It’s a well-known fact that eating healthy is important for maintaining a healthy lifestyle, but with busy work schedules and hectic weekdays, it can be difficult to find the time and energy to cook a healthy meal. Here are some easy-to-prepare healthy meal recipes for busy weekdays that are not only nutritious but also delicious and quick to make.
Veggie Omelette
This easy and quick recipe is perfect for breakfast, lunch, or dinner. Simply whisk 2 eggs in a bowl and add chopped vegetables of your choice such as bell peppers, onions, mushrooms, and spinach. Add salt and pepper to taste and cook in a non-stick pan for 5-7 minutes. Serve hot with a side of whole wheat bread or salad.
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Ingredients:
- 2 Eggs
- Assorted Vegetables (Bell peppers, onions, mushrooms, spinach)
- Salt and Pepper to taste
- Whole Wheat Bread or Salad (optional)
Quinoa Pulao
Quinoa is a great alternative to rice and is rich in protein and other essential nutrients. To make quinoa pulao, heat oil in a pan and add chopped onions, green chilies, and ginger. Add diced vegetables such as carrots, peas, and capsicum and sauté for a few minutes. Add rinsed quinoa and sauté for another minute. Add water and salt, bring to a boil, and simmer for 15-20 minutes. Serve hot with yogurt or raita.
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Ingredients:
- 1 cup Quinoa
- Assorted Vegetables (Carrots, peas, capsicum)
- 1 Onion (chopped)
- 2 Green Chilies (chopped)
- Ginger (grated)
- Water
- Salt to taste
- Yogurt or Raita (optional)
Moong Dal Khichdi
Khichdi is a popular Indian comfort food that is easy to make and healthy too. To make moong dal khichdi, rinse and soak moong dal and rice for 30 minutes. Heat oil in a pressure cooker and add cumin seeds, onions, and ginger-garlic paste. Add chopped vegetables such as carrots and peas and sauté for a few minutes. Add the soaked dal and rice, water, salt, and turmeric powder. Pressure cook for 2-3 whistles and serve hot with pickle or yogurt.
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Ingredients:
- 1 cup Rice
- 1 cup Moong Dal
- Assorted Vegetables (Carrots, peas)
- 1 Onion (chopped)
- Ginger-Garlic Paste
- Water
- Salt and Turmeric Powder to taste
- Pickle or Yogurt (optional)
Grilled Chicken Salad
Grilled chicken salad is a delicious and healthy option for a quick and easy dinner. Marinate chicken breasts with olive oil, lemon juice, salt, and pepper for 30 minutes. Grill the chicken on a pan or grill for 5-7 minutes on each side. Cut the chicken into small pieces and mix with chopped lettuce, tomatoes, cucumber, and onions. Add a dressing of your choice and serve cold.
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Ingredients:
- Chicken Breasts
- Olive Oil
- Lemon Juice
- Salt and Pepper to taste
- Lettuce, Tomatoes, Cucumber, and Onions
- Dressing of your choice
Besan Cheela
Besan cheela is a popular breakfast dish in North India. It is made from gram flour (besan) and is a healthy and protein-rich option for breakfast. The batter is made by mixing besan with water and spices such as cumin powder, turmeric powder, and chopped coriander leaves. The batter is then poured on a heated tawa (griddle) and cooked until both sides are crispy and golden brown. It can be served with chutney, ketchup or yogurt.
Cook time: 10-15 minutes
Ingredients:
- 1 cup gram flour (besan)
- 1/2 cup water
- 1/2 tsp cumin powder
- 1/2 tsp turmeric powder
- Salt to taste
- Chopped coriander leaves (optional)
- Oil for cooking
Upma
Upma is a South Indian breakfast dish that is made from semolina (sooji) and vegetables. It is a quick and easy dish to prepare and is also healthy and nutritious. To make upma, semolina is roasted in oil until it turns golden brown, then it is mixed with water, vegetables like onions, tomatoes, green chilies, and spices like mustard seeds, urad dal, curry leaves, and salt. The mixture is then cooked until the water is absorbed and the upma is fluffy and fully cooked. Upma can be served with chutney, sambar or plain yogurt.
Cook time: 20-25 minutes
Ingredients:
- 1 cup semolina (sooji)
- 1 onion, chopped
- 1 tomato, chopped
- 1-2 green chilies, chopped
- 1 tsp mustard seeds
- 1 tsp urad dal (split black gram)
- Few curry leaves
- Salt to taste
- Water
- 2 tbsp oil
These easy-to-prepare healthy meal recipes are perfect for busy weekdays when you don’t have much time to spend in the kitchen. They are not only healthy but also delicious and easy to make, making them the perfect choice for those looking to maintain a healthy lifestyle without compromising on taste