Deepa’s Secrets: Slow Carb New Indian Cuisine

Winner of the 2018 James Beard Foundation Book Awards * Winner of the World Gourmand Cookbook Awards * Finalist for the IACP Awards *Shortlisted for the NCIBA Book Awards, Best Cookbook.

Both cookbook and memoir, Deepa’s Secrets introduces breakthrough slow carb and gut-healing recipes that are simple to make and nutrient-packed, all without sacrificing its rich South Asian flavors. On a mission to demystify and make healthy an “exotic” cuisine, Deepa shares shortcuts and techniques that will make “New Indian” everyday fare.

The following recipes are courtesy od Deepa’s Secrets published by Skyhorse Publishing.

Avocado, Tomato, and Plum Salad

My mother used to say, “Intelligence is the capacity to adapt to the unexpected.” (She still managed a frown at my bad report cards.) That’s the plum in this dish—I’d never had one until I came to this country. The unexpected ingredient wakes up the palate in this smart little salad.

SERVES 4

Dressing:

  • ½ teaspoon Ginger Garlic Paste
  • ½ yellow onion, minced
  • 1 tablespoon fresh lime juice
  • ½ teaspoon wild honey
  • 1 jalapeno, minced
  • 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
  • ½ teaspoon cumin seeds, toasted and ground
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • ½ teaspoon fresh ground black pepper
  • 2 avocados, sliced
  • 1 large tomato, sliced
  • 1 plum, sliced

Crowning flavor:

  • 2 tablespoons cilantro, stemmed and finely chopped
  • 4 mint leaves, roughly torn
  • 1 teaspoon chaat masala
  • 1 cup toasted crumbled walnuts

Whisk dressing ingredients together in a glass bowl. Check seasoning and set aside.

On a platter, mix tomato, avocado, and plum slices gently. Drizzle the dressing on top.

Crowning flavor: Sprinkle chopped cilantro, mint leaves, and chaat masala on top of the salad. I sometimes sprinkle with Go Nuts! or a handful of toasted crumbled walnuts.

Mango Lassi

A lassi is the perfect summer refresher. In New Delhi, they were usually savory—yogurt-based with smashed cumin seed, fresh curry leaves, a little salt, served on the rocks. You can get a sweet lassi in India, but this recipe is a closer cousin to the American smoothie.

Mango Lassi

  • ·4 cups fresh or canned mango pulp 
  • 2 cups Greek yogurt
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 2 teaspoon rose water
  • 1 tablespoon wild honey
  • ¼ teaspoon ground cardamom
  • ¼ teaspoon salt 

SERVES 4

Mix all ingredients in the blender. (If you’re using fresh mango and they are not sweet enough, ad

Deepa’s Secrets

Crowning flavor:

  • 2 tablespoons cilantro, stemmed and finely chopped
  • 4 mint leaves, roughly torn
  • 1 teaspoon chaat masala
  • 1 cup toasted crumbled walnuts

1. Whisk dressing ingredients together in a glass bowl. Check seasoning and set aside.

2. On a platter, mix tomato, avocado, and plum slices gently. Drizzle the dressing on top.

Crowning flavor: Sprinkle chopped cilantro, mint leaves, and chaat masala on top of the salad. I sometimes sprinkle with Go Nuts! or a handful of toasted crumbled walnuts.

Mango Lassi

A lassi is the perfect summer refresher. In New Delhi, they were usually savory—yogurt-based with smashed cumin seed, fresh curry leaves, a little salt, served on the rocks. You can get a sweet lassi in India, but this recipe is a closer cousin to the American smoothie.

  • 4 cups mango juice
  • 2 cups Greek yogurt
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 2 teaspoon rose water
  • 1 tablespoon wild honey
  • ¼ teaspoon ground cardamom
  • ¼ teaspoon salt 

SERVES 4

Mix all ingredients in the blender. (If you’re using fresh mango and they are not sweet enough, add a little extra wild honey.) Enjoy!

The Top Five Favorite Cuisines in America

From foodfirefriends.com.

A new study has revealed that Chinese food is the US most Googled cuisine, according to Google search data.  

The research, conducted by BBQ experts foodfirefriends.com, analysed Google search data related to the 40 most popular cuisines in the world in different US states, to find out what cuisines Americans search for (and eat) the most.  

1. Chinese food 

Known all over the world, Chinese food is certainly one of everyone’s most loved cuisines. With an average of over 3.35 million searches per month in the US only, Chinese is Americans’ absolute favourite food.  

2. Mexican food 

With an average of 1.22 million Google searches in the USA, Mexican is Americans’ second most favourite food. Known for its spices and hot sauces, this cuisine is sought-after and appreciated globally.  

3. Thai food 

Thai food is third in the ranking. With over 823,000 monthly Google searches in the USA, Thai remains one of Americans’ first choices when it comes to foreign cuisines.  

4. Indian food 

Registering an average of 673,000 Google searches, Indian food is the fourth most Googled food in America.  

 5. Korean food

Another Asian cuisine features in fifth. Showing an average of 246,000 Google searches in the US, Korean food is the fifth most popular cuisine in the States, followed by Japanese (with an average of 201,000 Google searches per month in the US), and soul food (201,000).  

Greek, Italian and Hawaiian food follow in the ranking with an average of 165,000, 165,000 and 90,500 searches in the US.  

A spokesperson for foodfirefriends.com comments on the findings: 

“It is fascinating to see food from four different Asian countries feature in the top five of the ranking. Each of the cuisines offers a wide array of delicious dishes, and they have clearly become must-have meals for Americans, whether they are cooking at home, ordering take-out or dining at a restaurant.” 

The study was conducted by foodfirefriends.com, which is dedicated to helping users grill and BBQ better, by offering practical guides, recipes, and advice on all aspects of outdoor cooking. 

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Top 20 most popular cuisines in the US: 

Food Average monthly searches 
Chinese food 3350000 
Mexican food 1220000 
Thai food 823000 
Indian food 673000 
Korean food 246000 
Japanese food 201000 
Soul Food 201000 
Greek food 165000 
Italian food 165000 
Hawaiian food 90500 
Peruvian food 90500 
Spanish food 90500 
Cuban food 74000 
German food 74000 
American food 60500 
French food 60500 
Haitian food 49500 
Russian food 49500 
Brazilian food 40500 

Baingan Bharta / Roasted Eggplant Curry — Sowmya’s Spicy Corner

A great recipe from Sowmya’s Spicy Corner, a blog that I follow, for Baingan Bharta / Roasted Eggplant Curry – a delicious and smoky Indian variation of the Mediterranean Baba Ganoush.The dish, which is simple to make, has a unique smoky flavour that comes from grilling the eggplant on direct fire or charcoal. Once grilled, its chopped/mashed, spiced up and cooked to a delicate finish. This smoky and flavour packed baingan bharta / roasted eggplant pairs well with Indian flat breads like roti/ paratha/steamed white rice.

For her recipe: Baingan Bharta / Roasted Eggplant Curry — Sowmya’s Spicy Corner