Selecting menus can be very natural to many housewives and cooks, while it can be a colossal task for those beginners just into cooking, or newly wed brides who are too nervous to put things together on their own, in their new environment. Then there are those guys and gals cooking up meals for themselves, juggling studies and home and job.

These loners, who are busy chasing a studies and in turn a career need not eat dreary run of the mill fast-foods or eat out-of-a- sandwich-bag meals. With a little bit of interest and organising, they can make their meals in a jiffy, at the same time reduce time used in cooking to the minimum.

They may even get to like doing it!! Keep one golden rule in mind "Stock up the freezer making ready to use stuff when you can spare the time, and keep the daily cooking simple".

Of course there are the special sections like "bachelor dishes, quick eats, simple dishes, etc. to guide them, too". Still others are those who want to venture into newer combinations and adventurous menus., always ready to try something new and innovative.

For them the options are limitless. However, in all cases one must keep in mind that a meal is a daily affair. We feed ourselves and others, not only to survive but to stay fit and healthy to take on life with a smile. Junk food never did anyone harm if eaten once in a way, depending on the state of your health and age. But good wholesome meals are a must, and must become a way of life. And they need never become dull, dreary sessions which no one wants to look forward to.

Select menus and dishes to suit the moods. Sometimes your own, sometimes your loved ones', and sometimes a free for all. Let's see now, if you've had a real hard day, with and are fagged out, then choose veggies that can be prepared in a jiffy.

Skip the sweetdish and opt for an icecream outing with the family and friends, (don't make it a habit though). Substitute bread or rice for chappatis to cut work. At the same time, choose a bread which is filling but nutritious too, like wheat or bran. On the other hand, if you?ve really not been doing much around for some time, and have plenty of time on your hands, then it's time to get going and put up a lavish spread for family or friends.

Surprise them with all those complicated looking (though most dishes get simple once you follow the steps), and bask in the compliments that will pour your way. Vegetarian cooking in general, and Indian vegetarian cookery in particular, provide such a vast variety of dishes that it is mindboggling.

Permutations and combinations, will make the list almost endless. Therefore, I present only a few sample menus, and leave the rest to your imagination and a fairly large and growing recipe stock in my book to choose from. One must also keep in mind seasonal changes while selecting. A beautiful "doodh kamal" which is so very inviting in the summer would not be a very good idea for winter meals.

Similarly, stress on the more cooling raitas, dips and chilled soups, accompanying less spicy veggies in hot seasons. While, piping hot soups, gravied veggies, dals, warming sweet dishes straight out of the burner, would tempt the appetite a great deal in winter.

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