Indian Lunch Recipes- Who doesn’t wish for a wholesome lunch? But the times we live in today, getting even 15 minutes off to savour our meal seems like a distant reality. As such we tend to quickly grab a meal without caring much about the calories or the nutritional content, and this is where we go wrong, causing harm to ourselves. The lunch hours of the day are when our metabolism is at its peak. You’re partially burned out and are looking forward to the first long break of the day. You might huddle in front of a television, eat at your desk or at the small table in your office cafeteria, but what you need to remember is that lunch helps you recover from the first half of your day and recharge you for what’s about to come. Which is why it needs to be the ideal balance of protein, fiber, sugar and fat – basically all things good.
Also Read: 17 Best Indian Dinner Recipes | Easy Dinner Recipes
According to Rev. Benita Francis Chemnitz, author of the book How to Maximize Your Brain, “the calories you consume at lunch should have fewer carbohydrates and more protein. Increase your intake of protein foods like seafood, turkey, tofu and legumes. And eat them before you eat the carbohydrates because they’ll wake up your brain!” A light and lean source of protein helps provide your muscles with amino acids they need to continue rebuilding and reshaping themselves.
Add some vegetables to this mix and we promise you’ll feel healthier than ever. Some basic dishes you could try are healthy chickpea and corn salad, chicken sandwich, a bowl of quinoa, poha or a big bowl of soup and chicken. Roger Troy Wilson, author of the book ‘Let’s do Lunch’ says, “adding vegetables and fruits in your lunch provides lots of valuable vitamins and minerals to a person’s overall eating plan. This includes potassium, folate, niacin, vitamin A, vitamin B6 and B12, vitamin C, minerals and phytochemicals.” He also suggests that you lose potato, rice and foods made from flour. This means no rolls, buns, bagels, pasta, noodles or crackers. Not unless they’re made with whole wheat flour.
So, learn to cook. Food that’s new and the kind that you’ll want to savour. Don’t sweat the meal prep and just follow our lead.
Take a look at our 15 heart-stoppingly delicious recipes. Find an apron and get cooking!
1. Masala Bhindi
A delicious dish made with freshly bought okra. Grab some mustard oil, cumin seeds, fennel seeds, finely-chopped onions, ginger and a pinch of amchoor. We promise you’ll make this recipe a regular affair in your weekly menu.
Masala Bhindi is a perfect side dish for lunch which you can cook in a jiffy.
2. Chana Kulcha
A classic dish that never goes out of style. The quintessential chana kulcha needs only a few ingredients – cumin powder, ginger, coriander powder, carom powder and some mango powder, which is what gives the chana it’s sour and tangy taste.
A popular dish from Punjab that is loved throughout the country.
3. Shahi Egg Curry
Eggs are a versatile food that can be cooked for any meal of the day. From breakfast to dinner, it can be a go-to food. Here is a mildly-spiced egg curry made with garlic, onions, a whole lot of kasuri methi, fresh cream, yogurt and fresh coriander. It can be paired with plain chapati, paratha, rice, biryani or pulao depending upon your choice. You can also serve pickle along with it
This egg recipe is super easy and quick to cook for lunch or even a dinner party.
4. Gujarati Kadhi
A staple in almost every household, Gujarati kadhi is a lovely curry which is simple, light and it’s very easy to make. A lovely Gujarati-style kadhi made with yogurt, gram flour, curry leaves and ginger, this one has sweet undertones. This cooling curry is great to escape the heat.
A kadhi with a sweet and sour tinge. this is easy and quick. Pair with rice for a whole meal.
5. Allahabad Ki Tehri
Also known as vegetable pulao, this one pot rice meal is unique to the rich state of Uttar Pradesh. It’s aromatic, made with a lot of bright vegetables, fiery masalas and topped with desi ghee. Cook for lunch accompanied with curd.
With a spoonful of ghee on top, this Allahabad Tehri recipe is a must try.
6. Low Fat Dahi Chicken
A low-fat chicken curry made with marinated pieces of chicken, turmeric, red chilli, garlic paste, green chilli, tomatoes and fresh coriander. A perfect chicken recipe to cook for lunch, pair with rice or chapati. Relish your favourite chicken, guilt-free!
Your favourite chicken dish made completely low cal.
7. Kolhapuri Vegetables
A vegetarian dish with its root in Maharashtra, Kohlapuri vegetables are made with a string of glorious vegetables, ginger-garlic paste, grated onion, cinnamon, cloves and a lot of coconut.
Kohlapuri vegetables is an eclectic mix of vegetables with dessicated coconut and is traditionally known to be spicy.
8. Black Channa and Coconut Stew
A light stew which brings together delicate vegetables like zucchini, eggplant, bottle gourd and black channa, is one you should be having. Especially if you’re looking for a healthy quick fix.
A host of veggies and herbs come together to make this healthy, hearty treat.
9. Urlai Roast
Oh, this one’s a real delight! Perfectly boiled baby potatoes cooked in a peppery Chettinad masala, onions and tomatoes.
Serve Urlai Roast along with rice or appams and you’ll not be able to resist this dish.
10. Paneer Achaari
Don’t get intimidated by the list of ingredients because not only are already in your kitchen cabinet, but also because all they’ll need is 20 minutes of your time. Chunks of cottage cheese cooked in some exciting spices, yogurt and a pinch of sugar.
A vegetarian’s delight, paneer achaari is packed with chatpate flavours.
11. Dal Makhani
A Punjabi staple, Dal Makhani is a quintessential Indian dish with many variations found in different regions of our country as well as abroad. A luscious, creamy dal recipe loaded with butter, this can be served with naan or paratha or accompany with some cooked rice. YOU can prepare this for lunch or cook for dinner parties as well.
The quintessential North-Indian delight, Dal Makhani is an irresistible dal dish, loaded with butter.
12. Punjabi Dal Tadka
This Punjabi dal tadka is a mouth-watering dish served with roti, naan or rice. Any north Indian menu is incomplete without this tadka dal.
13. Kashmiri Rajma
Rajma is a popular Indian curry made with kidney beans. This recipe is made with aroma of Kashmiri garam masala and a host of other spices.
14. Paneer Tamatar Ki Subzi
Paneer cooked in a tomato gravy along with spices. This can be your easy and quick go-to recipe for lunch or even dinner.
15.Paneer Kofta
This paneer kofta is stuffed with aromatic goodness of raisins and khoya along with various spices, deep fried and simmering hot in a creamy gravy.
Some of you might find cooking lunch to be a daunting task. With an exhaustive list of chores, pending work and an untidy house, who has the time to wake up early and pack lunch? And even if you were able to drag yourself off the bed, you’ll usually end up cooking what you already know. Where’s the fun in that? If truth be told, there’s a war on health going on and the only way to make it through is to ditch packaged and processed food. And also the local restaurant that’s on your speed dial.
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