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Annapurna Kitchen

9. Ayurvedize Any Asian Recipe in Seven Steps

The seven-step method applied to Eastern recipes. Figure — The seven-step method applied to Eastern recipes.

Five worked examples

OriginalWhat changesResult in this book
Kung pao chickenTofu in place of chicken; ginger instead of garlic and scallion; mild chilli; peanuts keptVariation of 4.04 with peanuts
Shoyu ramenKombu–soy broth; udon or wheat noodles; bok choy and kabocha in place of pork and egg; drink half the broth5.03
Kimchi jjigaeDoenjang instead of kimchi (less sour, fermented heat); tofu, spinach and radish2.07
Pad thaiSoft rice noodles with tofu, tamarind, jaggery and ground peanuts; no egg or fish sauce; bean sprouts blanchedVariation of 5.05
Vegetable sushiWarm onigiri instead of cold vinegared rice; cooked fillings; no raw fish6.08

Nine everyday swaps for the Eastern kitchen. Figure — Nine everyday swaps for the Eastern kitchen.

How meals are built

The Japanese home meal is built on ichijū-sansai — one soup and three side dishes with rice — while the Indian thali gathers the six tastes on a single plate. Both achieve the same thing: variety of taste, colour and texture in modest portions.

Two ways to build a balanced meal: the Japanese ichijū-sansai and the Indian thali. Figure — Two ways to build a balanced meal: the Japanese ichijū-sansai and the Indian thali.

The Annapurna world plate for lunch. Figure — The Annapurna world plate for lunch.

How to read the recipes

Each recipe gives the region and dish that inspired it; servings, portion, time, texture, dosha and best season; an ingredient table with household measures, base quantities and a café batch (×5); a short method; estimated nutrition per serving (including salt from soy sauce and miso); a care note for 55+ guests; an Ayurvedic note; the Ayurvedic adaptations made to the original; and variations.