Name: Ananda Caesar Salad with Cornmeal-Chickpea Pancake
Yield: Makes 4 servings
Ingredients: 1 cup plain low-fat yogurt; 1/8 teaspoon dried Guntur red chile,* seeded and finely chopped; 2 large leaves basil, cut crosswise into thin strips; 1 clove garlic, finely chopped; 1/8 teaspoon fine sea salt; 1/4 cup onion, finely chopped (from 1/8 medium onion); 1 1/2 tablespoons Parmesan cheese, finely grated; 1 tablespoon sherry vinegar; 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce; 3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil; 1/2 teaspoon fine sea salt; 4 (1-inch-thick) slices whole wheat bread, crusts removed; 2 cloves garlic, peeled and cut in half; 1 teaspoon extra-virgin olive oil; 1 tablespoon onion, finely chopped; 2 large leaves basil, coarsely chopped; 1/4 cup chickpea flour**; 1/4 cup fine yellow cornmeal; 1/8 teaspoon baking powder; 1/8 teaspoon fine sea salt; 1 large egg, lightly beaten; 1/2 cup well-shaken buttermilk; 2 cups iceberg lettuce, torn into bite-sized pieces; 1 (2-ounce) piece Parmesan cheese, shaved; *Guntur red chile, native to southern India, is available at Asian and Indian markets. If unavailable, dried ancho or chipotle chiles, or ground ancho chile powder make good substitutes.; **Chickpea flour, also called gram flour or besan, can be found at Middle Eastern and Indian markets or at Kalustyans.com.; two 12-inch squares cheesecloth

Image may contain Bowl Food Dish Meal Cutlery Spoon Plant Confectionery and Sweets

Ananda Caesar Salad with Cornmeal-Chickpea PancakeLara Ferroni

This twist on the Caesar salad is part of a healthy and delicious spa menu developed exclusively for Epicurious by Ananda spa in India. Iceberg lettuce is topped with a crispy buttermilk, cornmeal, and chickpea flour pancake, low-fat cheese made from yogurt and spices, and an anchovy-free dressing. Note that the raw garlic is rubbed on the croutons after rather than before toasting to preserve its volatile oils. Garlic—particularly when it's uncooked—has been attributed with numerous health benefits, including fighting cancer and killing harmful bacteria. If you are following an Ayurvedic diet, the experts at Ananda recommend this for vata and kapha doshas.

Be sure to start this recipe at least one day ahead.

Recipe notes

Caramelized Onion Pasta

Turn humble onions into this thrifty yet luxe pasta dinner.

Heavenly Halva Cake

Serve a thick slice for breakfast or an afternoon pick-me-up.

Vodka Gochujang Pasta

This pasta has some really big energy about it. It’s so extra, it’s the type of thing you should be eating in your bikini while drinking a magnum of rosé, not in Hebden Bridge (or wherever you live), but on a beach on Mykonos.

Our Favorite French Onion Soup

Caramelized onions, melty Gruyère, and a deeply savory broth deliver the kind of comfort that doesn’t need improving.

Kung Pao Cabbage With Tofu

Reliable cabbage is cooked in the punchy sauce and then combined with store-bought baked tofu and roasted cashews for a salad that can also be eaten with rice.

Smothered Italian Sausage

This is what I call a fridge-eater recipe. The key here is getting a nice sear on the sausage and cooking the tomato down until it coats the sausage and vegetables well.

Golden Mushroom Soup With Orzo & a Pat of Butter

This is the type of soup that, at first glance, might seem a little…unexciting. But you’re underestimating the power of mushrooms, which do the heavy lifting.

White Bean Turkey Chili

A dash of cocoa powder adds depth and richness to the broth of this easy turkey chili.