While my usual version of aloo gobi needs little adornment, I couldn't resist adding some chickpeas to this traditional dish for a protein boost. An additional bonus is it helped fill out the meal resulting in less cooking when I was feeling a bit sluggish and lazy.

Not that you would ever know that laziness motivated the creation of this vibrant dish that went so well with a side grain dish and some leftover soup as a starter. Full of spicy zest and substance from the vegetables and the legume, complement the meal even further with some homemade dosa or other preferred Indian flatbread for a veritable feast if you have the time, although if served with basmati rice you will still have a perfectly balanced and nourishing meal.

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Lately I've been craving peanut butter — a lot! Almost every day and all day, it seems. I don't know whether my body is telling to fill up on proteins after stirring from the long winter slumber, but fortunately peanut butter is a delicious way to get protein.

Inspired both by the craving itself and by the recent success of adding peanut butter to rice cooking water for a simple and tasty side dish, this quick and easy oatmeal is cooked in coconut milk and water with natural peanut butter and a little cinnamon and nutmeg. The result is a warm, creamy and wonderfully "peanutty" porridge that adds a little protein kick to your breakfast to help start the day.

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My favorite brownies are those that most resemble fudge in texture and flavor and these moist brownies with creamy avocado are likely some of the best I have tried for a good long while. Moist, fudgy and not too sweet, these brownies are also eggless. The creaminess comes from the mashed avocado. Let your friends and family try these and see if they can guess the secret ingredient.

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Paneer cheese has a mild flavor and a soft texture with a high melting point, making it the perfect vehicle to capture and carry spices and seasonings. Chunks of paneer cheese adds character and substance to curries, and this one was no exception. Following along with my obsession with all things coconut lately, I couldn't resist raiding a block of paneer cheese from my stock in the freezer and giving it the coconut treatment.

Here the multitude of vibrant spices is nicely tempered and somewhat muted by nutty cashews, soothing coconut and luscious cheese. The paneer is gently simmered in an aromatic cashew and tomato gravy with coconut milk with some extra creaminess from rich Greek yogurt added near the end of the cooking time. The play of taste sensations is one you won't soon forget, and your kitchen will smell heavenly hours after dinner has been enjoyed.

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