The Culinary Institute of America

Chef Heena Patel from Besheram restaurant in San Francisco describes her dish of watermelon khichdi as the “mac n’ cheese of Gujarat,” her home state in India. That’s because this dish is the quintessential comfort food of her childhood, and a staple in many Indian households.
Khichdi is a healthy and hearty Indian dish made with rice and moong lentils. Pureed watermelon flesh, as well as the rind is used to add flavor and texture to make the khichdi. Topped with pickled garlic, mango, onions, chilies, peanuts, and cubed watermelon, this one-pot meal is deeply savory, delicious, and comforting.
Get the Watermelon Khichdi recipe here.

Raita is the cooling counterpoint to many spicy Indian dishes. This yogurt-based sauce is often made with cucumber, but in this version Chef Heena Patel from Besheram restaurant in San Francisco makes the sauce with cubed watermelon. Cucumbers and watermelon are in the same family and can often be used interchangeably in recipes.  
Get the Watermelon Raita recipe here.

Muthiya is a traditional Gujarati dumpling from India, enjoyed for breakfast or as a snack—and a childhood favorite of Chef Heena Patel from Besheram restaurant in San Francisco. These watermelon muthiyas are made with a mixture of chickpea, millet, and corn flours, as well as shredded watermelon flesh, rind, and juice—so there is no wasted watermelon! The dumplings are steamed and served with watermelon raita as a dipping sauce.
Get the Watermelon Muthiya recipe here.

Bhel is one of India’s most beloved street foods, famous for its bold mix of sweet, sour, tangy, spicy, and crunchy elements. Join us as Chef Heena Patel of Besharam in San Francisco creates watermelon bhel—a colorful salad made with juicy watermelon flesh and crisp rind, puffed rice, sev, red onion, and a duo of chutneys: date-tamarind and mint-cilantro. Inspired by flavors from her hometown in Gujarat, India, this vibrant dish captures the playful spirit of bhel while highlighting seasonal ingredients.
Get the recipe for Watermelon Bhel here.

Chef Toni Sakaguchi from the Culinary Institute of America shares a quick and delicious recipe designed to keep athletes energized: the Peanut Butter Protein Power Smoothie. Peanut butter aids athlete recovery by providing protein and other essential nutrients that help repair muscle damage, replenish energy stores, and reduce inflammation. Whether you’re training, recovering, or just looking for a nutritious snack, this smoothie is a simple and satisfying way to fuel your body.
Get the Peanut Butter Smoothie recipe here.

Chef Mai Pham, owner of Star Ginger in Sacramento, shares how peanuts—known in Vietnam as dau phong—are an essential ingredient woven into countless dishes, from sauces and toppings to braises and even desserts.
In this episode, she prepares Claypot Braised Lemongrass Chicken with Peanuts (Gà Kho Sả Đậu Phộng), a fragrant and comforting dish that blends tender chicken with the nutty richness of peanuts. Simmered slowly in a claypot, it delivers the perfect balance of savory, salty, sweet, and smoky flavors.
We’re also joined by Mason Becker, a peanut farmer from Texas, who highlights the role of peanuts in sustainable agriculture and shares insights from the farm to the table.
Recipe link: https://www.plantforwardkitchen.org/claypot-chicken-with-peanuts

Feeding thousands of kids every day is no easy task—but school nutrition professionals are up for the challenge! In this video, Chef Aaron Smith, Director of Culinary Services for Seattle Public Schools, shares his creative Peanut Butter Toast Bar concept: a fun, customizable option designed to keep students excited about school meals.
He’s joined by Angela Gomez, RDN, SNS, who specializes in making meals both nutritious and kid-approved. Angela also explains how schools can safely manage meal modifications and communicate clearly about peanut allergies.
Together, they build peanut butter toast with a lineup of tasty toppings—bananas, blueberries, chocolate chips, and even bold choices like sriracha and marmalade—for kids who like to spice things up.
Learn more and get the recipe at https://www.plantforwardkitchen.org/sweet-and-spicy-pbj

The combination of rose and pistachio is a classic flavor combination that appears in a myriad of desserts all around Europe. From Mahalebi in Cypress, Rožata in Croatia, and panna cotta alla rosa in Italy. Chef Rebecca Peizer from The Culinary Institute of America was inspired to deconstruct this dessert and make her own updated version using products from all over Europe, such as Croatian Rose Hip Jam and Italian Pistachio cream (Pistacchio Verde di Bronte PDO). This milk pudding with rose is light, refreshing, and a perfect summer night treat.
Get the Rose Pudding recipe here.