Easy Indian Vegetarian: Delicious Recipes for Every Day Giveaway

Enter our US/CA giveaway to win one of three copies of Easy Indian Vegetarian: Delicious Recipes for Every Day by Chetna Makan.

Chetna’s newest book Easy Indian Vegetarian: Delicious Recipes for Every Day takes inspiration from the incredible vegetarian food that India has to offer. From deliciously spiced Gujarati thepla to indulgently sweet balushahi, Chetna’s recipes celebrate the vibrant flavours of vegetarian Indian cuisine.

Featuring over 70 recipes with step-by-step instructions, you can easily recreate your favorite dishes at home. This book also includes a menu planner – perfect for everyday cooking on a busy schedule. Whether you’re a meat-eater or vegetarian, you’ll keep returning to this book for flavor-packed, creative and wholesome recipes.

The publisher is sharing three delicious recipes with our Members to try now and I can’t wait to try these!

Masala rice
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Inspired by the traditional Maharashtrian dish masale bhat, this recipe comes from my kitchen. There are many ways of making this rice dish and people use different combinations of vegetables. A staple in many homes, it uses a spice mix called goda masala, which is essential. I am using vegetables that grow locally to me and have made a spice mix that is inspired by goda masala but is in no way the same, as I am only using a handful of spices whereas many more are used to make the original mix. Enjoy this with some Masala Raita.

For the masala:

  • 2 tablespoons coriander seeds
  • 1 star anise
  • 4 green cardamom pods
  • 1 black cardamom pod
  • 2 bay leaves
  • 8 black peppercorns
  • 4 cloves
  • 2 dried red chillies
  • 1 tablespoon sesame seeds
  • 50g (1 ¾ oz) fresh coconut, grated

For the rice:

  • 3 tablespoons sunflower oil
  • ¼ teaspoon asafoetida
  • 1 teaspoon cumin seeds
  • 1 onion, roughly chopped
  • 2.5cm (1 inch) piece of fresh root ginger, peeled and finely chopped
  • ½ cauliflower, cut into florets
  • 1 potato, cut into 2.5cm (1 inch) pieces
  • 125g (4½oz) frozen peas
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • ½ teaspoon ground turmeric
  • 300g (10½oz) basmati rice
  • 1 tablespoon ghee
  • 700ml (1¼ pints) boiling water

For the masala, put all the spices in a large dry pan and roast over a low heat for 2 minutes until aromatic. Now add the sesame seeds and coconut, and cook for a further 2 minutes. Blitz to a powder in a spice grinder.
In the same pan, heat the oil for the rice over a medium heat, add the asafoetida and cumin seeds, let sizzle for a few seconds, then add the onion and cook for 6–8 minutes until golden. Add the ginger and cook for another minute, then add the cauliflower and potato, and cook for 5 minutes.
Add the peas, salt, turmeric and masala followed by the rice and ghee. Mix well. Pour in the boiling water, cover and cook for 15 minutes. Let the rice sit off the heat for 10 minutes before opening the lid. Serve with Masala raita (recipe below)

Masala raita
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Raita is the perfect cooling accompaniment to an Indian meal. This one has all the ingredients of a great masala; when added to yogurt, it really brings it to life.

Serves 4

  • 2 tablespoons sunflower oil
  • 1 onion, finely chopped
  • 1 green chilli, finely chopped
  • 2.5cm (1 inch) piece of fresh root ginger, peeled and finely chopped
  • 1 tomato, finely chopped
  • ½ teaspoon chilli powder
  • ½ teaspoon ground turmeric
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • 300g (10 ½ oz) natural yogurt

For the Tadka

  • 2 tablespoons sunflower oil
  • 1 teaspoon mustard seeds
  • 1 teaspoon urad dal (white lentils)
  • a handful of fresh coriander leaves, finely chopped

Heat the oil in a pan over a medium heat, add the onion and chilli, and cook for 5 minutes until softened. Add the ginger and cook for a minute, then add the tomato and cook for 5 minutes until softened. Add the spices and salt, and remove from the heat to cool slightly.

Once it has cooled, add the masala to the yogurt and mix together well. Heat the oil for the tadka in a small pan, add the mustard seeds and urad dal and cook over a low heat for 2 minutes. Add the coriander and mix well, then pour over the yogurt and serve.


Corn cutlets (Makai cutlets)
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Quick snacks don’t need to be boring when you have things like these corn cutlets, which are so delicious. I use frozen sweetcorn here, but if you can find fresh seasonal sweetcorn then feel free to use that instead. Adjust the heat to your taste and serve them hot with an equally fabulous chutney.

Makes 12

  • sunflower oil, for deep-frying
  • sea salt flakes, to garnish
  • your choice of chutney, to serve

For the cutlets

  • 1 teaspoon coriander seeds
  • 1 teaspoon cumin seeds
  • 1 teaspoon fennel seeds
  • 1 teaspoon chilli flakes
  • 400g (14oz) frozen sweetcorn
  • 1 onion, finely chopped
  • 1 green chilli, finely chopped
  • ½ teaspoon garam masala
  • ¾ teaspoon salt
  • 50g (1¾oz) breadcrumbs
  • a handful of fresh coriander, finely chopped
  • 3 tablespoons cornflour

Put the coriander, cumin and fennel seeds in a pestle and mortar along with the chilli flakes and crush coarsely.

Put the frozen sweetcorn in a saucepan and cover with boiling water. Let it sit for 5 minutes, then drain. Transfer the sweetcorn to a food processor and blitz to a coarse paste, but don’t purée it. Transfer the paste to a bowl, add the spices and remaining cutlet ingredients and mix well.

Heat enough oil for deep-frying in a large, deep pan to 170°C (340°F) or until a cube of bread browns in 25 seconds when dropped into the oil. When the oil is hot enough, take small portions of the mixture, slightly flatten and fry for 2–3 minutes, turning halfway through, until golden and crispy. Remove with a slotted spoon to drain on kitchen paper and repeat with the remaining mixture.

Sprinkle the cutlets with sea salt flakes and serve them hot with your choice of chutney.

Special thanks to the publisher for providing three copies of this title in our promotion. Entry options include answering the following question in the comments section of this blog post.

Which recipe in the index would you like to try first?

Please note that you must be logged into the Rafflecopter contest before posting or your entry won’t be counted. For more information on this process, please see our step-by-step help post. Once you log in and enter your member name you will be directed to the next entry option – the blog comment. After that, there are additional options that you can complete for more entries. Be sure to check your spam filters to receive our email notifications. Prizes can take up to 6 weeks to arrive from the publishers. If you are not already a Member, you can join at no cost. The contest ends at midnight on September 14th, 2024.

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91 Comments

  • ravensfan  on  July 15, 2024

    Mixed veg kofta curry

  • joannepr  on  July 15, 2024

    Marsala raiti

  • Kriskap  on  July 15, 2024

    Vegetable Kohlapuri

  • lean1  on  July 15, 2024

    Tomato chaat

  • Kristjudy  on  July 15, 2024

    Mixed veg kofta curry

  • miggsy  on  July 16, 2024

    Palak paneer

  • DarcyVaughn  on  July 16, 2024

    Chilli pakora (Mirchi pakora)

  • rlmiller  on  July 16, 2024

    The Mango Slaw looks fabulous!

  • paulabee  on  July 16, 2024

    scrambled paneer

  • offenbach  on  July 17, 2024

    scrambled paneer and peas

  • stahl_amy  on  July 17, 2024

    Masala Raita

  • sarahawker  on  July 17, 2024

    Stuffed peppers (Bharva shimla mirch)

  • dataentrytard  on  July 17, 2024

    I would like to prepare the Banana masala balls first.

  • antpantsii  on  July 18, 2024

    pepper pakora, please

  • sarahcooks  on  July 18, 2024

    No fake meat for me, when I want to eat vegetarian I go straight to the recipes of the people who have been eating vegetarian for centuries!

  • MaineDruid  on  July 19, 2024

    Crispy Spinach–crispy AND spinach? Two of the four basic food groups!

  • roxlet  on  July 19, 2024

    Pepper pakora

  • GreenhouseCheryl  on  July 19, 2024

    Potato curry (Tari wale alu)

  • tucsonsandy  on  July 19, 2024

    Masala Raita

  • Babycarrot  on  July 19, 2024

    Potato curry

  • sciencegeek2003  on  July 19, 2024

    Masala potato balls!

  • rchesser  on  July 19, 2024

    Mango Slaw.

  • porcupines  on  July 19, 2024

    I’d love to try the Masala Potato Balls because I love potato dishes (and Indian food!)

  • rkosully  on  July 20, 2024

    I would first like to make the crispy spinach.

  • acecil  on  July 20, 2024

    tomato sabzi

  • BMeyer  on  July 20, 2024

    marsala raiti

  • crimsonandclover  on  July 20, 2024

    Tomato sabzi

  • elysedc  on  July 20, 2024

    Spinach rice (Palak ki khichdi) or Yogurt rice (Dahi chawal) or or or or…. (I want to try EVERYTHING!) all the sabzis!!

  • CatsintheKitchen  on  July 21, 2024

    Black dal

  • teamkies  on  July 21, 2024

    Aubergine with tomatoes (Baigan tamatar)

  • ChefClaireFVS  on  July 21, 2024

    Potato curry

  • janv  on  July 22, 2024

    Oh, the pepper pakora

  • Shelmar  on  July 23, 2024

    Asparagus dal

  • dzm  on  July 23, 2024

    Palak paneer

  • inflytur  on  July 23, 2024

    Gram flour-stuffed paratha

  • kmwyman  on  July 23, 2024

    pepper pakora

  • hrk  on  July 23, 2024

    Rainbow chard and pea sabzi

  • Laluzdelaluna  on  July 23, 2024

    Masala rice

  • Jrance  on  July 23, 2024

    Sesame, peanut and potato sabzi (Till ke alu)

  • sarahteertzah  on  July 24, 2024

    Beetroot raita (Chukandar raita)

  • artthecat  on  July 25, 2024

    Chickpea curry

  • garrettsambo  on  July 26, 2024

    Mango Slaw (Sam is salad)

  • infoforerk  on  July 26, 2024

    I love Chetna’s flavor combinations! So unique and amazing!

  • Lafauvette  on  July 26, 2024

    Crispy spinach (Palak muthiya)

  • LaurenE  on  July 26, 2024

    Palak paneer

  • debbiehb  on  July 26, 2024

    Crispy spinach (Palak muthiya

  • banba1  on  July 26, 2024

    Chana dal and spinach (Sai bhaji)

  • Su2cool  on  July 26, 2024

    the masala Raita shown in this post is my first choice

  • tucsonsandy  on  July 26, 2024

    Mixed veg kofta curry

  • Ren23  on  July 26, 2024

    Sesame, peanut and potato sabzi

  • eggplantolive  on  July 27, 2024

    Fenugreek and gram flour curry

  • susgo1  on  July 27, 2024

    crispy spinachh

  • chezlarios  on  July 28, 2024

    Potato curry (Tari wale alu)

  • kguddall  on  July 28, 2024

    Masala potato balls

  • BillieJoCooks  on  July 28, 2024

    I would make Asparagus dal first. My husband LOVES asparagus, but claims to not like curry. I believe he would enjoy this recipe and it would change his mind about Indian cooking!

  • Torontocook  on  July 29, 2024

    All of them!

  • Maryd8822  on  July 29, 2024

    Scrambled paneer and peas

  • skvalentine  on  July 30, 2024

    The mango slaw sounds great!

  • WBB613  on  July 30, 2024

    Mango slaw

  • Sand9  on  July 31, 2024

    Coconut Barfi

  • lookitstracey  on  August 3, 2024

    Mixed veg kofta curry

  • ljsimmons  on  August 3, 2024

    Corn Cutlets

  • ChicagoJen  on  August 3, 2024

    Corn cutlets (Makai cutlets)

  • coolasfolk  on  August 5, 2024

    Fenugreek and gram flour curry (Ghegho)!

  • trudys_person  on  August 6, 2024

    Sesame seed paneer fingers (Till paneer) – I love a paneer appetizer!

  • AnnaZed  on  August 7, 2024

    Lentil and onion vada (Urad dal pyaaz vada)

  • Laura1  on  August 9, 2024

    Pepper pakora

  • sayeater  on  August 9, 2024

    Sugar snap pea raita , I haven’t tried this raita variation before.

  • clairew137  on  August 11, 2024

    Marsala Raiti

  • Leonard5854  on  August 11, 2024

    Spinach paneer curry (Palak paneer)

  • JenjiD  on  August 12, 2024

    Crispy spinach (Palak muthiya)

  • oduong930  on  August 13, 2024

    tomato chaat

  • darty  on  August 14, 2024

    Tomato chaat

  • cilantrolime  on  August 14, 2024

    Corn cutlets

  • ktrum7  on  August 16, 2024

    scrambled paneer!

  • roxlet  on  August 17, 2024

    Mango slaw

  • JerseyGirlInGeorgia2024  on  August 19, 2024

    My favorite cuisine is Indian. The spices are delicious and healing at the same time!

  • Giselbl  on  August 19, 2024

    Moong dal with Carrots

  • betsyradelow  on  August 23, 2024

    Corn cutlet

  • davisesq212  on  August 23, 2024

    Masala rice

  • SeasideSuzi  on  August 25, 2024

    Tomato sabzi

  • Jennifer7  on  August 30, 2024

    I would try the Marsala Rice. I have been following Chetna since her days with the GBBO. She introduced me to Indian food and made it seem easy.

  • Karla123  on  September 1, 2024

    Mango potatoes (Keri bateki)!

  • infoforerk  on  September 3, 2024

    all the recipes

  • lindaeatsherbooks  on  September 4, 2024

    Rainbow chard and pea sabzi

  • jbaugher  on  September 6, 2024

    Gur chawal ki kheer

  • shermath  on  September 6, 2024

    tomato chaat

  • KarenDel  on  September 6, 2024

    Lentil and onion vada (Urad dal pyaaz vada)

  • redcurrant  on  September 7, 2024

    Green ginger pulao

  • RSW  on  September 7, 2024

    Black chickpea curry (Kala chana ghugni)

  • rosyannposy  on  September 7, 2024

    Would love to make any of the pakoras.

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