As we celebrate India’s 80th Independence Day, let’s take a moment in appreciating the best of India and Indian cuisine, it’s rich culinary traditions that defines our culture.
Happy Independence Day! Jai Hind!
Flavel Monteiro
VIKAS KHANNA
BACK TO OUR ROOTS
COME TOGETHER
RECIPES FROM THE HOLISTIC KITCHEN
FOR
INDIA WITH INDIA’S FINEST CHEFS BY AWARD-WINNING AUTHOR
FLAVEL MONTEIRO
WITH FLAVEL MONTEIRO
&
NAIM MAADAD IACAD Permit No. 4074
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7/13/21 3:09 PM
2026
PERFECT PAIR INDIAN SPICES WITH WINES a blend of artistry and craftsmanship “An invitation to a culinary journey where Indian cuisine beautifully harmonizes with a glass of wine. Pour a glass and savor each bite to experience how wines enhance Indian dishes, transforming the plate into a remarkable dining experience. A dining experience with the finest Indian chefs and wines from North America to Australasia.” Indian cuisine unfolds like an epic tale: a vibrant mosaic of regional flavors, masterfully layered spices weave stories of heritage and ingenuity. From the creamy, buttery gravies to the bright, coconut kissed and fiery curries, every dish balance heat, weetness, acidity, and earthiness. Thousands of distinct traditions—each with its signature masalas—create endless layers of aroma and taste, simultaneously comforting and exhilarating.
“When Indian cuisine meets wines from around the world, the encounter is intuitive. Acidity, structure, and subtle fruit interact seamlessly with India’s layered flavors, allowing the six tastes to unfold with greater clarity.” Dr. Chef Manjit Gill
President Indian Federation of Culinary Association
What begins as an unlikely encounter—India’s intricate spice artistry meeting the world’s terroir driven elegance—reveals a profound connection: both celebrate place, passion, and the joy of shared tables. The bright acidity in a fiery heat; subtle fruit in a red echoes cardamom or clove. This is no mere pairing—it’s a bridge between worlds, where one cuisine awakens the hidden poetry in the other. In these pages, pour a glass, savor a bite, and discover how wine doesn’t just accompany Indian food—it completes the story. Flavel Monteiro
THE GREAT INDIAN
K ICHDI
2022
H
the one-pot-dish WITH THE FINEST INDIAN CHEFS
FLAVEL MONTEIRO
THE GREAT INDIAN KHICHDI “Everything I do is to challenge the status quo and a belief in thinking differently. Making an eBook to celebrate World Food Day with a collective of 50 of the finestIndian chefs from North America to New Zealand with their unique take on this beautiful age old one-pot-dish Khichdi. Indian cuisine is all about simplicity and Khichdi is India’s comfort food, the ultimate celebration. Coming from the Sanskrit word Khiccha – this iconic one-pot-dish of lentils and rice can be found in kitchens all over India. I dedicate this book in the memory of my late sister Hanan Jozaih Shafair.” -Flavel Monteiro
GOURMAND WORLD COOKBOOK AWARDS D01 BEST COOKBOOK THE GREAT INDIAN KHICHDI, FLAVEL MONTEIRO
The Great Indian Khichdi will fillyour palate with taste sensations from India, from savoury richness to a burst of sweetness; enhanced flavoursand aromas provide a sensation of richness and taste. Flavours change from state to state and include variations like Bajra and Moong Khichdi. Khichdi descended from the ancient Krśarā mentioned in classical Indian texts. An early iteration of the dish, found in the Sushruta Samhita, one of the foundational texts of Ayurveda composed around 7-6th century BC, is made with tandula or rice, and tila or sesame seeds, cooked together and seasoned simply with saindhava lavana or rock salt. The dish is not an arbitrary hotchpotch of ingredients but a carefully constructed recipe, rooted in the principles of Ayurvedic pharmacology and materia medica and Ayurveda’s emphasis on pathyaor therapeutic food that’s wholesome and beneficialto the body. The nutraceutical properties of rice and green gram have been extensively extolled in Ayurveda, and these grains are listed in ancient texts as foods that must be consumed regularly. Spices like ginger and asafoetida are, on the other hand, known for their digestive and anti-flatulentproperties. Loaded with nutrition and fortifiedwith curative spices, Khichdi is a perfectly balanced meal fashioned to heal and rejuvenate the body.
2022
VIKAS KHANNA
BACK TO OUR ROOTS RECIPES FROM THE HOLISTIC KITCHEN
WITH FLAVEL MONTEIRO
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BACK TO OUR ROOTS RECIPES FROM THE HOLISTIC KITCHEN GOURMAND WORLD COOKBOOK AWARDS E21 FUTURE FOOD 21ST CENTURY BACK TO OUR ROOTS
Back To Our Roots: is a book by accident; inspired by a conversation between the two authors Vikas Khanna and Flavel Monteiro, who met for the first time on June 10, 2021, in Dubai and at the end of July 2021 made it reality. It was a holistic approach to create this book whiles redefining gastronomy and looking at simplicity, the science, techniques, creativity, and the culinary art of cuisine without losing sight of the ingredients. As taste knows no borders, through this journey, the authors designed a menu around health, wellness and emphasis with certain foods - legumes, vegetables, whole grains, fruits and nuts that are associated with benefits. The opportunity to make a positive change, as this book aims towards a sustainable path of connecting people through a holistic process of a plant-based diet and encouraging local sourcing. Based on 51 recipes, this book gives you the experience that stimulates the senses, a skilful process of enhancing flavours with an open mind and bringing together roots, herbs, spices and natural produce. Lettuce gets real, turnip the beet with green nutrients, and let us feed the mind, body and soul! Flavel Monteiro
COME TOGETHER FOR INDIA I am very pleased to see that the book “Come Together for India” has brought together a cornucopia of delicious recipes from Indian Chefs all over the world. The inclusion of tea reiterates how chai is essential to the Indian experience. It is the spirit of this project that makes it particularly special. Like a “thali” which brings a mix selection of dishes on one plate, the book aims not only to bring an array of cooking ideas to its audience, but also has the noble aim of putting food on the table for those who have been affected by the Covid-19 pandemic in India.
GOURMAND WORLD COOKBOOK AWARDS C10 BEST INDIAN CUISINE BOOK - INDIA / SRI LANKA COME TOGETHER FOR INDIA A02 FIGHTING COVID COOKBOOKS COME TOGETHER FOR INDIA
The lock downs brought-on due to the spread of the Corona virus, compelled people to stay at home. In dealing with this isolation, many people used the occasion to enjoy spending time at home with the family, with cooking bring a principal ingredient. Joys of baking, frying, grilling….brought a smile on the faces of many, but there were a multitude who did not have the luxury of “working from home” and had their livelihoods stolen. It is praiseworthy that the authors of this endeavour, Flavel Monteiro and Naim Maadad, aim to reach both these categories through this venture. The diversity of what comprises Indian food does not allow it to be bracketed into just one category. This initiative, that comprises recipes from the finest India chefs from North America to New Zealand, will I am sure, bring out this rich tradition and familiarise and popularise our food heritage across the world. I hope this book ignites the passion of cooking in many, and in turn supports the worthy cause undertaken by the authors. My best wishes and support are with this project. HIS EXCELLENCY PAVAN KAPOOR Ambassador of India in the U.A.E.
2021
Extremely delighted for the authors to bring up this creative compilation of the finest Indian Chefs ranging from North America to New Zealand. This is such a superb initiative to celebrate and showcase the best of culinary excellence hailing from rich heritage of India. ~ VIKAS KHANNA
COME TOGETHER FOR INDIA After losing dear friends to Covid-19 in India, this COVID catastrophe worsens in India, major cities and villages are at a near standstill, mortality is at a high rate due to the health care system crashing, and this second wave has not yet reached its peak. Food brings people together, it took me back to April 2020 when I did an eBook Come Together with 84 of the world’s finest chefs for the same purpose to put a smile on people’s faces and support chefs around the world and Home Comforts – where I published and coauthored the first ever eBook to support the industry with the World’s 50 Best restaurants and Bars; and Cuisinero - Taste The Philippines. Since being an Indian, It was just right to do it for India “Come Together For India”. Proceeds of this eBook will shared with Dubai Cares Permit No. 4074 for feeding children in India. Flavel Monteiro
Happy Independence Day! Jai Hind!
Flavel Monteiro