Pallavi Sharma is on a mission to help people rediscover Indian food – a lighter, organic and more healthy Indian food than some of us may be familiar with. Her line of kitchen-ready spice blends are an evolved version of the processed taco and burger seasonings so many of our mothers once relied on. Vegetarians looking for fresh and easy new dinner ideas should pay attention. We’re loving Pallavi’s spice blend made especially for lentils! Cooking doesn’t get any easier or more nutritious than this. Here’s Pallavi…

Indian cuisine is often associated with heavy, over-spiced, sleep inducing restaurant fare, but true, traditional Indian, it is anything but! Indian food comes from the land of yoga, and, at it’s core, it is just as healthy! While certain dishes can be complex and require a long list of spices,  “everyday” Indian food is quite simple.

There are only a few key ingredients needed for traditional Indian cooking: ghee (or oil), spices, and a vegetable or protein. Ghee has a high smoke point, is full of fat-soluble vitamins, and contains short-chain fatty acids which are easily metabolized. The widely used spices are turmeric (natural antibiotic), cumin (anti-oxidant), coriander (digestive), and cayenne (circulation promoter).

Here are some quick and easy tips to infuse ancient and healthful Indian cooking into your diet:

• Try savory yogurt for a change. Grate cucumber into some Greek yogurt, and add a pinch of roasted cumin powder and cayenne powder.

• For a protein rich salad, try mixing some grated carrots and sprouted mung dal. Dress with lemon juice, cilantro leaves and Thai green chili for an adventurous kick.

• Dress up brown rice or quinoa by adding a bay leaf, 1 teaspoon cumin seeds and 1/4 cup peas.

• Make your own chai: simply boil water with a teaspoon of grated ginger. Then add a teaspoon black tea, splash of milk, a small pinch of ground cinnamon and cardamom. Strain and serve!

To take the intimidation out of Indian cooking, I’ve launched a line of organic Indian small batch, recent-harvest seasoning blends. They take all the mystery out of cooking Indian. Try this recipe with one packet of my organic vegetable seasoning that won’t take you more than 15 minutes to make!

• Indian Spiced Rainbow Chard Sauté

• Ingredients

  Serves 4-6

  3 T ghee, extra-refined olive oil or veggie-broth
  2 cloves garlic
  ¾ lb rainbow chard, chopped

  1 packet Easy Indian Vegetable Seasoning

  or

  1 tsp coriander powder
  1 tsp cumin seeds
  1/4 tsp turmeric powder
  1/8 tsp cayenne powder

  salt to taste

• Instructions

  Heat pan on medium and add ghee (or oil/veggie broth).
  Add garlic and sauté for one minute.
  Mix in spices and stir for 20 seconds taking care not to burn the spices.
  Add rainbow chard and coat gently in spice mixture.
  Cover and cook until chard is wilted, stirring occasionally (10-15
  minutes).
  Salt to taste and serve with naan, roti or tortilla and enjoy!

• Win these spices!

  Win Pallavi's Easy Indian 6-pack of organic seasoning blends including a variety of flavors! Tell us what you like to do to pack antioxidant-rich Indian spices into your regular diet and be entered to win!