“A Good Breakfast creates a start for a good day”.
A balanced and healthy breakfast adds much-needed fuel to the body and gets you ready for the day. A healthy & balanced breakfast generates a hormonal response that has a direct impact on the waistline. Research shows that people who skip their breakfast eat more at lunch and dinner, as the ghrelin hormonal levels aren’t stimulated.
A balanced breakfast should contain a healthy portion of protein & fiber. This is the best way to maintain even blood sugar levels and help prevent cravings for mid-morning snacks. A healthy breakfast is essential for the smooth functioning of the body and also helps in weight loss.
India is a land of flavors and offers an extensive array of dishes, especially for breakfast. Indian breakfasts are fulfilling, easy to make, healthy, and most importantly efficient for weight loss. Below is an opinionated list of the healthiest & common breakfast recipes that are made in most Indian households.
Upma
Upma is the most loved, flavorful South Indian breakfast dish made in most Indian households. Made from Rava or cream of wheat; Upma is the healthiest breakfast option. One can either have it plain or with added vegetables, chutney, or idli.
Ingredients: –
- 1 cup Rava
- 1/3 cup finely chopped onions
- 1 tsp chopped green chilies
- 1 tsp finely chopped ginger
- 2 tbsp. coriander leaves
- 8-10 curry leaves
- 10-12 cashew nuts
- 1 tsp chana dal
- 1 tsp urad dal
- Salt to taste
Method: –
- First heat a pan or a kadhai. Add 1 cup of Rava, and keep stirring it; until it becomes fragrant and starts to look dry, separate, and crisp. Don’t make the Rava brown.
- Once the Rava is dry, switch off the flame, put the roasted Rava on a plate, and keep it aside.
- In a pan, heat 2tbsp ghee or oil. Lower the flame and add 1 tsp mustard seeds. After the mustard seeds crackle, add ½ tsp cumin seeds along with 1 tsp chana dal and 1 tsp urad dal. Keep on stirring till the dals become a bit brownish.
- Then add 10-12 cashew nuts, and keep stirring until it becomes golden brown.
- Now add finely chopped onions, and sauté till they soften and become translucent.
- Then add the chopped green chilies, ginger, and curry leaves. Mix well and sauté for a few seconds.
- Add 2.5 cups of water to this mixture. Add salt and mix well. On a medium flame, heat the water and let it come to a boil. Then add Rava slowly with a spoon.
- Keep on stirring continuously so that the roasted Rava gets mixed properly with the water.
- The Rava grains will absorb the water well and get cooked. Cover and allow the Rava up to steam for 2-3 mins on low heat.
- Switch off the flame, and garnish with coriander, sev and serve it alongside chutney or pickle. Or you can also have it plain.
Poha
Poha or Pohe is another quick and healthy breakfast common in all Indian households. Made with flattened/beaten rice, onions, potatoes, peanuts, spices, etc., this nutritious breakfast is easy to make and can be made within 20 mins.
Ingredients: –
- 1.5 cups of Poha
- 1 medium onion finely chopped
- 2-3 green chilies
- 8-10 curry leaves
- 1 medium potato cut into small cubes
- 3-4 tbsp peanuts
- ¾ tsp mustard seeds
- ¾ tsp cumin seeds
- ½ tsp Turmeric powder (can be added more for color)
- Salt as per taste
- Lemon juice (optional)
- 2 tbsp coriander leaves
Method: –
- Take 1.5 cups of medium or thick flakes poha and put them on a strainer. Rinse the poha with approximately 4 – 5 cups of water. Cover and keep it aside so that the poha can be softened.
- Heat oil in a pan or kadhai. Add the peanuts and fry them on low heat till they become golden brown. Remove and keep aside.
- In the same pan, add little oil and put cumin and mustard seeds. After sauteing for 2 mins or till they splutter, add green chilies, curry leaves, and chopped onions. Sauté till the onions become translucent.
- Add the potatoes and sauté them for a minute. Cover the pan with a lid, so that the potatoes soften.
- After the potatoes are cooked, add the salt and turmeric powder. Mix well. Then add the rinsed poha and mix them gently.
- Cook on low heat, till the poha has become hot. Turn off the flame. Add the peanuts, coriander leaves, and lemon juice. Serve hot.
Stay Tuned for the Part 2 of this blog coming up on www.hiddenflavours.in