However, if you have a penchant for Indian food, with its liberal helpings of various cheeses and meats, you might be worried that you’ll be left out of the next Indian takeaway.
Well, with Indian cuisine being as diverse as it is, there are plenty of vegan options that you can choose from.
You can even modify your favorite Indian meal so that it contains no animal products whatsoever. Luckily, a lot of Indian chefs have also cottoned onto this.
Which ones have the most diverse range of recipes? Well, we’ve compiled a list of the best female chef vegan Indian cookbooks that you can currently find on the market (see also "Female Chef Sauces Cookbooks You Do Not Want To Miss").
Why Eat Vegan?
There are many reasons why people choose to eat vegan. One of the main reasons is an ethical objection to factory farming, which involves a great deal of suffering to animals, even in the dairy industry.
There are also various health claims for the vegan diet. A lot of people suggest that cow’s milk is very difficult to process for the human digestive system, which is what leads to all sorts of autoimmune conditions and illnesses.
This is also said to help with other conditions like high blood pressure and is shown to lower your cholesterol levels.
This also decreases the risk of heart disease and can help reduce the side effects of type 2 diabetes. It can even be said to lower the risk of getting cancer.
Also, gut bacteria really thrive on fiber, which is said only to be present in raw plant materials.
If you have more healthy gut bacteria in your stomach, then this is said to improve your overall mood, which is linked to a lot of cases of long-term depression and anxiety.
So if you have decided to go vegan, does this mean you’ll have to cut out your favorite Indian foods? Not necessarily.
There are plenty of Indian dishes that cater to the vegan diet. Here is a list of some of the best vegan Indian dishes that we can find that are written by female chefs.
This first book specializes in Indian food that is completely free of all dairy, including tofu curries, date and avocado chutneys, and cardamom squares.
There are plenty of dishes that are rich in protein and fiber, as well as being gluten- and allergy-free.
This covers everything from breakfasts to snacks and desserts, so you won’t have to worry about laying out a comprehensive spread for your vegan friends and family.
These recipes are delicious and very easy to make, so newbie cooks need not fear.
Pros
Features an amazing recipe for mango curry tofu
This makes pulses and plants the top ingredients
Easy to follow and make
Gluten-free and allergy-free recipes
Cons
Some readers have complained that the ingredients are hard to find
This covers a wide range of dishes including curries, dals, desserts and soups. It is written in bold and legible font to make things twice as easy.
Each recipe is broken down into substeps to make sure that you are following the guidelines exactly.
This comes with mainstream Indian dishes as well as dishes that you might only find in the backstreets of Mumbai. There is something in here for all skill levels.
This next meal is based on the medical studies of its author during which he developed traditional Indian diets that he used to manage chronic illnesses.
But that’s not to say that these recipes aren’t thoroughly delicious and very easy to make.
This comes with recipes for chocolate chai mousse, spicy vegetable meals, legume stews, and many different rice dishes.
There are over 100 recipes in this cookbook, each one ranging from the easy right the way through to the difficult.
Pros
Great for chronic illness management
Over 100 recipes
Great for beginner, intermediate and advanced chefs
A diverse range of meals
Cons
Some of the ingredients might not be readily available at the local supermarket
This next cookbook really pushes the envelope when it comes to vegan dishes that hail from India.
It has creative dishes from koftas to curries to dals and dips, you’ll hardly notice there is anything missing from your vegetarian palate.
This book also explores some of the lesser-known flavors of India, so if you want to impress some of your Indian friends with your knowledge of their home country, then you can’t go wrong with following this guide.
Pros
Top-notch London-based Indian cuisine
Covers the whole range of Indian mains and sides
Written by an award-winning chef
Great for accomplished cooks
Cons
This might not be the best place to start for beginners
This next recipe book is made by a nutritionist who has long studied the value of vegan Indian cuisine on the human body.
All of these recipes are completely free from eggs and all other forms of dairy, so if you are intolerant to these things, this is a great recipe book for you.
This will also give you some advice on making vegan substitutions for your meal, which is also great for those who really need to avoid certain ingredients for allergenic reasons.
This cookbook also gives you notes on serving size as well as the history of certain dishes.
Pros
Great for vegetarians and vegans
Come with plenty of nutritional information on vegan alternatives
No eggs or dairy
Helps you choose good vegan substitutions
Cons
Some readers have complained about the high-fat content of some of these meals
Buyer’s Guide
When you are looking for the right vegan Indian cookbook for you, there are a few things that you won’t want to ignore. Here are some features that you should be looking out for:
Vegan Alternatives
Some of these recipes are both vegan and vegetarian, but some of the better vegetarian recipes should include some options for vegan alternatives.
For example, using nut butter instead of regular dairy butter.
How Easy They Are To Make
If you are just getting started in the world of cooking, then you won’t want anything that gets too technical.
Indian cuisine can be quite tricky, so you’ll want to make sure that the measurements are easy to understand and that you know what utensils to use.
Authentic Cuisine
Some people will want that authentic taste of India, so it will be important to have dishes that are traditional rather than meat-based dishes that come with modern-day substitutions.
Conclusion
Indian food is some of the best in the world, so we hope our list of vegan Indian cookbooks by all-female chefs has given you a better idea of what dishes are available for you to make on a plant-based diet.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are There Many Vegan Indian Dishes?
Indian cuisine relies heavily on the use of vegetables anyway, so it is not difficult to modify a few to make them totally animal-free.
What Can I Substitute Butter With In Vegan Indian Food?
You can use dairy-free yogurt, coconut oil, coconut butter, olive oil, or nut butter.
I'm Barbara Hunt, the founder of WomenChefs.org. Being a mom of two, I understand the challenges of meal planning and the monotony it can bring.
That's why I created WomenChefs.org, a platform dedicated to showcasing the skills and delicious dishes crafted by amazing women. My goal is to provide a space where women can find delectable recipes that tantalize their taste buds and ignite their senses.
I hope you'll join me in exploring WomenChefs.org and discovering your next favorite recipe. Let's embrace culinary diversity and try something new together!
