Author – Ramya Rajaram
Contributor – Harmanpreet Kaur
Editing – Veronica Funk, Matheus Abrantes, Sumantra Ray
Join us on the next step in our culinary journey! We are delighted to share the much-anticipated release of the MTK Cookbook 2.0, now available on Amazon. The MTK Cookbook features over 50 healthy recipes meticulously curated from the Bhavishya Shakti Kitchen, an initiative of NNEdPro, Global Institute for Food, Nutrition, and Health, under the flagship project of the Mobile Teaching Kitchens Initiative.
This latest edition represents a significant milestone in our ongoing commitment to fostering healthier eating habits and empowering communities through the art of cooking. At the heart of the MTK Cookbook lies a labour of love from the dedicated members of the MTK team, with advice and support from experts in the field. With meticulous attention to detail and a passion for nutrition, we have curated a diverse collection of recipes designed to dazzle your taste buds while nourishing your body. Developed in collaboration with nutritionists, dietitians, educational supervisors and our champions, each recipe is a testament to our unwavering dedication to promoting wellness through culinary excellence.
Drawing inspiration from the culinary wonders of the MTK base kitchen, our cookbook offers a fusion of taste and nutrition like never before. From hearty main courses to indulgent desserts, every dish has been carefully crafted to strike the perfect balance between flavour and health. With the MTK Cookbook 2.0 as your guide, discover how simple changes in your diet can lead to profound improvements in your overall well-being. The debut edition of the cookbook was carefully curated to cater to the culinary preferences of this demographic, offering innovative twists on familiar dishes while prioritising nutritional value. Crafted under the guidance of renowned dietitians and collaborative efforts, these recipes received acclaim from the working class and the corporate sector.
Our MTK mobile unit and base kitchen in Kolkata, India, served as a conduit for delivering these delectable and nutritious meals directly to corporate offices, where they were enthusiastically embraced by professionals seeking convenient yet health-conscious dining options. However, with the onset of the global pandemic, our mobile operations faced unprecedented challenges, compelling us to adapt and innovate in response to the evolving needs of our community. In the wake of COVID-19, the demand for nutritious and accessible meals surged, prompting the evolution of Cookbook 2.0. Drawing upon invaluable feedback from our loyal customers during these tumultuous times, we embarked on a journey to reimagine our menu templates, ensuring they resonated with an even broader audience. The result is a reinvigorated collection of recipes seamlessly blending flavour and nutrition, catering to diverse tastes and dietary preferences.
What sets these recipes apart is their nutritional completeness. Each dish is meticulously crafted to incorporate essential vitamins, minerals, and phytochemicals from plant-based sources, ensuring a balanced and wholesome meal. MTK templates are also rich in protein, giving you building blocks to sustain your muscles and allow growth in children. They contain plenty of fibre, which prevents bowel disease and keeps your gut healthy, as well as "friendly" bacteria. Some MTK template menus are ovo-lacto-vegetarian and include eggs. However, each of these recipes can be adapted for lacto-vegetarians and contains eggs, which are optional for lacto-vegetarians, vegans and those following a 'satvic' vegetarian diet. Each template can be modified as per an individual's requirements by removing and substituting eggs with either dairy (e.g. paneer) or plant-based (e.g. tofu) protein sources, and all dishes that contain onions and garlic can be made using ginger and/or asafetida as a substitute. Whether you're a non-vegetarian, vegetarian, or vegan, our recipes offer adaptability, with options to substitute ingredients according to individual preferences and dietary restrictions. A full meal prepared using one of the MTK Cookbook Menu Templates provides most of the day's micronutrient requirements while being rich in protein, containing higher quality, and releasing slower carbs.
The essence of the MTK Cookbook extends beyond a mere compilation of recipes; it embodies the ethos of the SEE One, DO One, and TEACH One training philosophy. Rooted in the principle of experiential learning, our cookbook serves as a dynamic platform for knowledge exchange within our community. By sharing culinary techniques, nutritional wisdom, and insights into the health benefits of wholesome eating, we empower individuals to reclaim control over their well-being, one meal at a time. As each recipe unfolds, it becomes a vehicle for nourishing the body and enriching the mind, fostering a culture of culinary empowerment and holistic health consciousness.
As we unveil the MTK Cookbook 2.0, we invite you to embark on a journey of flavour and nourishment. Let these recipes satisfy your cravings and inspire you to embrace a healthier lifestyle. Together, let's savour the joy of good food and the gift of good health. Happy cooking!
Purchase the book now: