When Christalle Fernandes joined our team earlier this year, we learned she was vegetarian. A vegetarian Christian—an oxymoron we thought, but over time we saw how serious she was about her meat-free habits. We’ve known a few, “no meat, but the gravy is fine” kind of vegetarians too who have had to adjust their choice to make it convenient for those around them, but Christalle is hardcore vegetarian Gen Z who doesn`t bend the rules.

And so for Christmas, the time of the year when most tables are laden with chicken curries, vindaloo and sorpotel, her mother makes a paneer bake, which they both have co-invented. It’s paneer marinated in garam masala, chilli powder, and other spices, with diced onions, fried potatoes, and carrots. Sometimes, they switch it up and have a skewer-barbecue, but mostly it’s the bake,eaten with chapattis. This year, mushrooms will be added for a twist.