Starting your day with a nutritious breakfast is essential for maintaining energy levels and promoting overall well-being. Indian cuisine offers a plethora of healthy options that are both delicious and packed with essential nutrients. In this blog, we will explore five nutritious Indian breakfast recipes that will kick-start your day on a nourishing note.
1) Vegetable Upma
Nutritious Value: Upma is a popular South Indian dish made with semolina (rava) and loaded with vegetables, making it a fiber-rich and low-fat breakfast option.
Recipe
Ingredients:
1 cup semolina (rava)
1 tablespoon oil
1 teaspoon mustard seeds
1 teaspoon urad dal (split black gram)
1 teaspoon chana dal (split Bengal gram)
1 small onion, finely chopped
1 green chili, finely chopped
1 carrot, finely chopped
1/2 cup green peas
Salt to taste
Coriander leaves for garnish
Instructions:
Heat oil in a pan and add mustard seeds, urad dal, and chana dal. Sauté until the dal turns golden brown.
Add chopped onion and green chili. Cook until the onion turns translucent.
Add vegetables and sauté for a few minutes until they are slightly tender.
In a separate pan, dry roast the semolina until it turns slightly golden and fragrant.
Add the roasted semolina to the pan with vegetables. Mix well.
Add water and salt, and cook on medium heat until the upma thickens.
Garnish with fresh coriander leaves and serve hot.
2)Moong Dal Cheela
Nutritious Value: Moong dal cheela, made from protein-rich lentils, is a nutritious and gluten-free option that provides essential amino acids and fiber.
Recipe
Ingredients:
1 cup moong dal (split green gram)
1 small onion, finely chopped
1 small tomato, finely chopped
1 green chili, finely chopped
1/4 teaspoon turmeric powder
Salt to taste
Oil for cooking
Instructions:
Soak the moong dal in water for 2-3 hours. Drain the water and grind the dal to a smooth batter.
Add chopped onions, tomatoes, green chili, turmeric powder, and salt to the batter. Mix well.
Heat a non-stick pan and brush it with a little oil.
Pour a ladleful of the batter onto the pan and spread it in a circular motion to form a thin pancake.
Cook on medium heat until the cheela turns golden brown on both sides.
Serve hot with mint chutney or yogurt.
3)Poha
Nutritious Value: Poha, or flattened rice, is a light and easily digestible breakfast option that is rich in carbohydrates and essential vitamins.
Recipe
Ingredients:
1 cup poha (flattened rice)
1 small onion, finely chopped
1 small tomato, finely chopped
1 green chili, finely chopped
1/4 teaspoon turmeric powder
1/2 teaspoon mustard seeds
A pinch of asafoetida (hing)
Curry leaves
Salt to taste
Fresh coriander leaves for garnish
Instructions:
Rinse the poha in water and drain. Keep it aside.
Heat oil in a pan and add mustard seeds. Let them splutter.
Add asafoetida, curry leaves,
chopped onions, and green chili, and sauté until the onions turn translucent.
Add turmeric powder and mix well.
Add the rinsed poha to the pan and gently toss it with the other ingredients.
Cook for a few minutes until the poha is heated through.
Garnish with fresh coriander leaves and serve hot.
4)Masala Oats
Nutritious Value: Masala oats provide a healthy dose of fiber, complex carbohydrates, and protein. It is a low-calorie option that aids in weight management and keeps you feeling full for longer.
Recipe
Ingredients:
1 cup oats
1 small onion, finely chopped
1 small tomato, finely chopped
1 green chili, finely chopped
1/2 teaspoon ginger-garlic paste
1/4 teaspoon turmeric powder
1/2 teaspoon garam masala
Salt to taste
Fresh coriander leaves for garnish
Instructions:
Heat oil in a pan and add chopped onions. Sauté until they turn golden brown.
Add ginger-garlic paste and green chili. Cook for a minute.
Add turmeric powder, garam masala, and salt. Mix well.
Add oats and water according to the package instructions. Cook until the oats are soft and well-cooked.
Garnish with fresh coriander leaves and serve hot.
5)Ragi Idli
Nutritious Value: Ragi, or finger millet, is a gluten-free grain rich in calcium, iron, and dietary fiber. Ragi idli is a healthy twist to the traditional idli recipe.
Recipe
Ingredients:
1 cup ragi flour
1/2 cup urad dal (split black gram)
1/2 cup idli rice
Salt to taste
Instructions:
Soak urad dal and idli rice in water separately for 4-6 hours.
Grind urad dal and idli rice separately to a smooth paste.
Mix the urad dal and idli rice batter together in a bowl.
Add ragi flour and salt to the batter. Mix well to form a smooth batter.
Ferment the batter overnight or for 8-10 hours.
Grease the idli plates and pour the batter into the molds.
Steam the idlis for 10-12 minutes or until cooked.
Serve hot with coconut chutney and sambar.
Conclusion: Start your day on a healthy note by incorporating these nutritious Indian breakfast options into your routine. These recipes not only provide essential nutrients but also tantalize your taste buds with their delicious flavors. Enjoy a nourishing and fulfilling breakfast to kick-start a productive day ahead.