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Ingredients for Vegan Chickpea Curry

• 2 tablespoons coconut oil
• 2 medium yellow onions, chopped
• 14 ounces canned tomatoes, drained
• Salt and pepper, to taste
• 16 ounces canned chickpeas, drained and rinsed
• 3 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 teaspoon curry powder
• 1/4 teaspoon cumin
• 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
• 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
• 1 package baby spinach
• 13.5 ounces canned coconut milk
• 1 tablespoon flour
• 1 lime
• Cooked rice

Directions for Vegan Chickpea Curry

1. Add the coconut oil to a deep pan over medium-high heat.

2. Add the onions, tomatoes, salt, and pepper to the pan, and stir. Reduce the heat to medium and cook the mixture until tomatoes release their juices and the onions soften, for about 10 minutes.

3. Stir in the chickpeas, garlic, curry powder, cumin, cinnamon, nutmeg, and cayenne pepper until well combined. Add spinach, coconut milk, and flour, and stir again. Bring the curry to a boil, then reduce to a simmer for 10-12 minutes.

4. Remove the curry from heat, top with lime juice, and serve over rice with naan.

So, when I booked my trip to India, I was a little hesitant about the food, considering pretty much all of my friends’ reviews of their experiences could be summed up in three sound bites: “Amazingly beautiful country,” “absolutely bonkers traffic,” and “spice levels off the charts!”

I knew I wanted to eat as much delicious Indian food as I could (give me all the naan), but after two days of ordering dishes that seemed like they might kill my tummy (I’m looking at you, spicy biryani), I needed help. After talking to some locals, I was able to pull together a solid list of tasty options that let me experience all the delicious flavors and spices of the cuisine without running to the restroom every 20 minutes.

When it comes to breakfast, most travelers opt to eat at the normally included hotel buffets. It’s a great chance to experience a little bit of each type of dish and decide for yourself what you can handle in terms of spice, but note that in more Westernized establishments they tend to go a little easy on the spice, knowing their clientele. There are three safe options that were fairly standard at every Indian breakfast buffet:

1. Idli

Idli is a type of savory steamed rice cake, not entirely unlike a Chinese bao in texture. It’s made out of fermented black lentils and rice, and normally served with coconut chutney with the option to sprinkle a little (or a lot) of curry spice on top.

2. Dosa

Dosa is similar to a pancake or crepe in appearance, but it’s made with rice and black gram (a type of bean grown on the Indian subcontinent). It’s spread thin on a hot skillet and cooked until crispy. Traditionally, it’s served with sambar, a warm, sometimes-spicy soup, and chutney. Sometimes it's stuffed with a mixture of potatoes and paneer.

3. Vada

Vada looks like an unglazed donut, but it’s actually a savory snack that’s made with ingredients ranging from legumes to potatoes. They’re generally fairly mild and also substantially dense, so they make a great non-spicy breakfast to power you through the day. They show up in another delicious dish called dahi vada, which is basically vadas soaked in a thick yogurt sauce — also an excellent option when you’re looking for something calming for your stomach!

Now that you’ve made it past breakfast and you’re out and about exploring, you’ll inevitably end up staring at a menu wondering what on earth you should order for your next meal. Breads and plain rice are always the safest, but you’ll want something to sop up with that freshly baked and buttery garlic naan.

4. Butter chicken or butter paneer

These are generally pretty safe choices when it comes to non-spicy Indian food. Paneer is normally a mildly spicy curry dish, as it includes lots of cream and yogurt in the preparation. Plus, if you order a side dish of yogurt, you can really control the spice level with the sauce and it makes a great dish for dipping all the breads.

5. Tikka chicken

Tikka is something you might be familiar with if you frequent Indian restaurants. It normally refers to a piece of chicken or meat that’s been marinated in yogurt and spices and then grilled. The spice can sometimes be a little hot, but if you order a side of raita (a condiment made with yogurt and raw or cooked vegetables) to cool the palate, it’s absolutely perfect.

6. Aloo gobi

Aloo gobi is a wonderful alternative to meat, as it’s made with potato and cauliflower spiced with all the delicious Indian spices. Vegetarian dishes are absolutely incredible in India, and even if you’re an avid carnivore, make sure you save room to try some of the vegetarian offerings!

7. Saag paneer

Saag paneer consists of leafy greens (spinach, mustard greens, or collard greens). It’s normally medium to mild in flavor and served with roti, a kind of flatbread. Especially since you’re traveling in a country where fresh salads aren’t the safest to eat, you’ll want to get your greens fix in for sure, and this is a terrific way to do it.

By and large some of the most appealing dishes in any country come from the streets, and India is no exception. However, whenever eating street foods always be aware of where they’re being made, as cleanliness is an issue. That said, if you come across some of these street food classics, give them a try.

8. Pani puri or dahi puri

Pani puri or dahi puri are very common street snacks and consist of round, hollow fried crisps called puri that are filled with a mixture of water, chutney, chili, chaat masala, potato, onion, or chickpeas. They’re very mild and delicious; the only thing you have to be really careful about is making sure they’re made with bottled mineral water.

9. Samosas

Samosas are wonderful pockets of deep-fried goodness that are generally stuffed with a variety of potatoes, peas, and onions. Now, I’m going to put a big warning on these, as they really do run the gamut from spicy to mild, so be sure to ask for non-spicy ones — or if you have a taste-tester buddy, let them take the first bite!

10. Gulab jamus

Gulab jamus are perhaps one of the most amazing things you’ll ever eat. These sweet and sticky fried dough balls soaked in a sugared syrup are not only the perfect way to end a meal, but they really do kill the spice from any dish! And if you do accidentally order something that’s out of your tolerance range, be sure to wash it down with a sweet mango lassi!

Caffeine-Free Cold Drinks

Lemonade

Starbucks' lemonade may be caffeine-free, but it still packs a punch with a zesty sip.

Blended Lemonade

You can also order the lemonade blended, which combines the drink with ice for a slushy consistency. This is one of the easiest caffeine-free Starbucks drinks to order!

Peach Lemonade

For something sweeter, order the Starbucks lemonade with a splash of peach juice!

Blended Peach Lemonade

You can also get the Peach Lemonade in a blended version for an icier feel. This caffeine-free Starbucks drink is perfect for summertime.

Strawberry Lemonade

If you aren't keen on the peachy flavor, then Starbucks also has strawberry that you can add to lemonade to keep it caffeine-free.

Blended Strawberry Lemonade

Try ordering this beverage blended for a fun twist on the classic caffeine-free Starbucks drinks!

Milk

This one feels like a no-brainer, but not many people know that you can order straight-up cold milk (whole, 2%, skim, almond, oat) from the Starbucks register. If you're craving it on the go, you know where to find it.

Caffeine-Free Teas

Passion Tango Tea

The Starbucks Passion Tango Tea comes iced and brings forth flavors from apple, hibiscus, and lemongrass for a vibrant (non-caffeinated) bev! You can also order this caffeine-free Starbucks drink with a splash of lemonade for a very juicy balance.

Mint Majesty Tea

The herbal teas at Starbucks are free from caffeine, and our #1 fave is the Mint Majesty. It's used to make the Honey Citrus Mint Tea (AKA the Medicine Ball), providing a nice aromatic mint feel compared to other caffeine-free Starbucks drinks.

Peach Tranquility Tea

The Peach Tranquility is a bit on the sweeter side, and provides a great opportunity to warm up during the colder months.

Caffeine-Free Frappuccinos

Vanilla Bean Crème Frappuccino

Vanilla bean powder, milk, and ice are blended to create this whipped cream-topped Frapp. It's still sweet, but nixes the caffeine entirely.

Caramel Ribbon Crunch Crème Frappuccino

This Frappuccino flavor is similar, except it's quite strong on the caramel, and has some interesting crunchiness to it from the little caramel bits that they shake in. Dessert-y caffeine-free Starbucks drinks FTW!

White Chocolate Crème Frappuccino

Additionally, you can order a crème Frappuccino with white chocolate (or more popularly, white mocha). You can also order this pick with regular mocha for a tasty caffeine-free Starbucks drink.

Caramel Brulée Crème Frappuccino

This Frapp is flavored with one of the best seasonal syrups, Caramel Brulée, and gets topped with whipped cream and little bruléed bits for a yummy caffeine-free Starbucks drink.

Peppermint White Chocolate Crème Frappuccino

Skip the caffeine rush and aim for a full-on sugar rush with this minty Frappuccino. Like the White Chocolate Crème one, you can also swap the white mocha for regular mocha.

Chestnut Praline Crème Frappuccino

Spiced praline crumbs adorn this frozen bev that's featured on the Starbucks winter menu.

Strawberry Crème Frappuccino

This fruity yet creamy Starbucks caffeine-free drink gives you a dose of strawberry puree and sweet cream.

Caffeine-Free Hot Drinks

Hot Chocolate

The Hot Chocolate and White Hot Chocolate are both easy and comforting caffeine-free Starbucks drinks to refer to during the winter.

Peppermint Hot Chocolate

You can also order the hot chocolates with peppermint syrup for even more spirited caffeine-free Starbucks drinks.

Milk Steamers

Grab any kind of milk that Starbucks carries hot for a comforting, caffeine-free sip.

Vanilla Steamer

The Vanilla Steamer is just hot milk with vanilla syrup for that extra dose of flavor.

Chestnut Praline Steamer

You can get any Steamer with any sort of syrup, but the Chestnut Praline is a fan-fave when it comes to caffeine-free Starbucks drinks.

Sugar Cookie Steamer

The Sugar Cookie Steamer with almond milk is an elite Starbucks caffeine-free drink.

Steamed Apple Juice

Alternatively, order steamed apple juice for a less dense hot drink.

Caramel Apple Spice

This underdog drink is apple juice enhanced with cinnamon syrup, whipped cream, and a caramel drizzle.