatoes and peas. Somalian in origin, these little appetizer parcels are wrapped in thin pastry, sometimes with rice paper, or spring roll wrappers, and are commonly filled with ground beef, vegetables, and spices. Usually fried, I offer up a baked vegetarian version stuffed with lentils, vegetables, and mushrooms cooked in a delightful red gravy featuring an array of hot spices, notably the classic Ethiopian berbere spice blend. I've used wonton wrappers instead of opting for my own pastry to speed up the preparation time. Though these are commonly served as appetizers, they are quite filling, so depending on what else you serve, you might want to consider them as a substantial side.

Hot Pepper Relish

One can never have enough recipes for condiments as they are an easy way to enhance and add flair to any number of foods. As I am a big fan of savory appeitzers, condiments are pretty much essential in my kitchen—and for me, that usually means a spicy condiment.

Lebanese Spicy Potatoes (Batata Harra)

There are never enough recipes for potatoes, and this Lebanese side dish—batata harra, which translates to spicy potatoes—is quick and easy to make and quite simply delicious. Though commonly pan-fried, for a slightly healthier and cleaner alternative, I've roasted them in the oven. Besides, roasted potatoes are one of life's simple pleasures. The warming heat in these potatoes is not overwhelming, and with a splash of fresh lemon or lime juice for a citrusy tempering and the complement of the spices and herbs, they make for a hearty side to serve with your favorite middle eastern mains.

Tempeh Salad

Made from fermented soybeans, tempeh is a traditional Indonesian food that serves as a complete protein, containing all nine essential amino acids. But its presence in my kitchen is mostly because of tempeh's versatility and adaptability to all kinds of flavors and ingredients. A quick bake or fry adds further to the delightful texture of this wholesome food. Because of this versatility, it's commonly found in most grocers these days.

Indian-Style Chickpea Koftas in a Roasted Red Pepper Sauce

Koftas, which for a vegetarian are little Indian-style "meatballs", often made with paneer cheese, potato, legumes, or a variety of other vegetables, have long been a favorite in my kitchen. Served up in a delectable spicy and fragrant gravy, these chickpea and brown rice koftas are inspired by authentic Indian cooking but include such non-traditional ingredients as quinoa and pecans, and don't include paneer cheese to make them vegan-friendly too. Loaded with protein, these little delights are then served in a spicy and creamy roasted red pepper sauce. Though this recipe has a number of steps, it is well worth the effort and a satisying meal you won't soon forget. This creation is now a new favorite that I have added to my repertoire of treasured dishes.

Fruit and Nut Muesli Bars

Energy bars are an excellent staple to have on hand for a quick breakfast or for mid-morning or afternoon snacks. I tend to avoid packaged foods these days due to the unknown quality of the ingredients, the number of additives that are often present, the usually excessive sugar, and the price. But making up a batch of bars using simple quality ingredients is a healthier and more economical option. Take these easy to prepare fruit and nut bars, for example. Well worth the effort, these protein-rich bars keep well for a couple of weeks in a covered container in the refrigerator, assuming that they'd last you that long. All you need is a food processor to pulse the ingredients together, an oven, and a baking pan. Feel free to experiment with a different combination of nuts and fruit, or use peanut butter instead of almond butter, for a varied flavor profile.

Green Peas Simmered in a Tomato Coconut Sauce

Just in time for fresh local garden peas, I bring you a delightful protein-rich earthy curry that can be made any time of the year because frozen peas will work well too. A delightful array of flavors are featured here — spicy, aromatic, sweet, tangy, and sour, with a hint of bitterness from the addition of fenugreek leaves. For those that make Indian creations on a regular basis, as I do, most of the ingredients are staple pantry items, making planning ahead even easier once you obtained your fresh produce.

Aloo Methi (Potatoes with Fenugreek Leaves)

One can never have enough recipes for potatoes, and for those who like to cook, they are one of the most versatile and inspiring vegetables to cook with. In my kitchen, I specialize in Indian creations, so accordingly, I offer up yet another Indian classic. If you aren't familiar with aloo methi, you'll be happy to discover this treasured, easy-to-prepare pan-fried, dry-textured vegetable side dish.

Ethiopian Cauliflower, Potatoes and Carrots (Wot)

Wot is a magical gem of Ethiopian cuisine. Meaning stew, wot varies in texture from thin to thick, and also ranges from spicy hot to mild on the heat spectrum. The spicy sauce for wot, known as kulet, is generally made first and then followed by the addition of the main ingredients for the stew, and this is all simmered together until thickened and cooked throughout. The main features of the kulet are onions or shallots, oil and seasonings.

Awaze (Ethiopian Hot Sauce)

Awaze is an Ethiopian hot sauce featuring berbere, a distinctive hot, peppery, and aromatic spice blend consisting of an array of spices, seeds, and herbs, most commonly chilies, fenugreek, holy basil, paprika, coriander, cardamom, allspice, cumin, peppercorns, cloves, cinnamon, and ajwain seeds. Additional ingredients are included to round out this incredibly easy-to-make no-cook condiment for a balance of heat, sweetness, and bitterness. Traditionally, awaze includes mitmita, another Ethiopian spice blend (here I've used just berbere spice powder as it's readily available in many stores worldwide), and t'edj, a sweetened honey wine, although gin, whiskey, or red wine serves well as a substitute.

Red Pepper and Potato Masala

Potatoes are a treasured addition or feature of almost any meal, and the quick and easy preparation for this colorful side to accompany other Indian dishes is one that you may find yourself turning to often. This combination is simply delicious in its own right, with the addition of fresh red bell pepper and an array of treasured spices that those of us who regularly enjoy cooking up Indian creations with likely have on hand.

Simple Green Curry Rice

Hot fresh cooked rice is something I actually enjoy on its own, but I do usually dress it up a little to go with meals. Because I focus so much time and energy on the main dish of my meals, I'm always thinking of quick and easy ways of to lend flavor and elegance to even a humble pot of rice. After all, even if the rice isn't the starring dish on the menu, as a side it can shine just as much as the main dish with a little love and attention … and seasoning.

Stuffed Eggplant with Paneer and Chickpeas

Eggplant is one of my favorite vegetables to work with, and also, I think, one of the more under-appreciated ones in this part of the world, despite its popularity in many cuisines around the world. When I was growing up, family meals always featured vegetables, but eggplant never once made an appearance. Unlike other vegetables, it does not have much flavor one its own, but the beauty of eggplant is that, when prepared with some love and attention, it takes on the flavors of what it is combined with and then really shines in its own right.

Strawberry Jam Truffles

Homemade treats are always far superior to store-bought versions. Apart from the ability to control the quality of your ingredients, you'll deliver up positive energy with food made with your own hands in your own kitchen — as a friend remarked, homemade treats made with good quality ingredients feel "alive". And despite what many might think, homemade truffles are remarkably easy to make, with no special equipment needed — all you need is a little bit of patience to let the ingredients cool before handling the mixture, and with the slight messy process of shaping the truffles into the final bite-sized version.

Saffron Biscuits

One of my favorite ways to fill out a meal is to serve some hot-from-the-oven homemade biscuits alongside the central components. These buttery saffron bisuits would go nicely with any variety of entrées as they are free of overpowering tastes but instead feature the complementary and subtly sweet earthy flavour of genuine saffron. A flowery gem that is also quite costly due to the intensity of the labour involved, thankfully only a small amount is needed for colour and flavour.

Roasted Root Vegetables in a Madras Sauce

A well-balanced diet of legumes, grains, and a variety of vegetables is your best defense in maintaining optimal health and to treat a variety of conditions. Too often doctors are quick to prescribe pharmaceuticals which often only serve to mask conditions rather than treat the underlying causes of poor health, not to mention the side effects which can lead to more problems.

Green Curry Potato and Mushroom Soup

There's nothing quite as comforting as a hot bowl of homemade soup on a cold winter's day, and if you're looking for a simple and hearty soup with a little kick, this aromatic cream of potato soup with shiitake mushrooms is seasoned with green curry paste for a delightful vibrant and zesty flavor. I make my own green curry paste from scratch as it is easy to make and lends an unbeatable fragrant freshness and pungency to the taste experience, but if you opt for a storebought paste to make things even easier, just taste ahead of time to adjust the seasoning in the soup to your own preference for heat.

Buckwheat and Wild Rice Soup with Mushrooms

After the holidays, with much rich fare on our menus, many of us are craving lighter meals. With January tempatures, warming soups are a natural choice. And, lighter meals can be just as satiating, as this bowl of comforting mushroom soup with nutty kasha, wild rice and potatoes, along with herbs and aromatic spices illustrates nicely. With the addition of creamy coconut milk and some red lentils, this is a balanced bowl of goodness. For a particularly satisfying and filling meal, serve with some crusty bread, such as Rustic Sun-Dried Tomato Bread or Rustic Herb and Olive Bread with Reishi.