As much as I love all types of legumes, chickpeas are probably my favorite to which I return time and time again. This Indian chickpea curry is especially delectable, as it includes fresh dill, carrot, and a good selection of hot and aromatic spices. In addition to that, I served it with a fresh, creamy, tangy and colorful beetroot and yogurt raita and some hot fresh cooked white basmati rice. It's not a complicated dish at all and it is nourishing and quite refreshing and satisfying. If you please, you can serve it with Indian flat breads instead of rice. Either way, if you love legumes, you won't be disappointed.

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Luscious lightly fried cubes of paneer cheese proves to be an ideal accompaniment to nutty quinoa baked with mixed vegetables and tangy tomatoes. Included are some aromatic spices and hot chili pepper for a bit of warming heat. I usually keep my dairy consumption to a minimum, but there are times when the craving for paneer becomes too much to resist. And if I make a paneer dish, I always must invite my best friend Basil for dinner, as it is one of his favorites. It turned out to be a satisfying, filling and nourishing meal that I will be sure to make again.

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Falafel is a traditional Middle Eastern street food that is popular in the West too. I've never found that restaurants in my city offering falafel satisfy my craving for these little bites, so what to do except make my own. Typically deep-fried and sometimes made with chickpeas that have been soaked for at least 12 hours but that aren't cooked before using, I always prefer cooking my chickpeas. I bake them rather than frying for a healthier alternative. They really are easy to make. All you need is a food processor, a baking sheet, and a bit of patience shaping them into little balls of goodness. They are not as crispy as the deep-fried version, but I really prefer the texture and goodness of baked falafel without all the grease and fuss. I also like to spice mine up for extra flavor.

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Muffins are a great way to start the day, especially if you are in a rush and need to get out the door quickly. They can also be a healthy and satisfying between-meal snack. These muffins contain very little sugar in addition to coconut, the goodness of chia seeds — that also adds a pleasant texture — and tangy lemon. Even if you are not a baker, muffins are virtually foolproof, so long as you follow a few basic principles. Always measure the dry and wet ingredients separately, and take care not to overmix your batter as the muffins won't rise properly if overmixed — instead of light and airy muffins, you'll end up with disappointingly dense muffins.

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