Yummy & Healthy Menu Ideas for Meals, Snack and Dessert

Cooking and eating during this Lockdown phase is being driven by convenience – simple food that can be cooked quickly while you’re working from home, food that results in fewer pots & pans to be washed. Food that will be eaten fuss-free by homeschooling kids! Junk food has also crept into our lives more than ever – filling the void created by the absence of other entertainment.

While the lockdown is not an easy phase for most of us, it is crucial to Pause & Think – about our Nutrition Intake – even during this difficult, unprecedented time!

Experts at Curo Wellness have curated 10 recipes that are simple to make, yet will ensure that your nutrition box is ticked off!

1.Pindi Chole

Ingredients: Chickpeas/ Chole/ Kabuli Chana, Ginger, Garlic, Green Chillies, Dry Spices (cinnamon, bay leaf, green & black cardamom, clove, turmeric, salt, red chilli powder, coriander powder, garam masala, pomegranate seeds, amchur powder, cumin powder, kasuri methi)

Quick & Easy Method: Soak & Boil Chickpeas, Heat Oil in a pan and saute all dry spices. Once oil separates by roasting the dry spices, add in Chickpeas and allow it to simmer for sometime on low flame. Best enjoyed with rice or quinoa for a complete meal.

Curo Nutri Quotient: High on Protein, Great for Diabetics (due to low Glycemic Index).

2. Veg Mexican Rice

Ingredients: Rice + Rajma (1:1 ratio), Finely chopped Veggies (Capsicum, Carrots, Beans), Onion, Garlic, Green Chillies, Grated Tomato, Dry Spices & Herbs (Oregano, Salt, Black Pepper/ Chilli Flakes)

Quick & Easy Method: Saute all veggies in little oil (except tomato) for 2-3 mins. Add grated tomato and all dry spices as per taste. Add boiled Rajma and cooked rice to the Veggie-Spice mix, cover for a few mins and ready to serve.

Curo Nutri Quotient: High on Protein, Fibre and Vit C. High on Antioxidants therefore anti-inflammatory, anti- microbial benefits.

3. Protein Wrap

Ingredients: Whole moong (for the wrap), Any available veggies (like onion, capsicum, peas, carrots OR can use any leftover cooked veggie)

Quick & Easy Method: For the Wrap: Soak moong for a few hours and grind into a smooth batter (add salt, onion, ginger, garlic, green chillies and sesame or onion seeds). Make a crepe/ chila. Fill the wrap with any stir fried veggies available or with home made paneer or with leftover cooked veggies. Roast the wrap on the pan for 1-2 mins before serving

Curo Nutri Quotient: High on Protein, Fibre and Micronutrients. One-dish balanced meal to keep energy levels high.

4. Green Pulao

Ingredients: Rice, Spinach & Coriander (Grind together into a puree), Veggies (French beans, Peas, Broccoli, capsicum), Ginger-Garlic-Onion-Green Chillies-Cumin paste, salt and ghee.

Quick & Easy Method: In hot ghee, saute the Ginger-Garlic-Onion Paste. To this, add all veggies and saute. Then add cooked rice and mix well. Add the spinach & coriander puree. Add salt, mix well and serve.

Curo Nutri Quotient: Immune Boosting Antioxidants, High in Fibre, Loaded with Vitamin C & Beta Carotene – both help in fighting infections.

5. Moong Twister Bhel

Ingredients: Steamed Moong Sprouts, Roasted Rice Puffs, Makhana, finely chopped onion, potato. Seasoning: Chaat Masala, Salt, Lime juice, roasted chana daal/ daliya dal, Date Chutney + Spicy Green chutney (optional)

Quick & Easy Method: Mix all ingredients well and serve immediately.

Curo Nutri Quotient: Low fat, High on protein and fibre. Contains minerals like potassium, magnesium. Fibre in Moong helps reduce blood pressure.

6. Sprouted Moong Spinach Crepes

Ingredients: Green Moong (Soaked for 4-5 hours or sprouted), Gram Flour (Besan), Spinach (finely chopped), Ginger & Green Chilli paste, Salt, Curd, Water

Quick & Easy Method: Grind Green Moong and Spinach to form a smooth batter (this batter can be stored for upto a week). Mix in rest of the ingredients. Add water to adjust consistency. Can add tempering (tadka) to the batter. Make crispy crepes / chila with the batter. Serve with Green chutney or Yoghurt.

Curo Nutri Quotient: Great blend of plant based protein & fibre. Has Vitamin C and other immune boosting anti-oxidants.

7. Bean Trio Cutlets

Ingredients: Chickpeas (Kabuli chana), Black Eyed Peas (Chawli), Red Beans (Rajma), Dry Bread Crumbs or Rice Flour, Ginger-Garlic-Chilli Paste, Seasoning (Salt, Chilli Powder, Garam Masala, Amchur Powder or Lemon Juice).

Quick & Easy Method: Soak all legumes overnight, pressure cook and drain all water. Mix the three cooked beans and all the other ingredients to make dough. Make roundels and flatten. Roast on a non-stick pan with minimum oil. Serve with Green chutney or yoghurt.

Curo Nutri Quotient: Excellent plant based Protein, High on Fiber, Vitamins, Minerals and Anti-oxidants; Helps keep an active bowel movement/ prevents constipation.

8. Spicy Chickpea Yoghurt Dip

Ingredients: Chickpeas + Yoghurt (4:1 ratio), Seasoning: (lemon juice, olive oil, garlic, red chilli powder, salt and pepper).

Quick & Easy Method: In a food processor add chickpeas (well-boiled), with Yoghurt and Seasoning. Puree until smooth. Serve with veggie sticks (like carrots and cucumber).

Curo Nutri Quotient: High on Protein. Probiotic rich.Improves immunity and can alleviate digestive problems.

9. Berry Merry Popsicle

Ingredients: Mixed Berries – Strawberry, Blueberry, Raspberry (1:1:1 volume), Orange Juice, Water, Chia Seeds (1 tsp), Castor Sugar (optional)

Quick & Easy Method: Puree all ingredients in a blender. Pour it into Popsicle Moulds. Freeze overnight and enjoy.

Curo Nutri Quotient: Berries & Oranges combine to work as a natural burst of Vitamin C & Antioxidants! Low calorie way of satisfying dessert cravings.

10. Dark Chocolate Banana Pops

Ingredients: Bittersweet Chocolate (70%+ cocoa), Banana (just ripe), Almonds & Walnuts (crushed roughly), Dark chocolate sprinkles

Quick & Easy Method: Boil water in a pan, keep a bowl on top with the chocolate bar, stir occasionally until smooth. Remove the pan from the heat but let the bowl of chocolate continue to be in the hot water pan. Peel bananas, cut them into roundels. Insert a skewer – holding the banana roundel with the skewer and dip it the melted chocolate. Sprinkle crushed nuts & chocolate sprinkles on the chocolate dipped banana. Freeze the coated Banana Pops till the chocolate sets.

Curo Nutri Tip: Omega 3 fatty acids, Anti-oxidants and Minerals. Adds to your overall intake of fibre. Gives an energy kick, Elevates your mood and fights depression. Excellent dessert to satiates sweet cravings for weight watchers & diabetics.

 

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