Join Sapna Punjabi, founder of beSPICED, to celebrate Indian comfort food in her debut cookbook, Dal Chawal: 85 Vegetarian Indian Recipes Combining the Power of Dal and Rice.
Dal (the Hindi word for pulses including dried beans, lentils, peas, and whole and split legumes) and chawal (the Hindi word for rice) form the foundation of a traditional, homestyle Indian vegetarian diet. In this conversation between Sapna and Lukas Volger, you’ll learn more about Ayurvedic foods and cooking, and take a deep dive into the cultural importance of these plant-powered and sustainable ingredients that for billions of Indians evoke a deep emotional connection to home.
Don’t miss this conversation about culture, familiar eats, and the staple ingredients that connect us to our roots—in India and around the world.
Ticket includes access to Flavor: The World to Your Brain from 6 to 7 PM and chai from Dona.
Copies of Dal Chawal can be pre-purchased in a ticket bundle for a $5 discount ($30) and during the program for full price ($35) from our partner bookseller, Kitchen Arts & Letters.
SAPNA PUNJABI, MS, RDN, LD, is a Culinary Wellness Specialist, Registered Dietitian, Ayurvedic Practitioner, and creator of beSPICED based in Dallas, Texas. Born and raised in Mumbai, India, she moved to the United States in 1998 to pursue her graduate studies. She combines her Indian roots with her Western nutritional training to empower people with skills for easy and effortless cooking, helping them achieve wellness through everyday food and spices. An engaging speaker, educator, and advocate in the field of culinary wellness, Sapna leads cooking classes and wellness workshops, owns a line of heirloom spice products, and hosts a vibrant YouTube channel celebrating food, life, and all things spice. With more than 20 years of experience, including an extensive clinical background, a lifelong personal practice of vegetarianism, and expertise in Ayurvedic medicine, Sapna is passionate about spreading awareness of the healing power of food and spices, seasonal eating, and the profound effects they have on our body, mind, and soul. Sapna has collaborated with Slow Food USA and National Ayurveda Medical Association, is the former president of Dallas Dietetic Alliance, and is actively involved with the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics.
photo by Emmanuel Rosario
LUKAS VOLGER is the author of six cookbooks, including Start Simple and most recently The Bread Machine Book. Previously he created the boutique line of veggie burgers Made by Lukas, and cofounded the award-winning food journal Jarry. He lives in Brooklyn.
Dona is an independently owned tea company in Brooklyn, NY. We equitably source all of our teas, herbs & spices. All of our products are balanced, complex, naturally sweet — never compromised by filler ingredients.
KITCHEN ARTS & LETTERS is a bookstore devoted to food and drink, with titles imported from around the world. They emphasize works on food culture and innovation.