1. Minty Raita : Whisk some fat-free yoghurt with a cucumber and a tiny sprig of chopped mint. Add some roasted and ground cumin seeds for aroma and a pinch of paprika for colour.

2. Cilantro Rice : When boiling rice, throw in a few sprigs of coriander (cilantro) just before the rice is done. Squirt the juice of half a lemon too at this time. It lends tang and fluffs out the grains.

3 . Bouquet Garni : This is a culinary term for a bunch of parsley, a sprig of thyme, and a bay leaf or two, tied together and used to flavour slowly cooked soups, braises and stews. Fresh or dried herbs can be used and they are sometimes tied into the hollow of a celery stalk. Bouquet garni combines beautifully with chick peas and other legumes.

4. Fenugreek Potatoes : Melt some ghee in a pan. Throw in a teaspoon of ajwain seeds. Wait for the aroma to rise, then pitch in some mashed potatoes and fry on high heat for three minutes. Flavour with fresh chopped fenugreek (methi) leaves - and lemon to balance out the slightly bitter flavour.

5. Power-Packed Bread : Knead together two cups of gram flour, half a cup of wheat bran and one-fourth cup of unbleached wheat flour. Use skimmed milk or yoghurt to knead the dough. Add dried fenugreek leaves, half a tsp of ajwain, a quarter tsp of turmeric and a teaspoon of ghee. Roll the

soft, pliable dough into flat, thin circles or squares. Cook on a cast-iron griddle, turning each side till browned. Very satisfying.

6. Peppy Soup : Fry crushed red chili flakes and cumin in olive oil. Add to soup pot for instant pep. Ayurveda recommends chillies to reduce the Kapha dosha.

7. Flavoured Rice : Stir three strands of saffron into half a cup of warm water, and add to the water in which you cook basmati rice. Add the crushed seeds of one green cardamom when done.

8 . Turmeric Milk : Ayurveda loves turmeric! The yellow spice is considered an antibiotic and a terrific digestive. The next time you take your bedtime glass of milk, stir in a pinch of turmeric and a drizzle of honey.

9. Coriander-Cumin Dal : Roast a tablespoon each of whole coriander seeds and cumin, and pound them together. Mix this with boiled lentils of your choice, and a squeeze of lemon juice. This makes a healthy stand-alone dish.

10. Minty Potatoes : Boil potatoes and scoop out the centres. Fill the hollows with a paste of mint, rock salt and olive oil. Bake on high for 15 minutes and you have hot, minty potatoes, bursting with flavour.

11. Marinade : Try this sense-gratifying marinade: Blend ginger with yoghurt, mustard and green chillies. Dunk vegetables in this for a good hour or so, then grill. Luscious!

12. Coriander Tofu : Cook tofu with kidney beans, olive oil, chilli powder and turmeric. Toss in yoghurt and minced coriander.

13. Steamed Rice : Plain white steamed rice is great on its own, but one bay leaf helps release the aroma. Max the impact with two cloves. A pinch of turmeric will make it look nice and exotic.

14 . Digestive : Homes in Gujarat use this great-for-digestion after-mint. Roast fennel seeds on a cast-iron griddle or a non-stick pan with a pinch of turmeric. When they release their aroma, take off the heat and toss in lemon juice.

16. Flavoured Beans : Pick up the freshest green beans you can find. Chop and steam for five to 10 minutes, then mix with cooked yellow moong dal. Flavour with freshly crushed black peppercorns.

17. Herbed Veggies : Do a home-made platter of roasted vegetables like bell peppers, baby corn and eggplant. When just about done, drizzle some hot ghee on the veggies and top with dried basil or rosemary.

18. On The Table : Take away the salt and pepper shakers from your table. Substitute with one each for grated nutmeg, dried and crushed fenugreek leaves, and powdered cinnamon.

19. Fine Herbs : This is a traditional French mixture of four fresh or dried herbs

including parsley, chervil, chives and tarragon. Sprinkle over fresh salads or

gravies just at the end of cooking time.

20. Aromatic Soup : Next time you make a lentil soup, add this aromatic tadka - heat one tablespoon of vegetable oil and throw in a teaspoonful of mustard seeds. Add one halved dried red chilli and a small bunch of curry leaves. When the mustard seeds begin to pop, pour the tadka into the soup.

21. Coriander Special : Coriander cuts the hotness of foods, so it's a good idea to sprinkle it as a garnish on curries.

22 . Ginger-Lemon Water : Start your morning with warm ginger-lemon water, sweetened with honey. Lie down for five minutes after you drink it. Helps the kidneys flush out better.

23 . Fruit Salad : Mix sliced apples and pears with fresh ginger slices and dried orange peel. Add a splash of orange juice. Marinate for 10 minutes and remove the orange peel and ginger. Serve with vanilla ice-cream.

24. Steamy Soup : On a cold winter evening, treat yourself to a hearty vegetable soup simmered with fresh vegetables, pasta, grains, spices and herbs.