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Health is very important. And the important
thing is that by correcting the food one eats, more than half of
the health problems one suffers from begin to disappear.
Not only that, but eating rights boosts the immune system,
keeps one fit and trim and the most important outcome of all of
this is that it affects the mental and emotional state of the
individual. |
Like they say a healthy body is a healthy mind, and
vice versa. However, one does need to make certain efforts in order to
ensure that one is leading a life of vitality and strength. This largely
means following a low calorie diet plan.
There is a misconception amongst many that low calorie means food that
is not tasty. However, as mentioned, it is a misconception. Low calorie
meals can be delicious, because its all about using the appropriate
ingredients maintaining the same spices and herbs. Its about introducing
low-calorie ingredients and doing away with the fried foodstuffs and
replacing that with roasting and baking.
Here are some recipes that could cook up some delicious low calorie
meals…
Pumpkin Vegetable Curry recipe
· 250 grams diced pumpkin
· 1 diced carrot
· 1 boiled potato
· ½ chopped capsicum
· Peas
· Chopped French beans
· 2 tablespoons ginger-garlic-green chili paste
· 2 tablespoon low-cholesterol cooking oil
· 2 cups water
· ½ teaspoon red chili powder
· Salt to taste
· 1 teaspoon coriander powder
· ½ teaspoon turmeric powder
· ½ teaspoon garam masala
· ½ teaspoon mango powder
· ½ teaspoon fenugreek seeds
· A pinch of hing
· 1 teaspoon sugar
Take a large cooking vessel and heat the cooking oil in it. Add the
onions and cook till they become golden brown. Add the fenugreek seeds,
hing, ginger-garlic-green chili paste and stir for a few minutes. Then
add the spices and stir. Finally add the vegetables and blend into the
spices. Add the water, stir for a few minutes and let it simmer for
about half an hour. Garnish with finely chopped coriander leaves.
Spinach and Sweet Potato recipe
· 2 bunches of fresh chopped spinach
· 10 small sweet potatoes diced to medium size
· 2 finely chopped onions
· 2 chopped tomatoes
· 2 tablespoons garlic-ginger-chili paste
· 2 tablespoons low-cholesterol cooking oil
· 1 ½ teaspoon red chili powder
· ¼ teaspoon turmeric powder
· 1 teaspoon cumin seeds powder
· Salt to taste
Steam the sweet potato. Grind the spinach and then steam it with a pinch
of salt. Then take a cooking vessel, heat it and pour oil into it. Once
the oil is hot add the oil and cook till golden brown. Then add the
ginger-garlic-chili paste. Stir for a few minutes and then add the
tomatoes. Stir in well till it forms a thick gravy and add the spices.
Stir well and let it cook for about 5 minutes. Then add the sweet potato
and finally the spinach. Cover and let it simmer for about ten minutes,
on low flame.
Black Dal-Kidney Beans Mix recipe
· ½ cup black dal
· ¼ cup kidney beans
· 1 finely chopped onion
· 1 pureed tomato
· Ginger-garlic-chili paste
· Chopped coriander leaves for the garnish
· 2 cups of water
· 1 teaspoon lemon juice
· ½ cup skim milk
· 2 tablespoon low cholesterol cooking oil
· 1 teaspoon red chili powder
· 1 teaspoon coriander powder
· ½ teaspoon garam masala
· Pinch of hing
· Salt to taste
Soak the black dal and kidney beans together and then put into a
pressure cooker and add water. Cook on medium flame for about 25
minutes. Ideally the dal and beans mix should be kept soaked overnight.
Take a cooking vessel and add oil. When heated add the onions and cook
till golden brown. Then add the spice paste and cook. Add the tomato
puree and cook. Add the dal and beans mix and blend into the gravy. Add
the water and lemon juice and let it simmer for 15 minutes. Finally
remove the cooking vessel from the stove and add the milk and mix
thoroughly. Pour into a serving dish and garnish with the coriander
leaves.
Yellow Dal and Spinach recipe
· Finely chopped and steamed spinach
· 1 cup yellow moong dal
· 1 chopped tomato
· ½ cup chana dal
· Ginger-garlic-chili paste
· 1 teaspoon lemon Juice
· Salt to taste
· 1 teaspoon low-cholesterol cooking oil
· 3 to 4 cups water
· 2 teaspoons red chili powder
· ½ teaspoon turmeric powder
· 1 teaspoon coriander powder
· ½ teaspoon cumin seeds
Soak the dals in water, after washing them thoroughly. In a cooking
vessel cook the steamed spinach with the spices and ginger-garlic-chili
paste. Then add the dal with water and boil. Cover the vessel. Let it
cook for 20 minutes. Take a table spoon and add the oil to it along with
the cumin seeds and heat this. Once the dal spinach mix is cooked pour
the oil with cumin seeds over it.
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