Deepa's Secrets: Slow Carb | New Indian Cuisine | Deepa Thomas | Talks at Google

TL;DR

Deepa Thomas discusses her journey from textiles to becoming a cookbook author, and how she discovered the power of food in managing her husband's diabetes. She highlights the importance of cooking with mindfulness, using Indian ingredients for their health benefits, and her commitment to philanthropy through donating her book royalties to FoodCorps.

Transcript

[MUSIC PLAYING] JAN YANEHIRO: Welcome, everybody. Welcome to a special chat with a star in the food world, Deepa Thomas. How about an applause here? Let's hear it. Come on, Google people. DEEPA THOMAS: Thank you. JAN YANEHIRO: Deepa Thomas-- This is her cookbook, "Deepa's Secrets." And today here at the 188 Embarcadero Campus, you are sampling her ... Read More

Key Insights

• 💄 Deepa Thomas' cookbook focuses on making Indian cuisine healthier, more flavorful, and accessible to a wider audience.
• 😋 The health benefits of Indian cuisine come from using anti-inflammatory ingredients and reducing the reliance on refined and processed food.
• 😋 Indian food is becoming more popular in the US due to its high flavor profile and increasing awareness of its health benefits.
• 😋 Deepa Thomas promotes mindfulness in cooking and encourages individuals to establish a connection with their food and well-being.

Questions & Answers

Q: What inspired Deepa Thomas to write "Deepa's Secrets"?

Deepa Thomas was inspired to write the cookbook after discovering the impact of healthy cooking on managing her husband's diabetes. She also wanted to document her recipes for her sons and share her story to inspire others.

Q: How is new Indian cuisine different from traditional Indian food?

New Indian cuisine, according to Deepa Thomas, is characterized by being less labor-intensive, higher in flavor, healthier, and filled with shortcuts or "secrets." It aims to showcase all the potentially good aspects of Indian cuisine while making it more accessible and appealing to a wider audience.

Q: Why is Indian food becoming more popular in the US?

Indian food is slowly moving into the mainstream due to its high flavor profile and health benefits. People are becoming more aware of the health benefits of Indian ingredients, and the blending of flavors and techniques from different cuisines is contributing to its rising popularity.

Q: How does Indian cuisine promote health and reduce inflammation?

Traditional Indian cuisine focuses on using spices and ingredients that are anti-inflammatory and aim to reduce inflammation while enhancing the flavor of the dishes. Indian food also emphasizes slow carbs, which are complex grains that take longer to digest, reducing sugar spikes and promoting overall health.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• Deepa Thomas shares her journey of transitioning from textiles to becoming an author of an Indian cuisine cookbook.

• She discovered the power of food in managing her husband's diabetes and focused on cooking in a way that appeared appetizing while keeping it healthy.

• Indian cuisine is slowly moving into the mainstream due to its high flavor and health benefits.