An Indian Lunch
Leela’s Kitchen offers Springfield diners a healthy option
BY SHANNON FINNELL
LEELA NELAPUDI
PHOTO BY TODD COOPER
eela Nelapudi has always loved making delicious meals. “I cook
every day,” she says. “I love trying flavors, and I always cook
healthy.”
That passion is now blossoming in the commercial kitchen
space at Sprout! in Springfield. Every weekday from 11:30 am to
1:30 pm, as well as during the 3 to 7 pm Friday Sprout! farmers market,
Nelapudi serves up plates of Indian food that are healthy, vegetarian and
delicious.
“I had an interest for a few years,” she says, adding that the former
owner of Evergreen Indian Restaurant, a friend, used to try to tempt her
to work there. “They moved out of town, and I thought, ‘My kids are all
grown, and I don’t have anything much to do, so maybe I can try something
out,’” Nelapudi explains. “I happened to look on Craigslist and found
Sprout! Kitchen.”
In addition to its farmers market, Sprout! has a mission to help small
food businesses get off the ground. Nelapudi cooks in a section of the
3,000-square-foot commercial kitchen, making meals that vary slightly
every day. “The basic food is rice and dahl, which is curried lentils, and
yogurt salad,” she says. “Those two things are always there, but the
vegetable changes every day.” And the list of veggies is long: eggplant,
okra, asparagus, spinach, potatoes, cauliflower and cabbage, just for starters.
“I always had a desire to provide a healthy option for people eating
out — and a different flavor that’s not American,” Nelapudi says. She
cooks with a mix of homemade spices, primarily made of red chili peppers,
cumin, coriander, mustard and turmeric. “It’s from the state where I’m from,
Andhra Pradesh,” she says. “It’s very authentic to my little area there.” ■
L
Check out Leela’s Kitchen 11:30 am to 1:30 pm Monday through Friday as well as during the 3 to 7
pm Friday Sprout! farmers market, 418 A St., Springfield; 228-8327.
Finger
lickin’ good!
30 E Broadway
Tuesday-Th ursday 5-9:30pm
Friday-Saturday 5-10:30pm
Happy Hours **newly extended** 5-7pm
541-683-5896
chow! SUMMER 2014 3