The world is slowly turning to the lifestyle alternative that Indians have been practising for ages: choosing a primarily vegetarian diet. A plant-based diet is great to beat a whole lot of lifestyle diseases, from obesity to Type 2 diabetes and heart disease. Read on for some veggie recipes that are sure to floor even the most committed meat-lovers.

Pommes Gratin

Who says vegetarian has to be boring? Try this cheesy, creamy dish that could become a weekly dinner special, both for its yummy factor as well as for the ease of making it.

Serves 2

You’ll need:

• 2 tsp + 2 tsp butter
• 1 cup cream
• 1 tsp thyme
• 2 cloves of garlic, crushed
• Salt, to taste
• Pepper, to taste
• A pinch of nutmeg powder
• 3 potatoes, thinly sliced
• 5 tbsp Cheddar or Gruyere cheese, grated

How to prepare:

• Mix 1 cup cream with 2 tsp butter in a pan.
• Throw in the thyme, garlic, nutmeg, salt, and pepper. Cook on low-medium heat until the cream reduces a bit.
• Now, stir in 3 tbsp cheese and add the potatoes.
• Cook till the cream thickens further and covers the potatoes well.
• Grease a baking dish and add the creamy potatoes. Add the remaining butter and cheese on top.
• Bake at 200°C, until the cheese melts and turns golden brown in color.
• Serve hot.

Samosa Stuffed Peppers

It’s one of those nights that you have a craving for street food but you also know you have to eat healthily. This is one recipe that can satisfy your cravings while helping you stick to your diet plan.

Making 8 serves

You’ll need:

• 4 red bell peppers (large)
• 2 tbsp vegetable oil
• 1 large onion, diced
• 4 tsp curry powder
• 1 tbsp garam masala
• 2 tsp ginger, grated
• 1 cup basmati rice
• ¼ cup red lentils
• ½ tsp salt
• 1½ cups chickpeas, cooked
• 2 large carrots, chopped fine
• 1 cup green beans, diced
• ½ cup raisins, optional
• ½ cup peanuts or cashew nuts, chopped

How to prepare:

• Preheat oven to 180°C. Halve the bell peppers and place them in a baking dish, cut side facing down. Cover with a foil and bake for 25 minutes. Check if the peppers have softened.
• Pour oil into a saucepan. Once it heats up, add onion and stir for 5 minutes until it starts to soften.
• Now, add the garam masala, curry powder, and ginger. Cook for a minute, stirring well.
• Add 4 cups of water, salt, rice, and lentils, and mix well.
• Throw in the green beans, carrots, chickpeas, and raisins. Cover the saucepan with a lid, and bring it to a boil.
• Once it boils, lower the heat and simmer until the water evaporates, stirring occasionally.
• Remove from heat and add the peanuts. Check the seasoning and add salt, if needed.
• Fill each half of the bell pepper with the rice mix (about ¾ cup each).
• Cover the baking dishes with foil once again. Bake for 15 minutes more at 180°C. Bake uncovered for 5-10 minutes.