About Me - Holy Cow Vegan

For nearly two decades now, Holy Cow Vegan has been the go-to destination online for discerning cooks looking for Indian and vegan recipes that are authentic yet modern, full of flavor and easy to make.

I'm Vaishali and I started this blog in 2007 to help demystify the intricacies of Indian cooking and adapt its many, many delicious recipes to a vegan diet. As a former omnivore who grew up in Mumbai eating diverse Indian cuisines, I love to transform the meat- and dairy-based dishes I once enjoyed into plant-based versions that taste authentic and are healthier.

There are more than 1,200 recipes on the blog that I've created, perfected, and shared over the years. I hope you will find something here that you and your family will love. Just bring your curiosity and creativity to the party! If you're new to Indian food, I'd start with an easy recipe like this 30-minute, one-pot vegetable curry. But if your soul begs for crunchy, savory food like mine does, you might want to jump straight to the samosas or vegetable pakoras) 😉 .

Thanks for stopping by!

What you'll find on Holy Cow Vegan

Easy, quick, healthy and hassle-free plant-based recipes, many Indian. This is food you can cook whether you are a novice or an expert, and food you will love whether you are an omnivore or a vegan or somewhere in between. All recipes use clean, wholesome, natural ingredients, most of which are already in your pantry.
Recipes for special diets. More than half the recipes on this blog are gluten-free (including lots of gluten-free vegan desserts!). You will also find many recipes suited to a low-carb and keto vegan diet.
Kid-friendly recipes. As a mom, I focus on creating recipes that are kid-friendly as well as adult-friendly!
Global recipes. We love to travel, so I often post recipes from around the world, including Mexican, Italian, Irish, African and Mediterranean. You can also browse tons of vegan Indian recipes, ranging from restaurant favorites like chana masala and vegan butter chicken to more modern dishes with my own spin, like this tasty vegetable curry and chickpea curry.
Vegan baked goods. I love to bake, so you'll find lots of recipes for homemade vegan cakes, vegan cookies, vegan pies and vegan breads. I've been baking with sourdough and nurturing a sourdough starter long before it became trendy to do so.

Frequently asked questions

How can I get new recipe updates?

I add new recipes once or twice every week. You can sign up for my newsletter so you don't miss a single recipe, or you can follow Holy Cow Vegan on Facebook, Pinterest, Instagram and Twitter.

Why did you name the blog Holy Cow Vegan?

The blog's name calls out the dichotomy in the Indian diet and religious belief system. Cows are worshipped as holy but hundreds of thousands of cows are also tortured in factory farms to supply India's love for milk and milk products. I try to show, through this blog, that Indian food can be just as delicious without the dairy.

Any suggestions for easy Indian recipes for a beginner cook?

Yes! Indian food might appear difficult but there are many recipes that are quite easy, like this basic but delicious dal or this easy vegetable curry. You will need a few spices that can easily be found at Indian grocery stores or through online retailers. In the recipe card for each recipe, you will find Amazon affiliate links to most ingredients I use. If you are new to Indian cooking or looking to scale up your skills, read my ultimate guide to vegan Indian cooking where I share lots of tips, techniques and recipes for veganizing Indian food.

How can we contact you?

You can leave a comment on the recipe (it's the quickest way to get a response and I read and appreciate every comment). Or you can email me at MyVeganWorld@gmail.com. If you'd like to share a photo of the recipe please post it on Instagram and tag me #HolyCowVegan.