Tag: Breakfast

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Healthy breakfast options for fresh start

Chef Asif Qureshi shares food tips for Ramadan(IANSLIFE)

Eggs are rich in protein and therefore a perfect go-to option for breakfast. While omelets are a global favourite, go for a sunny-side-up or a full-fried one when cutting vegetables might be a bit much…reports Asian Lite News

We all grew up listening to our elders on how breakfast is the most important meal of the day. Remember the time when we could not even dare to think about leaving for school without having our tummies full?

However, as we grew and got trapped in hectic schedules, breakfast became the last thing on our to-do list. Our priorities somehow changed and the worst part is we do not even have realization of the negative impact this negligence has on our health.

It feels difficult to have a proper breakfast as we are running out of time so much so that many of us end up skipping breakfast altogether. What if we make use of high-energy nutrient-dense foods that are prepared in the blink of an eye (not really, but in two-minutes time)? Read ahead to know quick and healthy breakfast options while on the go shared by Amarnath Halember, the Executive Director and CEO, of NextG Apex India Pvt. Ltd.

Breakfast on the Go?(IANSLIFE)

Cornflakes: Picking a cereal is undoubtedly the best and easy breakfast meal. Pour some crispy cornflakes into a bowl and add warm or cold milk. You might add some honey or consume it as is before the flakes turn soggy. While doing grocery shopping, always remember to choose cholesterol-free cornflakes that are rich in iron and vitamins.

Muesli: Just like cornflakes, all you need to do is pour in muesli and consume it with your go-to dairy: milk (warm or cold) or yogurt. Consider adding a fruit or two and a handful of nuts. If you do not have time to dice fruits, pick muesli that has the goodness of both fruits and nuts. This way, you have two fewer steps to follow amid the rush.

Sunny-side-up: Eggs are rich in protein and therefore a perfect go-to option for breakfast. While omelets are a global favourite, go for a sunny-side-up or a full-fried one when cutting vegetables might be a bit much. Have it as is or better eat it with bread or croissant to ensure no more nibbling junk food before lunch.

Peanut butter and bread: Wondering what is better than butter and white bread, it is peanut butter with multigrain/brown bread. You may also go for a chocolate spread to give a treat to your taste buds. Ready in a jiffy, you get full for a long time translating into lesser cravings to chomp in the day. Have it with your favourite instant tea.

Smoothie with a dash of peanut butter: Add your favourite fruits, half a cup of unsweetened Greek yogurt, one cup of your choice of milk (vegan can go for soy or nut milk), and a tablespoon of peanut butter in a blender and blend until smooth. Consume the beverage immediately. The peanut butter will enhance the taste and nutritional value of the smoothie.

Healthy drinks to replace your morning tea.

Masala oats: Instant masala oats are a saviour for people on the go. All you need is a cup full of masala oats and a cup and a half of water. Let them boil for 2-3 min. Have it while it is still hot and there you are with just the right kind of energy you need to nail the day.

Amid the hustle and bustle of everyday life, never let your health take a backseat. Health, undoubtedly, is wealth and to ensure a healthy lifestyle, consuming a nutrition-packed breakfast every morning is a must. A busy life is all the more reason why we need to have a nutritious breakfast. Following easy recipes is the most feasible option to ensure that skipping breakfast becomes out of the question.

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Breakfast like a king, lunch like a prince, and dine like a pauper

Chole is the second-best accompaniment to puri after aloo puri. In general, chole pairs well with anything. Be it kulcha, parantha, bhature, or roti…reports Asian Lite News

Breakfast is considered the most important meal of the day and our Indian households have taken this way too seriously. As Sunday is just knocking on our doors, so it is time to plan some delicious and yummy breakfast options. So, here’s a list of mouth-watering and tempting dishes to relish on your weekend.

Chole Bhature

One dish that tops that breakfast menu, that is none other than chole bhature. A delicious north Indian delicacy is a combination of hot, puffy bhature with flavorful, spicy chole (chickpeas). When the weekend arrives nothing else satisfies our taste buds, mind, body and soul better than a hot and spicy plate of chole bhature.

Aloo ka Paratha

North Indian people, especially, Punjabis’ lives are incomplete without lip-smacking paranthas loaded with ghee/butter.

Butter, curd and pickle are great combinations with aloo ka parantha.

Other parantha’s like gobi ka parantha, mooli ka parantha, panner ka parantha, pyaaz ka parantha are equally enjoyed.

Puri Chole

Chole is the second-best accompaniment to puri after aloo puri. In general, chole pairs well with anything. Be it kulcha, parantha, bhature, or roti.

Bread pakora

Next up in the list is Bread pakora. The ideal Indian adaptation of our fancy bread is bread pakora. This besan-coated, deep-fried bread with spicy aloo stuffing is best enjoyed with green chutney.

Dosa

A bite of hot crispy dosa filled with potato filling will be enough to satiate the taste buds and your cravings to have something light and less heavy in your breakfast.

A bite of hot crispy dosa filled with potato filling will be enough to satiate the taste buds and your cravings to have something light and less heavy in your breakfast.

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Health balancing amid hustle-bustle of work-life

Breakfast trends to follow in 2023.(photo:IANSLIFE)

With the breakfast market evolving every year as per the Indian taste requirements, let us delve deeper into the trends you can follow in 2023 to balance your health amid all the hustle-bustle of work-life…reports Asian Lite News

‘No one steps out hungry’ is a commonly heard command in Indian homes. Be it a school-going teenager, a college student, or an office-goer, if you leave home without breakfast, it is considered no less than a sin.

“For Indian households, breakfast is the most cardinal of all meals. However, the food preference for breakfast in India has changed profoundly over the past few years. The pandemic era has taught the lessons of healthy life. And, with people becoming health conscious, the breakfast trends have seen a meaningful shift from calorie-rich food intake to low-carb and low-fat cereals.

Celebrity Chef Kunal Kapur Shares Delectable Treats for Summers.(photo:IANSLIFE)

The Indian breakfast cereals market can witness a CAGR of 18.2 per cent in the coming five years,” says Amarnath Halember, Executive Director and CEO, of NextG Apex India Pvt. Ltd

With the breakfast market evolving every year as per the Indian taste requirements, let us delve deeper into the trends you can follow in 2023 to balance your health amid all the hustle-bustle of work-life.

Muesli: Did you know you can jump-start your day in a single bowl? Yes, muesli as your breakfast option can energise you to perform your everyday tasks. It contains fiber and protein, comprised of rolled oats, corn, wheat flakes, grains, seeds, dried fruits, and other varied breakfast ingredients. While serving the purpose of keeping your digestive system healthy, it also aids in managing weight. The best part of having muesli in breakfast is that it allows you to feel fuller for longer, keeping you away from unnecessary munching of unhealthy snacks.

As muesli contains omega-3 fatty acid-rich ingredients such as raisins, almonds, and fruits, it promotes skin glow, lustrous hair, and healthy vision. It also improves heart health as the oat fiber in it reduces cholesterol levels by up to 10 percent. Muesli also can be consumed any time when you feel hungry between meals. It’s better to eat healthy Muesli than deep-fried chips, Namkeen, and other snacks. #kuchbhiseaccha khao muesli.

Cornflakes: It is not a new-age breakfast trend but has been there in India for many decades. However, modern times have changed the way to consume cornflakes. With numerous varieties available in the market, cornflakes have evolved and are still standing tall in the breakfast market. First, they are on-the-go breakfast options, most feasible for the working class. Having it with milk also ensures calcium intake. Being rich in iron, low in sodium and sugar, and low in cholesterol, cornflakes add a healthy breakfast alternative for you. You need to choose the thicker and crunchier cornflakes as #yourBowldeservebetter.

Hot Cereals: The demand for hot cereal products is rapidly growing among Indian consumers as they prefer hot breakfasts over others. And this has led to the immense growth of ready-to-eat hot cereal products in recent times, particularly oats. It has received high acceptance from Indian consumers as it serves their taste palettes and fulfills their nutritional needs. Whole grain oats are becoming the popular choice of Indian consumers.

Spread: There are various options available in spreads like Peanut Butter, Chocolate spread, Hazelnut spreads, and many more. Spreads combined with roti or bread make it an effortless and quick breakfast option. With more people going to gymnasiums and adapting workout regimes, peanut butter has gained preference as a breakfast meal. Peanut butter, being healthy option mothers prefer to serve this daily to their family and kids #mummykanuska.

Celebrity Chef Kunal Kapur Shares Delectable Treats for Summers.(photo:IANSLIFE)

Smoothies: These have gained quite a momentum among the millennials and gen Z generation. Made with fresh fruits and vegetables, superfoods, and yogurt, they are high in nutrients yet fun and delicious. The health quotient of a smoothie depends on the content ingredients.

As the new year embarks upon us, many must have taken resolution for healthy eating. And it can be achieved only when one starts the day with a nutritious intake. So, skipping breakfast is the unhealthiest thing to do. What else you can do is follow these breakfast trends for the rest of the year and witness a healthy change in your lives. and yogurt, they are high in nutrients yet fun and delicious. The health quotient of a smoothie depends on the content ingredients.

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Have a ‘royal ‘breakfast with healthy approach

Prepare eggs as an omelette or half fry, sprinkled with rock salt and black pepper. Serve with spinach leaves, baked baby potatoes and mushrooms. Add more nutrition with cottage cheese, and baked whole wheat bread…Writes N. Lothungbeni Humtsoe

Modern-day dietary challenges are several and can be demanding. Needless to say, you need an innovative approach, especially for the most important meal of the day, i.e., your breakfast.

Protein is an important component of your diet, it keeps you active, helps you maintain a healthy weight and saves you from many health hazards, especially in the later years of your life.

Sadly, the typical Indian breakfast mostly misses this dietary component for carbohydrates. But, worry not, here’s a list of easy to prepare Indian and continental recipes for a protein-rich morning diet, shared by Vijay Thakkar, a fitness entrepreneur and Functional Medicine & Lifestyle Disease Reversal Coach who aims to help people get rid of lifestyle diseases, with a curated reversal plan, with time-tested remedies, physical and mental wellness, and guidance:

Protein Rich Parathas

Quick to make and easily likeable by everyone, hot parathas can make any morning fulfilling. All you need is to use items like jowar bajra, ragi and drumstick leaves with millet flour instead of wheat. Add methi leaves or stuff with paneer, onions, etc. to make it more tasteful. Or if you like to keep it simple just go for ragi Tawa paratha served with curd or yoghurt.

High Protein Dosa

Idli and dosa have been one of the best and most versatile Indian cuisines, especially in the morning. You can prepare your idlis and dosas as per your dietary needs. Use buckwheat or kuttu flour (no fermentation needed), or use oats for your protein-rich healthy morning dosa. Using seasonal veggies for your dosa filling, for example, peas and spinach is a great way of making a protein-rich dosa.

Protein-Rich Bhurjis

When you need something fast, yet uncompromising on nutrition, bhurjis can come to your rescue. Paneer and egg bhurji are easy to prepare and rich in protein, vitamins, iron and zinc. You can make your breakfast even more nutritious by adding vegetables like peas, capsicum and mushroom. Want to make it a little different? Add some grated mozzarella cheese over it.

Continental Protein Treat for the Mornings

Variety is a typical family demand you will encounter quite a lot, especially with breakfast. So, it makes sense to try something out of the borders once in a while. For instance, the continental breakfast with eggs, bread, and a few veggies. The best part is that you have complete control over the spiciness of this simple yet nutritious concoction.

Prepare eggs as an omelette or half fry, sprinkled with rock salt and black pepper. Serve with spinach leaves, baked baby potatoes and mushrooms. Add more nutrition with cottage cheese, and baked whole wheat bread.

If you want to add additional protein-rich supplements, you can also add baked or boiled salmon or chicken pieces.

Light Breakfast with Protein Punch

Chilla or cheela is another popular recipe that is an all-weather protein-rich and weight friendly breakfast. Usually made with besan and served with pudina or tomato chutney, cheela can make your mornings tasty and nutritious at the same time.

You can increase the protein substance of your cheela with peas and cottage cheese (paneer) and serve with garlic pudina or tomato chutney. Garlic is another substance your body loves to use as it helps in combating flu, and cholesterol, and offers antioxidants.

Rich Protein Smoothies & Shakes

If you are a fan of drinks (not alcohol) with your meals, this is one way to include healthy stuff with your breakfast. The best part is that smoothies are rarely difficult to make with the right equipment, i.e., a blender.

Oatmeal, oranges and almond milk is one combination to try. Use honey or dates as per your taste for sweeteners. Another combination you can try is black raspberry and curd with honey as a sweetener.

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Upma: Flavourful instant Indian breakfast recipe

Upma is a dish originating from the Indian subcontinent, Most common in Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Maharashtrian and Sri Lankan Tamil breakfast. It’s normally cooked as a thick porridge from dry-roasted semolina or coarse rice flour. A bowl of upma has fibre, vitamins, and healthy fats. It is low in cholesterol and calories which makes it a healthy meal and helps you have a balanced diet. The key to making a good upma lies in the rava/semolina to water ratio. Using less water results in hard upma, and adding more water gives a soft fluffy texture to upma, which is more widely loved. It’s one of my go-to recipes for my kid’s tiffin even though they refuse to have it, they come back with their tiffin being all clean. Upma isn’t traditionally popular in Kerala but people do like to have it as a snack. lastly, upma is considered being a whole packed healthy meal which is normally eaten as breakfast. So, if you do visit the south, get a taste of the traditional upma!

INGREDIENTS

  1. Semolina -1cup
  2. Ghee-2tbsp
  3. Oil -3tbsp
  4. Mustard seeds – 1tsp
  5. Chana dal (split chick pea lentil)- 1tsp
  6. Urad dal (split black gram)-1tsp
  7. Ginger chopped finely-1tsp
  8. Cashews-1tbsp
  9. Onion- 2(chopped finely)
  10. Tomato (finely chopped)-1
  11. Curry leaves- a little
  12. Carrot (finely chopped)- 2tbsp
  13. Beans (finely chopped)-2tbsp
  14. Fresh green peas-1tbsp
  15. Coriander leaves-a little
  16. Water-3cups
  17. Salt-accordingly

Method

  1. Heat a pan add the ghee and semolina. Start roasting the semolina on medium flame for 5 minutes or until you get a nice aroma. Keep aside
  2. In another pan add the oil on a low medium flame. Add mustard seeds when it splutters add the chana and urad dal and sauté till the dal changes its colour slightly
  3. Add the ginger chopped sauté till the raw smell goes. Add the cashews sauté for a minute.
  4. Add the onions and curry leaves sauté till the onion turns transparent. Add the tomatoes and sauté till it’s soft.
  5. Add the green chillies, carrot, beans, fresh green peas. Sauté the vegetables till its tender for about 5minutes.
  6. Pour 3cups of water in the vegetable mix add salt. The water should be slightly salty.
  7. Bring the water to boil on medium flame. When the water boils lower the flame. Now pour the roasted semolina in a very slow stream with one hand and constantly stirring with a whisk with the other hand. So that there are no lumps and will be evenly cooked.
  8. Add the coriander leaves stir it nicely close and cook the upma for 3 to 4 minutes in low medium flame.
  9. Switch off the flame and keep it covered for 5minutes.
  10. You can serve this delicious upma breakfast with tomato chutney or pickle.

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Just try this amazingly delicious South Indian breakfast meal

Let say you go to a South Indian Restaurant, what’s the first thing you notice in the menu for breakfast, Obviously Idli. It is mainly served along with different types of chutneys and sambar. Today I am going to share my simple breakfast recipe with you all.

Idli is loaded with vitamins and is easy to digest. There are many ways of preparing Idli. Idli is a traditional fermented rice cake, it is prepared by soaking Idli rice and Urad dal for 10 – 12 hours and then grinding it into fine paste and is kept for fermentation. Now let’s get into the recipe.

Ingredients:

  • Idli rice or ponni rice (3 cups)
  • Urad dal (1 cup)
  • Beaten rice or poha (3/4 cup)
  • Fenugreek seeds (1 tsp)

METHOD:

Rinse and soak the rice along with Fenugreek seeds and keep it aside, do the same with the Urad Dal. You’ll have to soak the rice and the Urad Dal at least for 6 hours before grinding.

Also rinse well and soak some Poha for half an hour before grinding.

In a mixer grinder grind the rice in two batches along with the Fenugreek seeds to a fine paste by adding water in intervals. Next transfer this ground rice into a big vessel.

Do the same with the soaked urad dal. In the same grinder add Urad dal and grind it to fine paste by adding water in intervals, now transfer the ground paste to the same vessel along with the ground paste of rice.

Lastly grind the soaked poha with very little water to a fine paste and add this to the batter. Mix everything nicely either with your hand or a ladle. Close and keep it for fermentation for about 10 to 12 hours or overnight.

After the prescribed time, the batter will rise up. Incase the batter turns out to be thick do add some water to get the right consistency. Add salt to the idli batter and mix well (Use the batter as needed and the rest can be stored in the refrigerator).

Now heat water in the idli pot. Grease the idli mould with some oil. Pour the batter carefully in each mould. Steam it for about 10 minutes on low medium flame until it’s completely done.

After 10 minutes switch off the flame and let the mould cool down for a bit. Scoop out the idlis with a spoon.

CORIANDER CHUTNEY

Ingredients:

  • Coriander-1/2 cup
  • Roasted dal-3/4 cup
  • Coconut –1/2 cup
  • Green chillies- 4 to 5
  • Tamarind –a tiny ball
  • Salt-as per the taste

For tempering

  • Mustard seed-1tspn
  • Dry red chillies-2
  • Curry leaves-handful
  • Oil-2tspn

Method

Grind all the ingredients mentioned above to a smooth paste with ¾ cup of water. Transfer this chutney to a bowl.

For tempering, heat a pan on low to medium flame, add oil. Once the oil is hot add mustard seeds, dry red chillies along with curry leaves. Leave this on the stove for about 5 seconds for it to splutter & then pour this over the bowl of the chutney.

TOMATO CHUTNEY

Ingredients

  • Onion-1 finely chopped
  • Tomato-3 big finely chopped
  • Garlic-2 pods
  • Dry red chilles – 4
  • Asoefitida-1/4th spoon
  • Oil-2tspn

FOR TEMPERING

  • Oil – 2 tspn
  • Mustard seeds -1 tspn
  • Curry leaves – handful

METHOD

Heat pan on medium flame. Add garlic. When it turns light golden add chopped onions. Sauté it for a while until it turns into a beautiful pink shade. Now add dry red chillies, sauté them for a minute and then add tomatoes and asafoetida. Cook the tomatoes till it’s soft and mushy and finally add salt accordingly. Switch of the flame, let the mixture cool down. Once the mixture is cool grind it into a fine paste. And now you can transfer it to a bowl.

For tempering heat a pan on low medium flame. Add oil. When the pan is slightly hot, add mustard seeds and curry leaves to splutter. Switch of the flame and pour this to the bowl of ground chutney.

And voila! there you have it, your fluffy idlis with spicy and tangy chutney.

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