
7 delicious and easy ways to cook tofu for everyday vegan meals
Perfect for weeknight meals, tofu stir-fry is quick, healthy, and endlessly customizable. Cube and fry or bake tofu until golden, then toss with stir-fried veggies like broccoli, carrots, and bell peppers. Add soy sauce, ginger, garlic, and sesame oil for a delicious Asian-inspired dish.4. TOFU CURRYTofu makes an excellent substitute for paneer in Indian curries. Add pan-seared tofu cubes to rich gravies like tikka masala, coconut curry, or korma. The tofu absorbs the spices well and offers a creamy bite without the dairy.5. GRILLED OR TANDOORI TOFUadvertisementMarinate tofu in a mixture of yogurt alternatives, lemon juice, turmeric, garam masala, and chili powder. Then grill or bake until charred at the edges. Serve with chutneys or stuff into wraps for a smoky, satisfying meal.6. TOFU SALADS AND BOWLSUse baked or air-fried tofu cubes as a protein source in salads and grain bowls. It pairs well with quinoa, leafy greens, avocado, hummus, or tahini dressing. Add roasted chickpeas or seeds for crunch and variety.7. TOFU SMOOTHIES AND DESSERTSYes, tofu can go sweet, too! Silken tofu blends seamlessly into smoothies, mousses, or cheesecakes. Use it as a dairy-free base with cocoa, banana, or berries for a creamy, high-protein treat that's rich but healthy.Tofu's adaptability makes it a kitchen staple for anyone exploring plant-based or clean eating. Whether you like it crispy, saucy, spicy, or sweet, these seven methods show how easy it is to transform humble tofu into something exciting and nourishing. Try one—or all—and enjoy the power of plants on your plate.- Ends
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India Today
an hour ago
- India Today
8 healthy Indian street foods you can eat without guilt
A bustling Indian market glitters with colourful lights as a noisy crowd bargains and traffic horns blare in the background. In one corner, you might just hear someone say, 'Bhaiya, do plate golgappe,' while oil sizzles on the pan for aloo who doesn't love a bite (or more) of street food during a hectic shopping spree? But not all your street food indulgences have to be loaded with empty calories. Of course, relishing a samosa, kachori, or puchka occasionally is perfectly fine - but there are also plenty of street food options that offer a fine balance of health and have a look at some of the street foods that are NOT unhealthy:8 healthy street foodsBhel Puri: This popular Indian snack is made with murmure (puffed rice), sliced vegetables, a little bit of tamarind, and some spices. Puffed rice is low in calories, while the veggies and spices bring their own nutritional value. It makes for a quick and crispy healthy street food that might just be dietician-approved. Just ensure you go low on the sauce Chaat: Chickpeas are a good source of protein and fibre. Add some spices, tomatoes, onions, cucumber, and chilli, and customise it into your own plate of chaat. This is a healthy mix of nutrition and flavour. Indian street food (Photo: Pexels) Corn Cob: A little smoky, a little salty, corn cob or bhutta is saintly street food on the go. It's roasted on flames and smeared with lemon and salt. Corn is a good source of fibre and antioxidants, and helps you enjoy street food Soft, fluffy, and steamed to perfection, this South Indian staple is made from a fermented batter of rice and urad dal. It's low in calories but rich in fibre and gut-friendly Slices: Not just coconut water, vendors also sell slices wrapped in newspaper. When hungry and not in the mood to indulge too much, a slice or two can be a smart pick. It may also help with a feeling of fullness and aid digestion. Corn cob (Photo: Pexels) Fruit Chaat: You can easily find a fruit vendor on Indian streets. Whether you buy one whole fruit (like a banana or a sliced guava), or opt for a fruit chaat - you get a quick, clean bite loaded with fibre and antioxidants. Squeezed lemon and chaat masala adds on to the street-style Eggs: There's no surprise about how healthy eggs are. Season them with spices, garnish with coriander, and enjoy a protein-packed snack straight off the vendor's Dal Cheela: This is street-side clean eating at its best, served right off a hot tawa. Made with soaked lentils, herbs, and spices, and paired with chutney, it's a wholesome, high-protein dish that still feels is a diverse land with a rich culinary heritage, and street food is an integral part of it - found in every city and town. For every plate of aloo tikki, chowmein, or momos, there have always been healthier alternatives like bhel (or its Bengali counterpart, jhalmuri), chana chaat, roasted corn, and others mentioned above.- EndsTrending Reel


India Today
2 hours ago
- India Today
Are Indian couples redefining the big fat wedding?
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India Today
2 hours ago
- India Today
From tradition to trend: How India's classics are getting a modern edge
India has long had a deep affinity for brown spirits, particularly whisky. It's a drink steeped in culture and ritual, present at weddings, family gatherings, and celebratory toasts. But in recent years, the country's drinking habits have begun to evolve, nudging the once-whiskey-dominated scene into newer, lighter Today spoke with Vikram Damodaran, Chief Innovation Officer, at Diageo India, to understand what's driving this transformation. He points to shifts in consumer preferences, occasion-based drinking, and a growing desire for customisation and cleaner options—all contributing to a new kind of drinking consumers—particularly those between the ages of 25 and 34—are approaching alcohol differently from the generations before them. They're not necessarily drinking more, but drinking with more intention. Health awareness, global exposure, and rising disposable income are influencing the move from mass-market choices to more refined, experience-led ones. This age group is increasingly drawn to spirits that feel lighter and more versatile. 'We're seeing a clear shift in behaviour where consumers are trading volume for value,' says Damodaran. 'They want options that offer flexibility, mixability, and align with their lifestyle.'White spirits such as vodka, gin, white rum, and even tequila are finding favour amongst urban consumers looking for lower-calorie, low-sugar drinks that also lend themselves to creativity. With their neutral or botanical profiles, these spirits work well with herbs, fruits, tonics, and spices, allowing users to customise their labels are responding with X Series illustrates this well - introducing vodka, gin, citron rum and dark rum variations to complement its whisky legacy, aimed squarely at cocktail context in which people drink has changed dramatically. Rather than being reserved for large social functions, alcohol is now part of smaller, more personalised moments—whether it's a quiet night in, a virtual hangout, or an afternoon micro-occasions have given rise to a more mindful style of consumption, where mood and setting dictate the pour. Spirits that are easy to adapt—served neat, with mixers, or in a cocktail—have naturally gained popularity in this AND AESTHETICS INFLUENCING BUYING BEHAVIOURPackaging and presentation also matter more than ever. Sleek bottle designs, minimalistic labelling, and premium aesthetics are influencing what consumers pick up off the shelf. It's no longer just about what's inside the bottle—appearance plays a role in expressing identity and taste.'There's a growing demand for products that not only taste good but also reflect personal style,' says Damodaran. 'Design has become an unspoken language between the brand and the consumer.'TRADITION ISN'T BEING REPLACED—IT BEING REDEFINEDThis transition doesn't mean that brown spirits are disappearing from Indian bar shelves. Instead, there's a growing coexistence—where classic choices are being complemented by new ones, and rituals are being updated with modern many ways, the shift reflects broader social changes: a generation open to experimentation, conscious of wellness, and more focused on quality over quantity.A CULTURE IN MOTIONIndia's alcohol landscape is becoming more diverse, inclusive, and experiential. The focus is no longer just on legacy but on how that legacy adapts to contemporary lifestyles. From clean labels to curated drinking moments, the country is embracing a wider spectrum of spirits and evolution marks more than just a passing trend—it signals a long-term transformation in how India thinks about and interacts with alcohol. And as preferences continue to evolve, so too will the offerings, rituals, and meanings we attach to the drinks we share.- Ends