Meera Sodha is a voracious home cook, who writes a weekly column for The Guardian. Her first book, Made in India, was named a book of the year by The Times and The Financial Times. Meera’s latest book, Dinner, came out in 2024.
- What motivates you to eat meat free?
Looking into the eyes of my dog, or any animal, and just seeing a sweet beautiful little thing.
- What items are always in your fridge?
Condiments! You can always make a meal if you have condiments. Crispy chilli in oil, Dijon, mayonnaise, barbecue sauce, ketchup. You name it, it’s probably in my fridge.
- It’s Meat Free Monday and you’ve got a friend coming round – what are you going to cook for them?
I love cooking my Tandoori cauliflower (from Dinner) for friends. It’s a clever recipe that is really hands off on the cooking – in that the oven does most of the hard work – which gives you more time to spend with said friend. Importantly, it looks very beautiful and tastes the part.
- What was the last thing you ate?
An orzo rice I made with caramelised pickled onions.
- If you had to choose only one country’s cuisine to eat forever, which would you choose?
Indian or Italian (I need variety!)
- Sweet or savoury?
Savoury
- Pizza or pasta?
Pasta
- Tofu or beans?
Life long beaner (but I love tofu)
- Mild or spicy?
Spicy
- What advice would you give to people wanting to give meat free a try?
Look through some books or go out to a restaurant and find something vegetarian (or vegan) that really puts a fire in your belly.
Try Meera’s recipes for Aubergine, Green Bean and Tofu Pad Krapow and Miso Butter Greens Pasta from her cookbook Dinner and keep up to date with Meera by following her at @meerasodha.