I love Indian food in general, but for some reason it just tastes extra special in the winter. The rich flavors, the warm spices—it all was made for this time of year.

For those who’ve never made Indian food at home, I want to preface that it’s generally very simple. Lots of simmering, lots of one-pot goodness. Five out of the seven recipes on this list are vegan, and all are gluten free. These dishes are filled with plant-based protein, packed with healthy veggies and feature a variety of anti-inflammatory spices. If your goal is to eat healthier in the new year, then you should definitely whip up some Indian food!

SPINACH SAAG WITH TURMERIC HALLOUMI

Saag is a saucy, creamy spinach dish which is usually paired with squeaky Indian cheese, or paneer. Halloumi is a very similar cheese and is something we happened to have on-hand for this recipe. To make it vegan, sub the halloumi for extra firm tofu and use coconut milk in place of the sour cream/yogurt.

Recipe here

CAULIFLOWER + CHICKPEA TIKKA MASALA

Tikka Masala essentially features a heavily spiced creamy tomato gravy with meat and/or veg of your choice. We went with cauliflower and chickpeas — the cauliflower soaks up the gravy, and the chickpeas add a needed punch of protein. Allow it to simmer into oblivion, and you’ll be left with a thick, almost stew-like mixture.

Recipe here

GRILLED SAMOSA WRAPS WITH CILANTRO MINT CHUTNEY

It’s not a samoa, it’s not a mimosa—it’s a samosa! We turned a traditionally fried samosa into a healthier grilled wrap stuffed with spiced potatoes, cauliflower, peas, onions and white beans. The best part might just be the dipping sauce—homemade Cilantro Mint Chutney FTW.

Recipe here

EASY PEA CURRY

Like many curries, pea curry basically cooks itself—simmer it down so the spices and ingredients fully fuse, and you’re in business. Featuring a simple mixture of onions, garlic, peas, carrots, coconut milk, vegetable broth and a couple spices, this might be one of the easiest curries you ever make.

Recipe here

VEGETABLE KORMA

Korma may be a “basic bitch” Indian food, but it’s definitely popular for a reason! For the uninitiated, korma is a dish made of meat or vegetables braised in yogurt or cream with stock and spices. I personally love korma because it’s a bit rich and not too spicy; it feels and tastes decadent without actually being so, and it’s typically loaded up with veggies (aka, it’s decently healthy).

Recipe here

SLOW COOKER CHANA MASALA WITH TURMERIC GREEN BEANS

Cancel takeout tonight and whip up this Slow Cooker Chana Masala! While this isn’t one of those “dump it and forget about it” slow cooker recipes, the bit of prep required still takes hardly any effort. This is one of those easy, tasty meals — vegan and gluten free too — that just makes you feel good after eating it.

Recipe here

LENTIL DAAL WITH SWEET & STICKY PANEER

A staple of Indian cuisine, daal is essentially a soup of red, green and/or brown lentils that’s traditionally served with rice or naan. It’s pretty healthy and full of plant-based protein in the form of lentils, so expect a filling meal. Paired with a grilled + marinated paneer, this dish is packed with delicious flavors.

Recipe here