Whether you observe Christmas or another religious or cultural holiday, or just an opportunity to take some time off work, this is a season for celebrating family, friends and — of course — food. With cherished traditional recipes and tantalizing displays of elegant dishes and treats, food plays an important role in our observance of Christmas, from a special family breakfast through to the snacks passed around during the day, and finally to a memorable dinner.

Over the years I've created treats and meals for my own loved ones at Christmas, and I'm so happy that they have become as cherished to themselves as to me. Friends and families of vegetarians such as myself often have to forgo or add to earlier Christmas food traditions out of necessity, but one of the purposes of my cooking for friends and family has been to show them that vegetarian food can be just as rewarding an experience on special occasions as it is for everyday eating. One of my greatest rewards is to find that they themselves have discovered that Christmas traditions can grow and change through time without any loss of flavor or delight.

I cannot serve my treats and dishes to you, my readers, as much as I would like to. But I hope that sharing the recipes with you will provide you with inspirations and ideas that will add to your own Christmas eating and entertaining experiences, and make your holidays a time of sharing wonderful food as much as sharing time with the most important people in your life. Most of all, I hope that each and everyone one of you have a very warm and blessed Christmas.

Read this recipe »

This website has been up and running since 2007 with a focus on vegetarian Indian creations, but up until now I have yet to feature a biryani recipe. For those unfamiliar with this classic dish that is often served on special occasions, the main elements are rice, meat or vegetables, and a thick sauce or gravy, all layered on top of each other, covered, and then cooked. Biryanis are found all through India and Pakistan, and beyond, and there are countless combinations of ingredients that can be used to assemble the dish, depending on where you are or what traditions you've learned from. And although often featuring meat or fish, this vegetarian version is just as hearty and, I would dare say, tastier than most that you'll ever find in a restaurant.

Read this recipe »

Eggplant Parmesan is an Italian classic for a reason, and even those that think they don't like eggplant will be asking for seconds or thirds. In this rendition of the classic, crispy fried breadcrumb-coated slices of eggplant are layered with a rich bechamel sauce, a vibrant homemade marinara sauce, and loads of melted cheese in a baked casserole dish, all topped off with fresh basil. It is reminiscent of a rich and elegant lasagna, but without the heaviness despite the generous helping of freshly shredded mozzarella and Parmesan. It's a good thing that it makes a lot, because my husband and best friend would have made short work of a small dish.

Read this recipe »

A star among leafy greens, kale is part of the cruciferous family (which includes cabbage, cauliflower, broccoli, and turnip). Packed with vitamins A, C, and K, as well as other nutrients like fiber, manganese, and folate, you can't go wrong with this immune-boosting vegetable. Though it features well in soups and stews and with other cooked vegetables, its rich, dense texture makes it an especially appealing choice for hearty salads. Dressed with a basil sunflower seed pesto, and mixed up with some cherry tomatoes, red onion and red pepper strips, this refreshing and filling salad is satisfying enough to feature in its own right, and it dresses up any meal as a shining side.

Read this recipe »