E-Paper
Why one-pot meals are bringing mindful home cooking back; Vikas Khanna gives his insights
One-pot meals are bringing mindfulness back into everyday cooking, proving simple home-cooked food still offers comfort, calm and connection.
Research-Backed Choices
Every product we recommend is chosen through a combination of Primary Research and Secondary Research.
There was a time when dinner wasn't squeezed between video calls, gym sessions and endless notifications. Someone would be chopping vegetables, another person would be stirring the dal, and somebody else would already be waiting with a plate in hand. The kitchen was noisy, warm and oddly calming all at once.
Now, our homes are packed with gadgets that promise to do the hard work for us. AI can suggest recipes, machines can stir your curry, and smart cookers can finish dinner before you've replied to your emails. Yet, in the middle of all this convenience, one simple style of cooking is quietly making a comeback. One-pot meals. It isn't because people suddenly enjoy washing fewer utensils, though that's definitely a bonus. It is because cooking has become one of the few moments in the day where we can slow down without feeling guilty.
Chef Vikas Khanna puts it beautifully. "You need to turn off your phone for that time, and you need to be mindful of what you're eating and consuming and just be cooking. It's a form of meditation."
That thought stays with you. Somewhere between stirring a simmering pot and tasting the gravy for the third time, the day doesn't seem quite as stressful anymore.
One-pot meals are doing more than saving washing up
There is a reason khichdi, biryani, pulao, pasta, soups and hearty curries never really go out of style. They don't ask for a dozen pans or complicated steps. Everything comes together in one vessel, the flavours build naturally, and dinner feels far less intimidating after a long day.
Vikas feels this is exactly why home cooking is finding its place again. "Cooking ourselves has become necessary, and cooking at the right time where we don't have to have such a big headache of 10 utensils."
It sounds like a practical solution, but there is a lovely emotional side to it too. One pot meals remind us of the food many of us grew up eating. A bubbling kadhai of matar aloo. A pressure cooker whistling away with dal. The giant pot of pulao that somehow fed the whole family and still had leftovers for lunch the next day.
Nobody called it mindful cooking back then. It was simply dinner.
2. CUMIN CO. Enamel Cast Iron Dutch Oven 2.5L, 20 cm
Our Principles
Full Transparency
Every product review clearly lists the Pros and Cons, giving you a balanced view.
Brand Confidence
We focus on products from brands with a proven reputation and long-standing market trust.
No gadget can replace food made with love
During the conversation, we spoke about AI slowly making its way into our kitchens. From automatic cooking machines to appliances that practically cook on their own, technology is changing the way many people prepare meals.
Vikas answered with a question instead.
"If you have to feed your kids, would you like a machine to feed it or would you like to do it yourself?"
The answer almost comes naturally.
Home-cooked food carries something that no smart appliance can measure. It carries patience. It carries care. It carries tiny family habits that get passed on without anyone noticing. The extra spoon of ghee on your dal because your grandmother insisted. The parathas cooked only on cast iron because your mother swore they tasted better. The Sunday omelette your father somehow made the same every week.
Vikas describes cooking in a deeply personal way. "Cooking sensitively... it's between you and God."
It is hard to argue with that. Cooking asks you to stay present. You cannot rush it, and maybe that's exactly why it feels so comforting.
The kitchen is becoming the cosiest room in the house again
There is another reason one-pot cooking feels so current. Our kitchens have changed. Open layouts mean dinner often goes straight from the stove to the dining table. The cookware has become part of the meal instead of something hidden away before guests arrive.
That thinking shaped Vikas' cookware collection as well. "What's being cooked in is now getting onto the table. So that is why it has become so essential that what comes on the table also looks like a work of art."
There is something wonderfully relaxed about placing a steaming pot of biryani in the middle of the table and letting everyone serve themselves. No fancy plating. No endless serving bowls. Just good food and good company.
Interestingly, some of Vikas' strongest food memories come from cast iron cookware. He recalled parathas with just the right char, dosas with perfect colour and his grandmother's methi aloo, all cooked in cast iron. Those flavours stayed with him for years because the cookware was as much a part of the memory as the recipe itself.
For all the technology sitting on our kitchen counters, it is funny how many of us still find comfort in the simplest meals. One pot cooking isn't trying to compete with AI. It is reminding us that sometimes the nicest part of the day begins with switching off the phone, putting something on the stove and giving it your full attention. Dinner tastes better, the sink looks less scary, and your mind gets a small break too.
Similar articles for you
Cushion covers to brighten up your rooms this summer; My top 8 picks
Office chairs with lumbar support: Understanding why this is important for your back
Switched my armchair to an ergonomic office chair: Changed how I work from home
The author of this article holds a Master's Degree in Interior Design and has spent over a decade in research, teaching, and designing homes from scratch.
Disclaimer: At Hindustan Times, we help you stay up-to-date with the latest trends and products. Hindustan Times has an affiliate partnership, so we may get a part of the revenue when you make a purchase. We shall not be liable for any claim under applicable laws, including but not limited to the Consumer Protection Act, 2019, concerning the products. The products listed in this article are in no particular order of priority.
