Welcome to Simmer to Slimmer!

Hey there! Welcome to my little corner of the internet, where I share all my favorite Indian recipes and cooking hacks!

I’m Anushree Shetty, the brains behind Simmer to Slimmer. With over 20 years of experience, I’ve mastered the art of simplifying Indian cooking, making it quick, fuss-free, and incredibly delicious without using highly processed ingredients. Join me as we celebrate the rich flavors of India, making them approachable and enjoyable for all.

A picture of an Indian woman food blogger - Anushree Shetty

Here are some of the many media outlets that have featured my recipes:

  • Featured on Condé Nast Traveller for quick and easy Indian recipes ideal for work-from-home meals.
  • Showcased on Idaho Potato for innovative uses of potatoes in Indian recipes, demonstrating the global versatility of simple ingredients.
  • Included in Brit + Co’s exploration of international bread, bringing the unique flavors of Indian bread to a global audience.
  • Recognized by Delish for expertise in adapting traditional Indian dishes for the Instant Pot, making them more accessible to busy home cooks.
  • Contributions acknowledged in the Wikipedia entry on Congee highlight the influence and versatility of Indian cuisine in global culinary traditions.

About Simmer to Slimmer

My journey with Simmer to Slimmer started with one simple goal: to help busy families rediscover the joy of cooking fresh, homemade meals right in the comfort of their own kitchens.

As a full-time working mom, I’ve been through the daily struggle of putting dinner on the table. I get it—demanding jobs, kids’ activities, and endless to-do lists can leave us with little energy or time to cook in the evening. It’s easy to opt for takeout or frozen meals instead of enjoying a home-cooked dinner.

I’ve walked that path, too.

That’s why I turned to meal planning. With a bit of clever planning and some weekend prep sessions, I realized that making fresh, homemade dinners could be manageable, cost-effective, and nutritious.

It was a game-changer for my family, and I want you to experience the same success in your kitchen.

So, I’m here to offer you mouthwatering, easy-to-make Indian recipes along with meal prep tips. It’s all about bringing the joy of homemade Indian cuisine to your table without the fuss.

Restaurant-style Dal Makhani served with rice and garlic naan

About my recipes

If you love homemade food but don’t have the time to spend hours in the kitchen, you’ve come to the right place! Simmer to Slimmer is the perfect resource for busy families who want to cook nutritious and delicious meals.

Here, you’ll find a diverse collection of over 400 recipes, carefully curated to cater to the demands of everyday life while also reserving a special place for those moments when you want to create something extraordinary.

But that’s not all! I also provide practical tips on meal planning and packing lunchboxes so that you can make delicious meals without waking up at the crack of dawn.

I believe that Indian cooking doesn’t have to be complicated, and I’m here to show you how. That’s why I’m all about:

  • Creating quick, easy, and failproof recipes that you can recreate effortlessly in your kitchen.
  • Accompanying each recipe with step-by-step photos and valuable tips for achieving results just like mine.
  • Emphasizing the use of everyday staples avoiding unnecessary pantry clutter.
  • Believing that when it comes to spices, less is often more.

My ultimate goal? To inspire you to cook more at home. I want you to experience the joy of preparing real, nourishing food for your loved ones. There’s something incredibly special about gathering around the table, sharing a meal, and feeling that sense of togetherness.

Whether you’re an experienced home chef or new to Indian cuisine, I’m excited to be your culinary companion. So, let’s get started on this flavorful journey together, one scrumptious recipe at a time!

Check out some of my popular recipe collections:

The Lunchbox Cookbook

I am so excited to share this labor of love with you – The Lunchbox Cookbook – your secret weapon to packing nutritious lunches without the stress!

The Lunchbox cookbook eBook is opened on an iPad which is hand-held.

The Lunchbox Cookbook is more than just a collection of recipes. Think of it as a complete system that teaches you:

  1. What to pack daily – Includes a 4-week menu plan with 20+ recipes and shopping lists.
  2. Recommendations for snacks and sides to complement each recipe.
  3. Insights into the best lunch containers (each recipe includes packing tips!).
  4. Prep-ahead instructions for every recipe so you can avoid the morning craziness.

A bit more about me

My culinary journey is rooted in my upbringing. Born in Mangalore and raised in Bombay (now Mumbai), I grew up savoring the flavors of South Indian, Gujarati, and Punjabi cuisines. These early culinary experiences have profoundly shaped my cooking style and what graces our family table today.

But here’s where my story takes an exciting twist. I set off to the United States to study computer engineering, an adventure that not only broadened my horizons but deepened my connection with food. During those years, I learned to cook thanks to long-distance calls with my mother, the culinary talents of my roommates, and the vast expanse of knowledge available on the internet. That’s when my love affair with cooking truly ignited.

Fast forward to 2008: I moved to the vibrant city of Chicago, where I continue to live with my loving husband and two precious daughters. For over a decade, I wore the hat of a Project Manager, juggling deadlines and meetings, but life had other plans for me.

My younger daughter needed a bit more of my attention, so I decided to step back from my corporate career and focus on her. She cherished our time together, preferring that I spend hours playing with her rather than being confined to the kitchen.

That’s when I started on a mission to make classic Indian recipes quicker and simpler. I also learned the invaluable skill of weekend meal planning and prep, allowing me to strike a balance between family time and my culinary passion.

This blog began as a personal online diary, a place to capture these quick and convenient recipes before I forgot how I made them. What started as a passion project, a means to preserve cherished recipes, soon blossomed into my full-time calling.

That seemingly short break from my corporate career became permanent as I followed my heart into the kitchen.

This blog is my way of sharing what I’ve learned over the past two decades – tried-and-tested recipes, handy kitchen tips, and, most importantly, the joy of cooking at home. I can’t wait to share it all with you!

I would love to hear from you

Have you tried a recipe? Added your own creative twist to it? I want to know all about it! Here’s how you can get in touch with me:

I value every message and comment, so please don’t hesitate to reach out. And if you’d like free recipes delivered straight to your inbox, just sign up here.

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32 Comments

  1. Well, I’m glad I found your website this morning. I think I might find the help. I have been looking for here I love southern Indian food. I have been on a strict diet diet due to health now I need to improve my diet and add more things but I need guidance. I like the fact that you say that your food is not heavily spiced I look forward to reading more of your blogs, and trying your recipes.

  2. Hi Anu,

    Would you be willing to please share a recipe for Fish Korma? I can get this dish at a local restaurant…but I would much rather be able to cook it myself. Thanks in advance!!

    Leticia

  3. Hi,
    I saw your recipe for Rustic Olive Bread Rolls on Vitacost’s website. Could I use gluten free flour in this recipe? I’m not too versed in GF yet so not sure if all conversions work. If it can be substituted, which GF flour would you recommend – almond, coconut……. (one of the many options) :). Thanks so much for your input. Have a very Merry Holiday Season!

  4. Anushree I just read about you….if you want then I can tell you what I do while making chicken sukka…rest all I follow the same except that I grind a spoon of jeera along with 8 to 10 cloves of garlic slightly coarse and then put the grated coconut in the mixie and give it spin ,and then add to the boiled chicken ,continue to heat for sometime so that everything blends…

    1. I always try to vary a few things when I make food to keep it interesting. I’ll surely try the variation you shared.

  5. Hi Anushree,

    I love your recipes … would you kindly put me on your mailing list for all Indian recipes, please. I love Indian food.

    Thank you so much
    Regards
    Annabelle