The world is slowly turning to the lifestyle alternative that Indians have been practising for ages: choosing a primarily vegetarian diet. A plant-based diet is great to beat a whole lot of lifestyle diseases, from obesity to Type 2 diabetes and heart disease. Read on for some veggie recipes that are sure to floor even the most committed meat-lovers.
Pommes Gratin
Who says vegetarian has to be boring? Try this cheesy, creamy dish that could become a weekly dinner special, both for its yummy factor as well as for the ease of making it.Serves 2
You’ll need:
- 2 tsp + 2 tsp butter
- 1 cup cream
- 1 tsp thyme
- 2 cloves of garlic, crushed
- Salt, to taste
- Pepper, to taste
- A pinch of nutmeg powder
- 3 potatoes, thinly sliced
- 5 tbsp Cheddar or Gruyere cheese, grated
How to prepare:
- Mix 1 cup cream with 2 tsp butter in a pan.
- Throw in the thyme, garlic, nutmeg, salt, and pepper. Cook on low-medium heat until the cream reduces a bit.
- Now, stir in 3 tbsp cheese and add the potatoes.
- Cook till the cream thickens further and covers the potatoes well.
- Grease a baking dish and add the creamy potatoes. Add the remaining butter and cheese on top.
- Bake at 200°C, until the cheese melts and turns golden brown in color.
- Serve hot.
Samosa Stuffed Peppers
It’s one of those nights that you have a craving for street food but you also know you have to eat healthily. This is one recipe that can satisfy your cravings while helping you stick to your diet plan.Making 8 serves
You’ll need:
- 4 red bell peppers (large)
- 2 tbsp vegetable oil
- 1 large onion, diced
- 4 tsp curry powder
- 1 tbsp garam masala
- 2 tsp ginger, grated
- 1 cup basmati rice
- ¼ cup red lentils
- ½ tsp salt
- 1½ cups chickpeas, cooked
- 2 large carrots, chopped fine
- 1 cup green beans, diced
- ½ cup raisins, optional
- ½ cup peanuts or cashew nuts, chopped
How to prepare:
- Preheat oven to 180°C. Halve the bell peppers and place them in a baking dish, cut side facing down. Cover with a foil and bake for 25 minutes. Check if the peppers have softened.
- Pour oil into a saucepan. Once it heats up, add onion and stir for 5 minutes until it starts to soften.
- Now, add the garam masala, curry powder, and ginger. Cook for a minute, stirring well.
- Add 4 cups of water, salt, rice, and lentils, and mix well.
- Throw in the green beans, carrots, chickpeas, and raisins. Cover the saucepan with a lid, and bring it to a boil.
- Once it boils, lower the heat and simmer until the water evaporates, stirring occasionally.
- Remove from heat and add the peanuts. Check the seasoning and add salt, if needed.
- Fill each half of the bell pepper with the rice mix (about ¾ cup each).
- Cover the baking dishes with foil once again. Bake for 15 minutes more at 180°C. Bake uncovered for 5-10 minutes.