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Darshana Thacker Wendel

Darshana Thacker Wendel

Darshana Thacker Wendel is a whole-food, plant-based chef and former culinary projects manager for Forks Over Knives. A graduate of the Natural Gourmet Institute, she is the author of Forks Over Knives: Flavor! She created the recipes for Forks Over Knives Family and was a lead recipe contributor to the New York Times bestseller The Forks Over Knives Plan. Her recipes have been published in The Prevent and Reverse Heart Disease Cookbook, Forks Over Knives—The Cookbook, Forks Over Knives: The Plant-Based Way to Health, and LA Yoga magazine online.

All Contributions from Darshana Thacker Wendel (447)

  • Shiro Wat (Chickpea Flour Stew) in a white ceramic bowl surrounded by red onions and garlic on a wood tabletop

    Shiro Wat (Chickpea Flour Stew)

    A vegetarian classic in Ethiopian cuisine, shiro wat is a thick, smooth stew made from chickpea flour (also known as besan). The velvety soup is flavored with berbere—a spice blend that’s packed full of fragrant seasonings—and extra cardamom to create a symphony of scrumptious flavors. Chopped tomatoes and red onion add bright acidity to the […]
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  • Homemade Berbere Spice Blend in a wooden bowl with a metal spoon

    Homemade Berbere Spice Blend

    This earthy-sweet seasoning blend is common in Ethiopian cooking. Paprika and allspice bring in smoky, savory notes while cardamom, cinnamon, and cloves punch up the sweet notes. Nutmeg, fenugreek, and turmeric add earthy flavors, and cayenne rounds everything out with a kick of heat. Make a big batch of this blend to keep in your […]
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  • German Potato Dumplings with Mushroom Gravy in black ceramic bowls with a smaller bowl of chopped parsley

    German Potato Dumplings with Mushroom Gravy

    A staple side dish throughout Germany, these gnocchi-like dumplings are hearty enough to serve as an entrée, too. The potato dumplings feature a sprinkling of nutmeg—which adds a warm, savory flavor—and are boiled before serving to achieve a delicate, melt-in-your-mouth texture. The herb-infused mushroom gravy is bursting with umami and gets its drool-worthy creaminess from […]
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  • Individual Curried Shepherd’s Pies in white ramekins

    Individual Curried Shepherd’s Pies

    Serve up these individual curried shepherd’s pies when you’re craving a hearty meal that’s bursting with savory flavors. Lentils and kidney beans take the place of meat in this veg-forward version, while the creamy mashed potato topping gets a cheesy upgrade with some help from nutritional yeast. While all those elements are tasty on their […]
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  • Easy Herbed Couscous

    Easy Herbed Couscous

    Couscous, a tiny pasta with nutty undertones, is a delicious base for absorbing the fragrant flavors of Moroccan stews. In this jazzed-up version, we add lemon juice for brightness, fresh mint for an herbaceous kick, and toasted pine nuts for extra textural intrigue. Be sure to thoroughly fluff the couscous with a fork to avoid […]
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  • Cheesy Vegan Stuffed Spinach Bites on a gray plate with a small bowl of marinara sauce for dipping

    Cheesy Vegan Stuffed Spinach Bites

    Tasty both right out of the oven or at room temperature, these savory snacks are filled with homemade potato-based vegan cheese. The melty center surprise is encased in a tasty veggie ball that gets its vibrant green hue from green beans and spinach. Corn, jalapeño, and onion bring extra zesty flavor to the mixture while […]
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  • Secret Ingredient Vegan Ranch Sauce in a white bowl surrounded by cashews and cubed potatoes

    Secret Ingredient Vegan Ranch Sauce

    Creamy, tangy, and satisfying, this healthy vegan ranch dressing pairs perfectly with Buffalo cauliflower, steamed artichokes, savory salads, and crudités. The secret to a super velvety texture? Boiled and blended potatoes. When the tasty tubers are combined with raw cashews you get an unbelievably creamy dairy-free base that you’ll want to smother on everything in […]
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  • Vegan Hash Brown Casserole with Tempeh Crumbles in an oval cast iron skillet on a metal cooling rack

    Vegan Hash Brown Casserole with Tempeh Crumbles

    Welcome to the hash brown casserole of your dreams. This ultra-savory breakfast bake is seasoned to perfection with a delicious blend of rosemary, garlic, and nutritional yeast, which combine to create an irresistible cheesy flavor. Roasted red bell peppers are stirred into the potato mixture to add a subtle sweetness to the casserole, while crumbled […]
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  • food prep

    In the Kitchen with Darshana: Weekend Prep 101

    It’s not easy sticking to healthy resolutions when you’re tired and hungry after a long day. That’s why we recommend setting aside an hour each weekend (or any day that’s convenient) to cook some beans and grains, and to prep produce for the week ahead. Just an hour in the kitchen can go a long […]
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  • Mini Vegan Mac and Cheese Casseroles in white ramekins

    Mini Vegan Mac and Cheese Casseroles

    Potato flour, nutritional yeast, and roasted red peppers form the base of a surprisingly cheesy dairy-free sauce in these mini vegan mac and cheese casseroles. Juicy green peas add bursts of earthy sweetness throughout the creamy noodles while savory miso breadcrumbs create the perfect crispy topper. Each adorable ramekin is stuffed to the brim with […]
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  • Jackfruit Chowder in white soup bowls

    Jackfruit Chowder

    If you haven’t tried jackfruit, this chunky chowder is a great place to start. The tender Asian fruit absorbs the savory flavors of the broth and lends a meaty texture to the stew. A medley of fresh veggies adds eye-catching color while red pepper flakes kick the spice level up a notch. The flavors in […]
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  • Oatmeal Breakfast Bake with Berries and Almonds in a white casserole dish

    Oatmeal Breakfast Bake with Berries and Almonds

    This tender, berry-topped baked oatmeal casserole is the perfect morning meal to feed the whole family. Hearty oats are soaked in plant-based milk infused with the warming flavors of vanilla and cinnamon before being baked to golden brown perfection. Plump, sweet raisins add bursts of juicy flavor throughout the dish while a topping of fresh […]
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Master The Art Of Plant-based Cooking.

The Forks Over Knives online cooking course helps you learn new techniques, flavors, and styles for cooking delicious plant-based, oil-free meals at home.