Cooking Made Simple: Flavorful Dishes for Everyday Life

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Chef Gayatri Hingwala will demonstrate six flavorful, plant-based meals designed to bring variety and excitement to your everyday dinners.

Join us for a fun and flavorful virtual cooking series featuring original recipes and easy demos. Each class offers simple, healthy dishes you can make at home—no experience needed!

Traditional Indian meals often include a lentil dish (dal), a vegetable curry (shaak), rice, and flatbread, with optional sides like yogurt-based raita, fresh salad, and crispy papad. Indian sweets are also a beloved part of the cuisine, enjoyed both daily and during celebrations.

Part I: Sweet & Savory Lentils
Gujarati tadka dal (Sweet & Savory Lentils), roti, cucumber raita and traditional Indian milk cake
• Date: Thursday, Nov. 6, 2025
• Time: 4-5:30 p.m.
• Register here: events.aarp.org/Lentils

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Part II: Curry Kisses & Saffron Dreams
Mattar and batata shaak (vegetable curry), parathas, and a veggie and mango kachumber salad
• Date: Thursday, Nov. 13, 2025
• Time: 4-5:30 p.m.
• Register here: events.aarp.org/Curry

Part III: Spice-Laced Indian Whispers
Chana Masala (spiced tomato-based chickpeas), sourdough naan and kesar (saffron) and pistachio frozen yogurt
• Date: Thursday, Nov. 20, 2025
• Time: 4-5:30 p.m.
• Register here: events.aarp.org/Masala

Festive Flavors: A Fresh Take on Holiday Cooking

Celebrate the season with a four-part virtual series featuring vibrant, meatless recipes—from appetizers to desserts and drinks. Learn how to make your holiday meals healthier without sacrificing flavor or fun!

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Part I: Sweet Apps, Autumn Whispers

Holiday sides: butternut squash and pear salad, creamy mushroom tartlets, masala smashed potatoes and tahini dressing

• Date: Tuesday, Nov. 18, 2025

• Time: 4-5:30 p.m.

• Register here: events.aarp.org/HolidaySides

Part II: Earthy Pie Meets Orchard Sparkle

Lentil shepherd's pie and apple cider sangria

• Date: Tuesday, Dec. 2, 2025

• Time: 4-5:30 p.m.

• Register here: events.aarp.org/HolidayEntrees

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Part III: Berry Bliss, Apple Charm, Light Flavor

Holiday trifle, berry crumble and apple pie parfait with modifications for lower sugar and fat

• Date: Thursday, Dec. 4, 2025

• Time: 4-5:30 p.m.

• Register here: events.aarp.org/HolidayDesserts

Part IV: Elegant Elixirs for Holiday Gatherings

Shirley ginger, citrus berry smash, and mango mule

• Date: Tuesday, Dec. 9, 2025

• Time: 4-5:30 p.m.

• Register here: events.aarp.org/HolidayMocktails

Meet Chef Gayatri Hingwala

Gayatri is a seasoned Albany-based chef and lifelong vegetarian who shares heart-healthy, low-salt, and low-sugar recipes. She loves teaching quick, flavorful dishes that make healthy eating simple and satisfying.








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