Tag Archives: healthy Indian recipes

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Healthy Indian Mixed vegetable Koftas

Healthy Mixed Vegetable Koftas (made in appe pan)

Category:Indian Dietitian Online,Recipes- Side Dish Tags : 

Here’s a healthy take on the delicious Koftas-presenting the Healthy Mixed Vegetable Kofta brimming with nutritious vegetables and not deep fried.

Wondering how to make Healthy Mixed Vegetable Koftas? These are a little more time consuming as they are made in an appe pan.  What you will need is a special ‘appe pan’ which has 5-7 or more round holes. The batter is poured into these holes and the resulting appe is almost round like a ball. Check out the Healthy Appe recipe if you are interested in making Mixed Vegetable appe (using dosa batter).

Healthy Mixed Vegetable Koftas made in Appe pan

Ingredients for making Healthy Mixed Vegetable Koftas:

  • For the koftas-
  • Finely chopped and blanched mixed vegetables ( French beans, carrots, peas) – 2 cups
  • Cauliflower boiled, peeled and mashed – 2 no medium
  • Besan- 1 tbsp
  • Paneer – Grated 1 cup
  • Psyllium husk: to coat
  • Green chilies, finely chopped – 2-3 no
  • Finely chopped ginger – 1 tbsp
  • Red chili powder – 1/2 tsp
  • Salt – to taste
  • Oil – 1 tbsp
  • For the gravy-
  • Oil – 2 tbsp
  • Butter – 1 tbsp
  • Cinnamon stick – 1 inch
  • Green cardamoms – 5-6 no
  • Black peppercorns – 1 tsp
  • Cumin seeds – 1 tsp
  • Bottle gourd, cut into cubes and boiled – 100 grams
  • Red chili powder – 1 tsp
  • Coriander powder – 1 tbsp
  • Turmeric powder – a pinch
  • Cumin powder – 1/4 tsp
  • Garam masala powder – 1/2 tsp
  • Fresh coriander leaves roughly chopped – 1/2 cup
  • Mint leaves roughly chopped – 1/2 cup
  • Tomato purée – 1/2 cup
  • Fresh cream – 1/2 cup (optional)
  • Salt: to taste

Method:-

  1. To make the gravy, heat oil in a kadai. Add cinnamon, green cardamoms, black peppercorns, cumin seeds and saute for a minute on a low flame.
  2. Add bottle gourd, red chili powder, coriander powder, turmeric powder, cumin powder, garam masala powder and mix well.
  3. Add bhuna masala and mix well. Add roughly mint leaves and mix. Switch off.
  4. When cool transfer the mixture into a blender and grind into a puree using very little water.
  5. Transfer the gravy into a bowl and keep aside.
  6. To make the koftas, mix together mixed vegetables, mashed potatoes, paneer, besan, green chilies, ginger, red chili powder, salt and mix well.
  7. Coat with psyllium husk.
  8. Heat an appe pan, add a drop of oil into each . Make equal size balls of the mixture and place into each groove. Cover and let it fry for 1-2 minutes, then turn with a toothpick/fork and cook it on all sides. Once all the koftas are cooked, keep aside.
  9. Heat a little butter/ghee in a kadai. Add the tomato puree and cook for 2 minutes. Add fresh cream (optional)and mix well. Allow the gravy to come to a boil. Simmer for 1-2 minutes.
  10. Transfer the gravy into a serving dish, add the koftas, garnish with chopped coriander leaves and serve hot with rice/ roti.

More recipes with the appe pan:

Healthy Mixed vegetable Appe


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Chicken Tikka (Low Carb Indian Recipes)

Category:Indian Dietitian Online,Recipes-Healthy Appetizer Tags : 

 An excellent source of protein, cooked chicken offers a wide range of nutritional benefits. Besides protein, it also contains vitamin B12, B6 & niacin and minerals like Zinc, Magnesium and Selenium.

For those on a low carb diet, you can pair this Chicken Tikka with a bowl of salad and some grilled veggies.

Ingredients for Chicken Tikka:

Chicken thighs: 1 kg ( cut into 2″ pieces)

Ginger garlic paste : 2 tbsp

Kashmiri chili powder:4 tsp.

Lemon juice: Juice of 1 lemon

Oil/ Butter/Ghee: 3 Tbsp

Besan:  2 Tbsp

Turmeric powder :¼ tsp

Yogurt : ½ cup

Black salt : ¼ tsp

Garam Masala powder:  1½ tsp

Chat masala : ½ tsp

Salt: to taste

Method:

  1. Roast the besan in a kadai till you get the cooked aroma. Let it cool.
  2. Make the marinade for the Chicken tikka with all the ingredients mentioned. Taste the marinade for salt/seasonings.
  3. Add the cut and cleaned chicken pieces into the marinade and mix well to coat all the pieces.
  4. Let it marinade overnight (or at least for 3-4 hours)
  5. Preheat the oven to 180C.
  6. Place the chicken on a tray and bake for about 20 mins.
  7. Take the tray out, brush the drippings all over the pieces. Turn them over, brush again with the drippings and some butter and bake for another 8-10 mins.
  8. Remove from oven and brush it with some butter.
  9. Before serving, sprinkle some black salt, chaat masala over the pieces.
  10. Serve with some mint chutney and some onions, lemon wedges and salad.


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Low-carb Mixed-Veg Tikki

Category:Indian Dietitian Online,Recipes-Snacks/Dips Tags : 

Vegetables are important sources of many nutrients, including potassium, dietary fiber, folate (folic acid), vitamin A, and vitamin C. These nutrients are important for overall health and maintenance of our bodies.

This Low-carb Mixed Veg tikki is a great way to add additional vegetables to the daily diet. Eaten as a snack, it introduces vegetables into the diet as a snack.

Ingredients for Low-carb Mixed Veg tikki:

Cauliflower: 2 cup

Green beans: 1 cup

Carrots: 1/2 cup

Peas: 1/2 cup

Coriander leaves: 2 tbsp

Ginger+ Garlic paste: 1 tbsp

Green chilies: 2-3nos (as per heat tolerance)

Garam masala: 1/2 tsp

Besan: 1/2 cup (optional)

Psyllium husk: 6 tbsp

Butter/Ghee: 1 tbsp

Salt: to taste

Mint leaves: 1 tbsp

Method:

  1. Steam all the veggies till they are tender.
  2. Make a paste of the green chilies, coriander and mint leaves.
  3. Once cool, mash the cauliflower well, add salt, butter/ghee, garam masala, coriander paste, ginger garlic, besan and mix well.
  4. Add the rest of the veggies and mix well. Taste the mix and adjust the salt/seasonings.
  5. Divide the mix into small balls of equal size.
  6. Flatten it into thin tikki.
  7. Put the psyllium husk into a plate. Roll the tikki in the husk and shake off any excess.
  8. You can either bake the tikki at 180C for 15-20 mins (turning once) or shallow fry it.
  9. Serve hot with chutney and some salad.

Variation:

  1. Add some grated paneer/cheese to the mix to get extra protein.


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Ashgourd Majjigehuli (Wintermelon curd curry/ Ashgourd Morukulambu)

Category:Indian Dietitian Online Tags : 

Ashgourd (Kumbalkay in Kannada, Kumhda in Hindi, Vellai Poosanikai in Tamil) is a common and highly revered vegetable in India. It is also used in Hindu religious ceremonies.

It is supposed to be a light vegetable and easy to digest, so best for those who find it difficult to digest heavy foods.

Pumpkin, Squash, Vegetables, Benefit From, Harvest Time
Ashgourd/Wintermelon

Here is a simple curd curry using Ashgourd:

Ingredients for the majjige huli:

  • Ashgourd/Wintermelon: 500gms cut into cubes
  • Coconut: 1 cup grated(fresh/frozen)
  • Channa dal/split chickpeas: 1tbsp soaked in water for 1/2hour (optional)
  • Green chillies: 2-3
  • Cumin seeds/zeera: 1tsp
  • Mustard seeds: 1tsp
  • Yogurt/ curd: 1 cup (should be slightly sour)
  • Water: 2-3 cups
  • Salt: to taste

For the tempering:

  • Mustard seeds: 1tsp
  • Cumin seeds/zeera: 1tsp
  • Urad dal: 1tsp
  • Curry leaves:3-4 nos.
  • Oil: 1tsp

Method:

  1. Boil the Ashgourd/Wintermelon in just enough water till half done.
  2. In the meanwhile grind the coconut,green chillies, the soaked channa dal(optional), mustard and cumin seeds till you get a fine paste (add a little water when grinding).
  3. When the ashgourd/Wintermelon is half cooked add the ground masala and a cup of water and let it boil.
  4. Add salt, yogurt and another cup of water and cook for a minute or two.
  5. In a separate pan, heat the oil and add the mustard,cumin and the urad dal. Wait till the mustard starts to pop, add the curry leaves , then pour the tempering over the majjige huli and mix.
  6. Serve the majjige huli hot with parboiled rice or regular rice.

Q: What is your favorite side dish to go with rice?

Sweta Uchil

Indian Online Dietitian


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Palak and peanut stir fry

Quick and Easy Spinach-peanut stir fry

Category:Indian Dietitian Online Tags : 

Spinach or palak is a powerhouse of nutrition and is an excellent source of vitamin K, vitamin A, vitamin C and folate as well as being a good source of manganese, magnesium, iron and vitamin B2.

This is a quick and easy recipe that is my go-to when I’m in a hurry or when I’m just feeling too lazy to make an elaborate dish with palak/spinach. I call it my ‘Lazy spinach stir-fry’ which I make often as everyone seems to love it and I never have any leftovers now matter how many bunches of palak I use to make this.

Ingredients for the Easy Spinach and peanut stir-fry:

Spinach/Palak: 2-3 bunches (washed, dried and chopped into small pieces)

Roasted peanuts: 1 big handful (crushed coarsely)

Red chili flakes: 1-2 tsp (or as per heat tolerance)

Olive oil/Ghee/ Coconut oil: 1 tbsp

Garlic: 5-6 cloves (finely chopped)

Salt: to taste

Lime juice: a dash

Method:

  1. Heat the oil in a kadai, add the chopped ginger. Then add the red chili flakes and the chopped spinach leaves and saute on high heat till the water evaporates.
  2. Keep stirring and switch off the kadai when the spinach is wilted. Switch off.
  3. Mix the crushed roasted peanuts and salt.
  4. Add a dash of lime and mix.
  5. Serve the easy spinach and peanut stir fry as a side to rice and dal.


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How to Choose the Right Indian Diet Plan for Healthy Weight Loss?

Category:Indian Dietitian Online,Nutrition Articles Tags : 

Have you made your New Year’s resolution to lose weight and are looking for the right Indian Diet plan for healthy weight loss? Then here is the checklist of what you should look for before signing up for it.

Desi Diet Plans

  1. Do they plan Indian Diet Plans for Healthy weight loss? This is most important especially if you are living outside India. If you sign up without finding this out you will be stuck with a fantastic diet plan or package but which is of no use for you since the foods are all Western! Let’s face it-we may live abroad, love the Western lifestyle and the amenities that is offered there, but at the end of the day, we still want to eat our ‘desi khaana”. Akhir dil hain Hindustani!!
  2. Is there a real dietitian or are you expected to interact with a computer? No really-think about it!! Why pay for a computer generated diet chart?
  3. Check the credentials of the person: With every Tom,Dick and Harry giving out diet advice these days, you need to be careful about who you sign up with. Look for a qualified dietitian who has worked at least a couple of years in a hospital. Most dietitians who have worked in a hospital know the dangers of crash dieting and are vary about prescribing the same to clients.
  4. Do they recommend fad diets? Some websites push fad diets (fruit diet, juice diet, GM diet,Cabbage diet ) to show immediate results. But remember-these results don’t last. Not only that, there is a danger of nutritional deficiencies and severe hair loss after sometime. Do you really want that? Or would do you want something that helps you keep the weight off forever? It’s your choice-but it’s your body that will pay for what you choose!
  5. Are the Indian Diets planned for you or are they chosen from previously printed plans? Diets need to be planned, not printed off the internet. It’s like going to the doctor and getting a check-up and by google. Would you really do that? You want something that is specific to you-one size does not fit all in the case of diets!! So don’t be fooled by websites who take money to dole out pre-planned diet charts.
  6. Will the weight loss Indian diet be planned according to your eating habits? Again what’s the point of eating something which you are not used to eating? For example-if you are a South Indian and the diet planned is a typically North Indian diet. It’s just not right for you.
  7. Will there be follow-ups? You need to have your diet reviewed basically to see how you are doing on it and if any changes are required.
If this is exactly what you want, then do get in touch with me to schedule an appointment as the first step to a new, healthy, YOU!!
To know more about Sweta Uchil Purohit : CLICK HERE: Online Indian DIETITIAN Sweta Uchil
 Click to go to choose the right Indian Diet Plan for Healthy weight loss: Online Diet Consultation Packages

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Kimchi Uttapam (Indo-Korean Fusion dish-Kimchi Pancakes with a twist)

Category:Indian Dietitian Online Tags : 

We are familiar with Indo-Chinese dishes (Chinese dishes made with Indian flavours), well this is my attempt at making an Indo-Korean dish 🙂

If you’re a regular follower of this website-you would also by now know that I try to add my own healthy twist to dishes, so that my family and clients can get the best of both worlds!

So here is the favourite Korean dish called Kimchi pancake with an Indian and healthy twist. The original recipe calls for ‘all purpose flour/maida’, kimchi, onions, salt and sugar. To make it healthier-I substituted the maida with rava(semolina/farina) , rice flour(to make it crisp) and a little besan(to bind it). For those who are not familiar with Korean cuisine, kimchi is a staple and a must have accompaniment of meals. It’s basically a fermented dish with different vegetables and spices. The most popular is the made with napa cabbage. Buying kimchi would probably be frowned upon in Korean families. They make their own kimchi and each family is supposed to have their own recipe handed down from generation to generation. Some families have an entire fridge stocked with just different varieties of kimchi and nothing else-that should give you some inkling as to the importance of kimchi in Korean cuisine. Kimchi is not just eaten as a side with meals, but there are various dishes made with it like Kimchi Fried Rice, Kimchi stew, Kimchi dumplings, Kimchi wraps and so on.

Kimchi being a fermented food has loads of health benefits. To read more about the benefits of fermented foods read my article: Benefits of Fermented foods

Coming back to the recipe, since I have not been handed down the kimchi recipe, I did the next best thing- I bought it in bulk at Costco! If you have a Korean neighbour or friend do try and get a foolproof recipe (also try and get an invite to watch them make it). Or else try out your favourite Korean restaurant and see if you can buy their in-house kimchi. Here’s my Indo-Korean Kimchi Pancake recipe:

Indo-Korean fusion Kimchi Uttapam

Ingredients for Kimchi Uttapam:

  • Rava/semolina/Farina: 1 cup
  • Rice flour: 1/2 cup
  • Besan/chickpea flour: 2 tbsp
  • Kimchi: 1- 1.5 cups (chopped fine)
  • Kimchi juice(water from the kimchi): 3 tbsp
  • Onion: 1/2 medium(finely diced)
  • Salt:to taste
  • Oil/ghee: to cook
  • Coriander(optional): 3 tbsp (chopped)
  • Carrot (optional): 1 small (grated)
  • Red chili flakes(optional): 2-3 tsp
  • Curd/yogurt(optional): 2 tbsp

Method:

  1. Mix all the ingredients together (the optional items are not added in traditional kimchi pancakes, so it’s upto you) with some water to get a thick consistency batter. It shouldn’t be a flowing consistency. Check for salt.
  2. Heat an cast iron tava/dosa tava on medium high heat. Add some oil and spread it with a cut onion( a trick my grandmom used to do to make the tava non-stick).
  3. When it is hot(sprinkle some water on the pan, and it should sizzle), take a ladleful of of the batter and spread evenly onto the tava.
  4. Cover and cook for a few minutes, add some oil to around the edges.
  5. When you see the edges browning, flip over and let it cook on the other side on medium heat for another minute. Flip over once more and let it cook for another 30 seconds.
  6. Serve hot as is. You don’t need any chutney with this as the uttapam itself is very flavourful-tangy(from the kimchi) and spicy.
  7. You can end the meal with some yummy Korean Cinnamon Tea.

Next experiment will be:

  • to make it gluten free (no rava/semolina)
  • to increase the fermented benefits by using fermented dosa batter.
  • to try out a low-carb version

So stay tuned for these recipes. To read more about the benefits of fermented foods read my article: Benefits of Fermented foods

Do try: Korean Cinnamon Tea

Sweta Uchil-Purohit

Indian Dietitian Online

 

 


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Healthy Oats Pulav/ Upma (with Mixed Vegetables)

Category:Indian Dietitian Online Tags : 

Oats are a rich source of both soluble and insoluble fibre and this makes it a great food for those trying to lower cholesterol. Besides fibre, oats is also loaded with magnesium, phosphorus, thiamine and zinc. So with such an impressive resume-why is it one of least popular grains especially among Indians?

Blame it on the mushy, gooey texture when cooked with liquids. Also, oats porridge by itself is so bland that you end up adding lots of sugar to make it palatable, thus making an otherwise healthy dish into a totally non-healthy dish. So, what is the solution? How can we use the oh-so-good oats and make a dish that is tasty, palatable and not mushy or gooey?

Here’s the answer: Oats upma Or Oats Pulav (the difference is in what you use for seasoning). For upma add a tadka of mustard seeds, jeera, channa dal, curry leaves while for the pulav add whole spices like cardamom, peppercorns, shahi jeera, cinnamon sticks and ginger+garlic paste.

Ingredients :

  • Rolled Oats – 1 cup
  •  Onion – 1 medium
  •  Green chilli – 1 slit lengthwise
  •  Ginger- 1 inch piece finely chopped
  • Mixed vegetables – 1 cup (mix of carrot, beans, peas, cauliflower)
  • Water- 3/4 cup
  • Peanuts: a handful
  • Turmeric: 1/4 tsp
  • Coriander leaves: 2 tbsp chopped(for garnish)
  • Lime juice: 2 tbsp
  • Salt: to taste

For the Tempering:

  •    Oil – 1 tbsp
  •    Mustard seeds -1 tsp
  •    Channa dal- 1/2 tsp
  •    Red chilli -1 broken
  •    Hing- a pinch
  •    Curry leaves-few

Method:

  1. Dry roast oats for a few minutes, until it becomes slightly hot to touch.
  2. Heat oil in a pan, add mustard seeds, when it splutters, add the rest of the ingredients for tempering and the turmeric.
  3. Then add finely chopped onions, peanuts, green chili, ginger and saute until onions turn translucent.
  4. Add all the vegetables,salt and saute for a few more minutes, then add 3/4 cup of water and salt required.
  5. When the  water starts boiling, lower the flame add the roasted oats, cover and cook till done.
  6. Switch off and garnish with coriander.
  7. Serve hot with a dash of lime. You can also serve chutney with it.

Here are some healthy chutney recipes:


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Crispy Chicken Cutlets-Indian Style (Low Carb, High Protein Recipe, Gluten free)

Category:Indian Dietitian Online Tags : 

Here’s a High Protein, Low-carb recipe of Chicken cutlets with no potatoes. To make it crispy and still keep it low-carb, I have used Psyllium husk to coat the cutlets before frying.

Now psyllium husk is a commonly known as Isabgol in India. It has been used for ages to treat constipation. It is now becoming popular as a low carb addition to foods.

Ingredients for Crispy Chicken Cutlets:

  • Chicken mince: 400gms
  • Onions: 1 medium (finely diced)
  • Green chilies: 2 (finely chopped)
  • Coriander leaves: 5 tbsp (finely chopped)
  • Mint leaves: 8-10(finely chopped)
  • Ginger+Garlic Paste: 1.5 tsp
  • Mashed cauliflower: 1/2 cup
  • Roasted gram flour(Besan): 2-3  tbsp
  • Melted butter/ghee: 1 tbsp
  • Psyllium husk(Isabgol): 1/2-1  cup for coating
  • Salt: to taste
  • Oil: for pan frying

Method:

  1. Mix all the ingredients together well and keep it in the fridge for 1/2-1hr.
  2. Heat a little oil in a pan, make a ball of the mixture, then flatten it into a patti shape.
  3. Roll it in the psyllium husk and place in the pan one by one.
  4. Turn them over and let them cook till the outside becomes golden brown in colour.
  5. Take them out and serve hot with coriander chutney.

Note: 

These can also be frozen after frying and can be used later as such or as a filling inside wraps/ sandwiches/burgers.

 

 

 

 

 


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Appe with Mixed vegetables(Paddu/ Guliyappa/ Paniyaram/Gundponglu)

Category:Indian Dietitian Online Tags : 

Appe is a common breakfast dish in Mangalore. It’s also popular in the other Southern states and is called Paadu/Guliyappa in Karnataka, Paniyaram in Tamil Nadu, Gundponglu in AP and Telengana. And called ‘dosa in a ball’ by my daughter!

It’s made with the dosa batter in a special ‘appe pan’ which has 5-7 or more round holes. The batter is poured into these holes and the resulting appe is almost round like a ball.

Appe, Paddu, Paniyaram pan

Here’s a healthier version of the recipe in which I have added sauteed mixed veggies into the batter to make it more nutritious and can be packed and taken for lunch :

Ingredients for the Batter:
  • Idly Rice: 3/4 cup
  •  Raw Rice: 1/4 cup
  • Urad Dal: 1/2 cup
  • Fenugreek seeds: 1/2 tsp

Other Ingredients: 

  • Carrots: 1 medium (finely diced)
  • Green Beans: 1/2 cup
  • Peas: 1/2 cup
  • Green Chilli: 1 finely chopped (optional)
  • Curry leaves: 10-15 nos., finely chopped
  • Onion: 1 medium, finely chopped
  •  Salt: to taste
  • Coriander leaves: 3 tbsp, finely chopped
  • Oil/ghee/butter
Method:
  1. Wash the idly rice, raw rice, fenugreek seeds and whole urad dal then soak for 6-8 hours.
  2. Grind the soaked mixture with enough water to get a smooth batter.
  3. Transfer the ground batter to a clean vessel and cover it and let it ferment in a warm place overnight.
  4. Heat oil in a pan and add the curry leaves, onions green chili(optional) .
  5. Saute till the onions are soft. Add the chopped veggies and the coriander leaves and sautee till the veggies are cooked. Add the salt. Remove from heat and set aside to cool
  6. Add this mixture when cool to the batter and mix well.
  7. Heat the appe pan till its really hot(test by sprinkling water-it should sizzle). Add a little oil/ butter/ ghee into each mold. Drop the batter to fill the mold. Cover and cook for a minute. Then turn and cook on the other side till its golden in colour.
  8. The appe should be crispy and golden on both sides.
  9. Serve hot with chutney.