Tag Archives: protein recipes

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Mushroom Masala

Category:Indian Diet Chart,Indian Dietitian Online,Online Dietician India,Uncategorized Tags : 

Most Indians who eat mushrooms are only familiar with the button mushroom, but there are lots of different edible mushrooms. Button mushroom is an excellent low-calorie food, especially for those looking to lose weight and also diabetics. It is rich in protein, enzymes, B vitamins (especially niacin), and vitamin D2.

For more information on mushrooms, read my article which was published in the Complete Wellbeing magazine: Go Mushy over Mushrooms!

Ingredients for Mushroom Masala: Serves 4-6

  • Button Mushrooms: 250gms  chopped (rinse in water, remove dirt gently)
  • Onion: 1 medium (finely chopped)
  • Tomatoes: 2 small or 1 big (diced)
  • Garlic: 3-4 cloves (grated)
  • Ginger: 1/2″ grated
  • Jeera/cumin seeds: 1 tsp
  • Turmeric: 1/4 tsp
  • Red chili powder: 1-2 tsp (or as per your heat tolerance)
  • Coriander powder: 1 tbsp
  • Garam masala: 1/2 tsp
  • Jeera/cumin powder: 1/2 tsp
  • Cilantro/Coriander leaves- 2tbsp (chopped) for garnish
  • Oil: 2 tsp
  • Salt: to taste

Method:

  1. Heat the oil in a kadai, add the cumin seeds, turmeric and the onions.
  2. Stir fry the onions till they become translucent.
  3. Add the tomatoes, ginger-garlic, salt and the spice powders (red chili, coriander, cumin and garam masala) and saute till the oil leaves the the sides and you get a a nice fried aroma.
  4. Add the chopped mushroom and mix well. Cook till the mushroom leaves water and is soft (you can add some water if you want more gravy). Switch off.
  5. Garnish with the chopped cilantro and serve with rice & dal or phulkas.

 

 


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Sattu ka Parantha

Category:Indian Diet Chart,Indian Dietitian Online Tags : 

Sattu is a popular food in UP and Bihar and is made from roasted chickpeas which is ground to a flour. But there are many versions- some also have millets like jowar or barley(jau) and peanuts all ground together. The sattu I bought from the Indian store has chickpeas and barley. Sattu is traditionally had as a porridge for breakfast, as parathas or Sattu ka sharbat (both sweet and salty varieties) is taken as a cooling drink during hot summers.

Ingredients for stuffing:

  • Sattu : 1 Cup
  • Onion: 1 small, finely chopped
  • Green chili:  1 no.  finely chopped (optional) or red chili powder: 1-2 tsp
  • Ginger: 1 tsp grated
  • Ajwain seeds: 1/4 tsp
  • Pickle masala (any pickle oil and masala): 1 tsp
  • Amchur powder: 1-2 tsp or Lemon juice: 2 tsp
  • Jaggery: 1 tsp (optional)
  • Water: a little to bind the stuffing
  • Coriander leaves: 2 tsp finely chopped
  • Salt: to taste
  • Oil: 3 tsp

Ingredients for Paratha:

  • Wheat Flour: 2 Cups
  • Water: 1 cup (or as required for kneading the dough)
  • Oil: 1 tsp
  • Salt: 1/2 tsp

Method:

  1. In a bowl, mix all the ingredients for the stuffing. Mix well and add a little water to bind the stuffing into a ball (it shouldn’t be too dry or too watery). Divide the stuffing into lemon sized balls.
  2. For parathas, take wheat flour, add oil and salt. Adding a little water at a time knead to firm consistency. Let it rest for at least 30 mins.
  3. Knead the dough again, then divide the dough into small lemon sized balls.
  4. Roll out one a little, place a the sattu stuffing in the center of the rolled out dough.
  5. Bring the edges together to form a smooth round ball (like a money bag). You can remove any extra dough at the top)
  6. Dust with dry flour and roll it out .
  7. Heat a tava, place the paratha on it. Let it cook then flip and cook the other side. Add some oil on the cooked sides. Let it cook evenly on both sides .
  8. Serve hot with just yogurt/curd, pickle or baingan ka bharta.

 

 

 

 


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Long Beans Masala (Alasande, karamani, barbati, chawli masala )

Category:Indian Diet Chart,Indian Dietitian Online Tags : 

Long Beans (alsande in Kannada, chawli in marathi , chawli or barbati in hindi,  karamani in tamil) are rich in fibre, protein also contain some amounts of iron, calcium, magnesium, manganese, and potassium, which are  essential for body metabolism.

The addition of curd increases the calcium and protein content of the dish and also gives a creamy texture to the gravy.

Ingredients for Long beans masala: Serves 4-6

  • Long beans /Chawli/Alasande: 250 gms ,break/cut into inch long pieces
  • Potato (optional) :1 medium, cubed
  • Tomato: 2 medium, chopped
  • Yogurt/ Curd: 1/2 cup, beaten
  • Ginger: 1 tsp (grated)
  • Garlic: 1 tsp (grated or finely chopped)
  • Water: 1 cup
  • Cumin seeds: 1/2 tsp
  • Mustard seeds: 1/3 tsp
  • Hing/ Asafoetida: 1/4 tsp
  • Turmeric: 1/2 tsp
  • Chili powder: 1 tsp (add more if you like it spicy)
  • Coriander powder: 2 tsp
  • Garam masala: 1/3 tsp
  • Salt: to taste
  • Oil: 1 tbsp

Method:

  1. Heat oil in a pressure cooker and add cumin and mustard seeds.
  2. When seeds start crackling add asafoetida, turmeric and then add chopped tomato , Grated ginger and garlic.
  3. Add salt and cook till the tomatoes become soft .
  4. Now add the  beaten yogurt/curd and chili powder,coriander powder, garam masala and stir fry  for a minute .
  5. Add chopped beans and potatoes (optional) and stir for a minute .
  6. Now add 3/4 cup water ,mix and you can either cover and cook or pressure cook on medium flame for 2- 3 whistles or till cooked well .
  7. Add more water if you want more gravy.
  8. Serve hot with roti or rice.

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Gujarati Handvo recipe( Mixed lentil savory cake with vegetables)

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

Handvo is a traditional Gujarati savory cake. It is made with a combinations of lentils, rice and buttermilk and vegetable. It can be steamed or baked. It’s makes a great snack or even breakfast option.

Ingredients for Handvo: Serves 6-8 

  • Raw Rice: 1 cup
  • Urad dal: 1/4 cup
  • Tur dal: 1/4 cup
  • Channa dal: 1/4 cup
  • Lauki/bottle gourd: 1 medium grated (or 3 zucchini) squeeze out excess water
  • Yogurt/curd: 1/2 cup
  • Turmeric powder: 3/4 tsp
  • Ginger: 1 ” piece (grated)
  • Green chili: 1-2 (or as per heat tolerance)
  • Sugar/Stevia: 1 tsp
  • Asafoetida/hing: a big pinch
  • Cilantro/corriander leaves: 1 tbsp chopped (for garnish)
  • Oil: 2 tbsp
  • Lemon juice: 1 tsp
  • Eno (fruit salt): 1 tsp
  • Salt: to taste

For tadka(seasoning):

  • Mustard seeds: 1 tsp
  • Sesame seeds: 1 tbsp
  • Curry leaves: a few (tear it into smaller pieces)
  • Asafoetida/hing: a pinch
  • Oil: 1 tbsp

Method:

  1. Wash the rice and dals/lentils and soak in water for 4-6 hours.
  2. Drain the water and blend soaked rice, yogurt, lentil, ginger, green chili to a slightly coarse texture with as little water as possible.
  3. Add turmeric, salt, sugar and asafoetida, blend it again for 2-3 seconds.
  4. Transfer the blended mix into a bowl and let the mix ferment overnight.
  5. In the morning, add the bottle gourd/lauki or zucchini, 2 tablespoons of oil, lemon juice to the fermented dal mixture and mix well.
  6. Add ENO to the mixture and mix again.
  7. Grease a baking pan and pour the handvo mix into the greased pan. Tap the pan to help spread the mix evenly.
  8. Preheat the oven to 180C/350F.
  9. In the meanwhile prepare tadka (seasoning)-heat a tablespoon of oil in a small wok or small pan, add the mustard seeds. When mustard seeds start popping, tear the curry leaves and add to the sesoning along with the asafoetida/hing. Turn off the stove and put the wok on side and let the tadka cool a little. Then add the sesame seeds to it.
  10. Pour the seasoning/tadka over the handvo batter.
  11. Cover the pan with aluminum foil and place the pan on middle oven rack and bake at 350 F (or 180C) for 20mins.
  12. Remove the foil and bake for another 20 minutes (top of the handvo should turn a light golden brown) and test with a knife inserted in center of the cake. If it comes out clean, your handvo is ready.
  13. Let the handvo cool down a bit. Cut into pieces, garnish with cilantro( and serve with chutney.

 


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Ghiya (Lauki) Channa Dal recipe (Bottle Gourd/Doodhi and split Bengal Gram sabzi)

Category:Indian Dietitian Online,Online Dietician India Tags : 

Bottle gourd is a vegetable high in water content and is a good source of vitamin C, K, fibre and calcium. This recipe is great for those who are in a hurry as it has both vegetable and a protein together in one dish.

Bottle Gourd/Lauki/Doodhi/Ghiya

Ingredients for Lauki Channa dal: Serve 4-6 

  • Bottle gourd/Lauki: 1 medium (peeled and cut into cubes)
  • Tomato: 2 medium chopped (or 1 tsp Amchur)
  • Onion: 1 medium sliced
  • Split Bengal gram/channa dal: 1/2 cup
  • Jeera/Cumin seeds:  1/2 tsp
  • Green chilies: 2-3nos. slit
  • Ginger: 1″ piece (grated)
  • Asafoetida/hing: a pinch
  • Turmeric powder: 1/2 tsp
  • Red chili powder: 1/2-1 tsp
  • Garam masala: 1/2 tsp
  • Oil: 2 tsp
  • Salt: to taste
  • Cilantro/Coriander leaves: 2tbsp (chopped)
  • Water: 1 cup

Method:

  1. Wash and soak channa dal for one hour or more.
  2. Heat the oil in a pressure cooker. Add the cumin seeds. When seeds start to crack, add the asafoetida, turmeric and sliced onions. Stir till the onions become translucent.
  3. Add ginger,green chilies and stir for a few seconds. Then add the chopped tomatoes , garam masala, red chili powder and cook till the oil leaves the pan.
  4. Add the channa dal, bottle gourd, salt, and one cup of water .
  5. Cook the channa dal for 3-4 whistles . Turn off the heat, let the pressure drop, then open and add the cilantro. Stir and cover the pan for a few minutes before serving.
  6. Serve with hot phukas/roti or rice and a curry.

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Drumstick Sambar (Moringa Seed pods in spicy lentil curry)

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Almost all Indians are familiar with the ‘Drumstick Tree’ (Moringa Tree) and it’s leaves and seed pods (called Drumsticks) are used from ancient times not just as food but as cure or prevention of many diseases in Ayurveda. The small rounded leaves that are packed with an incredible amount of nutrition: protein, iron, calcium, vitamins, A,C , potassium,  essential amino acids.

The drumsticks of the Moringa oleifera tree are used in cooking and contain vitamins, fibre and minerals. Here is a simple recipe with lentils that is commonly made in most South Indian homes: Drumstick Sambar.

Ingredients for Drumstick Sambar: Serves 4-6

  • Drumstick -3-4 (Cut drumstick into 2 or 3 inch pieces, remove the hard green outer skin)
  • Tur dal -1/3 cup
  • Onion: 1 medium (thinly sliced)
  • Tomato: 1 no.
  • Tamarind paste- 1/2 tsp (or small gooseberry sized ball)
  • Sambar Powder: 2 tsp
  • Turmeric powder – 1/4 tsp
  • Cilantro/coriander leaves: 2 tbsp chopped (for garnish)
  • Oil: 1 tsp
  • Salt: to taste

For the seasoning :

  • Oil -2 tsp
  • Mustard seeds -1 tsp
  • Fenugreek seeds -1/2 tsp
  • Asafoetida/hing – 1/4 tsp
  • Curry leaves – 10-12nos. ( I love using lots of curry leaves 🙂

Method:

  1. Pressure cook dal (use 1 1/2 cup water) along with the turmeric powder, and the whole tomato for 3 whistles. Once the pressure subsides, remove the whole tomato and keep aside. Mash the dal well (you can use an egg beater) and keep it aside.
  2. If using tamarind ball, soak it in 1 cup of hot water, extract the juice and discard the pulp.
  3. Heat oil, add the sliced onions and saute till they become slightly translucent.Then add drumstick pieces and saute for 2 seconds.
  4. Add sambar powder, salt needed, turmeric powder and saute for 2-3 seconds. Add water (around 3/4 cup) and cook the drumstick.
  5. Once the drumsticks are half cooked,add cooked and mashed dal, 1/2 cup of water and simmer for 5-6 minutes(add more water if the sambar is too thick).Switch off.
  6. Heat a little oil in a small tadka pan, add the mustard seeds, when mustard splutters, add fenugreek seeds, hing and curry leaves. Add the tempering to the cooked sambar, mix and cover and let it sit for 5 minutes.
  7. Garnish with coriander leaves and serve with rice.

 


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Alasande Kalu (Lobia) Gasi (Black Eyed Beans in a thick coconut gravy)

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Black Eyed Peas are high in Vit A, fibre, potassium and folate and is known to help in relieving constipation, keeping sugar levels in check and in lowering cholesterol levels.

This is a Mangalorean recipe and is served with rice. It can be made with Indian yam /potato or even with Mangalore sautekai (mangalore cucumber).

Ingredients for Alasande kalu gasi :

  • Black Eyed Beans (Alasande kalu) – 1/2 cup (Soak overnight)
  • Tomato – 1 large (chopped)
  • Grated Coconut – 1/2 cup fresh/desicated
  • Red chilli powder: 1 tbsp
  • Coriander powder: 1 tbsp
  • Potato: 2 small cubed or Indian Yam(Suran/Suvarnagadde): 1/2 small, cubed (OPTIONAL)
  • Cumin/jeera powder: 1/4 tsp
  • Salt: to taste
  • Coriander/ cilantro leaves: 3 tbsps chopped (for garnish)
  • For Seasoning:
  • Mustard Seeds – 1 tsp
  • Urad dal: 1 tsp
  • Channa dal:1/2 tsp
  • Dry Red Chilli: 1
  • Hing/asafoetida: a pinch
  • Curry Leaves : 10
  • Garlic: 4 cloves (crushed)
  • Oil – 3 tsps

Method:

  • Pressure cook the black eyed beans ( the beans must be tender, but still firm and hold shape).
  • Meanwhile grind the coconut, red chili powder, coriander powder and jeera powder with a little water till you get a fine paste.
  • Heat a kadai, add a tsp of oil, add the potatoes/yam (optional) and fry for 2-3 minutes.add the tomatoes and saute. Add some water and close and cook the potato/yam and tomato .
  • Add cooked black-eyed beans and salt.
  • Add the ground paste to the cooking beans. Adjust the consistency of the gravy by adding water.
  • For seasoning, heat oil in a pan, add mustard seeds,urad and channa dal. When the mustard starts to pop, add the dry red chillies,  curry leaves, hing and crushed garlic.
  • Fry for a minute, then add this to the gravy. Mix and close the gravy and let it sit to infuse the flavours of the seasoning.
  • Garnish with chopped coriander leaves and serve with rice or even phulkas.

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Easy Microwave Doodh Peda (Condensed Milk Peda)

Category:Indian Dietitian Online,Online Dietician India Tags : 

This is a quick peda recipe and takes just 3-5 minutes. A tasty recipe for when you are in a hurry and still want to make a dessert or mithai. I make this for Diwali. Sweets are fine if you don’t eat it on a daily basis and also know when to stop. Festivals, birthdays and special occasions definitely deserve a sweet treat.

Ingredients for Microwave Doodh peda:

  • Instant Dry Milk (Milk Powder) – 2 cups (150gm)
  • Sweetened Condensed Milk – 1 can (aprrox 396gm)
  • Unsalted Butter – 110g (1 stick)

Method:

  1. In a microwave safe dish, melt the butter, then add in the milk powder and condensed milk and mix well.
  2. Cook in the microwave for a total of  3 minutes, mixing well after every minute.
  3. After 3 minutes, mix well again and leave aside for it to cool down.
  4. After it has cooled down enough for you to handle(say 5-10 mins), grease your hands and make balls (You can also take the entire mixture and flatten it on a greased sheet with a rolling pin and use different shapes (cookie cutters) to have cute shapes).
  5. Gently press the balls and flatten them a little and place a raisin or a sliver or pista/badam.

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Sabut Masoor ki dal (Whole Pink Lentil Soup)

Category:Indian Dietitian Online,Online Dietician India Tags : 

In a move to popularize the use and intake, 2016 was declared by the United Nations as the ‘Year of the Pulses’. The aim of this was “to heighten public awareness of the nutritional benefits of pulses as part of sustainable food production aimed towards food security and nutrition”.

Dals, pulses/legumes are a staple in the Indian diet for years, but it has not a popular food item internationally. According to the Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO): “In a balanced and diverse diet, the nutritious seeds can be consumed every day alongside fruit, vegetables, herbs, cereals and other fresh foods. Pulses provide an affordable alternative to animal protein. Additionally, they are rich in dietary fibre, vitamin B complex, and minerals, such as calcium, zinc, and iron.Food and nutrition education can promote the consumption of pulses.Food and nutrition education programs are crucial for teaching adequate pulse consumption in order to maximize the absorption of nutrients: For example, matching pulses with cereals to obtain a complete protein, consuming them with vitamin C (e.g. ascorbic acid) in order to increase iron absorption and avoiding to eat them with tea or coffee which, in contrast, would limit it “. Researchers have shown that eating whole pulses and lentils can lower cholesterol levels.

Ingredients for Sabut Masoor ki dal:

  • Whole pink lentil (sabut masoor): 1 cup (washed and soaked for an hour)
  • Onion: 2 medium (diced)
  • Tomatoes: 3 nos.
  • Ginger: 1 ‘ piece
  • Garlic: 3-4 nos.
  • Green chili: 1-2 (as per your heat tolerance)
  • Coriander/cilantro leaves: 3-4 tbsp chopped
  • Garam masala: 1 tsp
  • Chole Masala: 3 tsp (or as per your taste)
  • Oil: 2tsp
  • Jeera/cumin seeds: 2 tsp
  • Bay leaf: 1no.
  • turmeric: 1tsp
  • Hing/asafoetida: a pinch
  • Salt: to taste

Method:

  1. Heat the oil in a pressure cooker, when it is hot add the jeera/cumin seeds, bay leaf, turmeric powder and hing.
  2. Add the onions and fry till they start turning brown. In the meanwhile, puree the tomatoes with the ginger,garlic and green chilies.
  3. When the onions start to brown, add the puree, the garam masala, chole masala, salt and stir till the oil leaves the sides.
  4. Drain the soaked sabut masoor and add them to the masala. Mix well, then add two cups of water.
  5. Close the lid of the pressure cooker and let it cook for one whistle. Switch off.
  6. Let the pressure drop, then open the lid, check for spices, salt. If it’s too thick you can add a little water and simmer for a few minutes.
  7. Garnish with chopped coriander and serve with rice or rotis.

To make a soup– Follow the same method but add a cup of seasonal mixed vegetables (green beans, carrots, cauliflower, etc) and chopped spinach when you add the sabut masoor/pink lentils (Step 4). Then close and pressure cook for one whistle. When you open the cooker, add water to make it into a soup consistency  and let it simmer. Garnish with freshly chopped coriander leave  and add a dash of lime. Serve hot. Makes a very filling soup.


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Lima Beans curry (Double beans masala)

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Lima Beans/ double beans (or butter beans) are rich in folate, thiamin as well as vitamin B6. It is also a good source of fibre, iron, manganese, potassium and magnesium.

This is a recipe using the same recipe that you would normally use for making chole (chickpeas in a tomato gravy) or rajma. You could also add cooked double beans to different sabzi’s to add a different flavour to the sabzi while also increasing the protein content of the dish. I don’t precook the double/lima beans but cook it with the gravy.

Ingredients for Lima Beans Curry:

  • Lima/Double beans: 1 cup (if using dried, then soak overnight)
  • Onion: 2 medium (diced)
  • Tomatoes: 3 nos.
  • Ginger: 1 ‘ piece
  • Garlic: 3-4 nos.
  • Green chili: 1-2 (as per your heat tolerance)
  • Coriander/cilantro leaves: 3-4 tbsp chopped
  • Garam masala: 1 tsp
  • Chole Masala: 3 tsp (or as per your taste)
  • Oil: 2tsp
  • Jeera/cumin seeds: 2 tsp
  • Bay leaf: 1no.
  • turmeric: 1tsp
  • Hing/asafoetida: a pinch
  • Salt: to taste

Method:

  1. Heat the oil in a pressure cooker, when it is hot add the jeera/cumin seeds, bay leaf, turmeric powder and hing.
  2. Add the onions and fry till they start turning brown. In the meanwhile, puree the tomatoes with the ginger,garlic and green chilies.
  3. When the onions start to brown, add the puree, the garam masala, chole masala, salt and stir till the oil leaves the sides.
  4. Drain the soaked lima/ double beans and add them to the masala. Mix well, then add two cups of water.
  5. Close the lid of the pressure cooker and let it cook for one whistle. Switch off.
  6. Let the pressure drop, then open the lid, check for spices, salt. If it’s too thick you can add a little water and simmer for a few minutes.
  7. Garnish with chopped coriander and serve with rice or rotis.