#360fit: Five vegetarian Indian recipes for weight loss

Mushrooms are low in fat and high in protein making them ideal for weight loss and a great source of protein for vegetarians. This recipe, apart from being mouth-watering, is easy to prepare.

Ingredients

• 1 large onion
• 1 large tomato
• 1 tbsp coriander seeds
• 1 tsp ginger paste
• 2 red chillies – seeded or de-seeded (depending on how much spice you want)
• 1½ cup sliced mushrooms
• ½ cup green peppers, sliced
• ½ tsp kasuri methi (dried fenugreek leaves)
• ½ tsp garam masala
• Pinch of turmeric
• 1 tbsp corriander seeds
• Healthy cooking oil (as required)

Instructions

• Dry roast coriander and red chillies until crisp then blend them into a powder
• Heat oil in a pan on medium-high heat
• Add the blended powder into the pan, and fry it till you get a good aroma
• Add the ginger paste and continue frying
• Add tomatoes, salt, and turmeric. Keep frying till the food becomes soft and mushy
• Add the mushrooms, Kasuri methi, and garam masala. Stir for 2 to 3 minutes and until tastes have combined

2. Microwave Bhindi Masala

Bhindi Masala.

Standing in the kitchen for hours isn’t fun (for some). But great food doesn’t mean you should make cooking your day job – this recipe needs just 30 minutes of your time and the results are a mouth watering weight loss classic.

Ingredients

• 250g ladies finger (bhindi)
• ½ cup chopped tomatoes
• 1 tsp ginger paste
• 1 tsp garlic paste
• 1 tsp dried fenugreek leaves (Kasuri methi)
• 1 tsp garam masala
• 2 tsp coriander seeds
• 2 whole dry Kashmiri red chillies (or alternative)
• 2 green chillies, finely chopped
• 2 tbsp healthy cooking oil
• salt, to taste

Instructions

• Grind coriander seeds and red chillies into a powder
• Pour oil in a bowl and put it in a microwave for 10 seconds
• Add the ginger-garlic paste and green chilies into the bowl and microwave for 4-6 minutes
• Add ladies finger and mix well. Leave the mixture in the microwave for another 7 minutes
• Add tomatoes, Kasuri methi, garam masala, and salt then mix well. Microwave for 5 minutes

3. Chana Masala

Chana Masala.

Here is another recipe that doesn’t need much of your time. Just 15 minutes for preparation and another 15 minutes for cooking. And it’s DELICIOUS!!

Ingredients

• ½ tsp turmeric powder
• 1 onion, finely chopped
• 1 tomato, chopped
• 1 piece fresh ginger, peeled and finely chopped
• 4 cloves garlic, chopped
• 3 tbsp olive oil
• 2 bay leaves
• 1 tsp chilli powder
• 1 tsp fresh cilantro leaves
• 1 can chickpeas
• 1 tsp garam masala
• 1 tsp coriander powder
• Water, as needed
• Salt, to taste

Instructions

• Grind or blend onion, tomato, ginger, and garlic into a paste
• Add olive oil into a skillet and fry bay leaves in it for 30 seconds
• Add the ground paste into the skillet and cook for 2-3 minutes
• Season with coriander powder, garam masala, and turmeric. Add salt and stir for 2-3 minutes
• Add water and let it boil after which you should add chickpeas.
• Reduce heat and let the food cook for 5 minutes
• Garnish with cilantro leaves.

4. Moong Dal

This is another tasty vegetarian recipe suitable for losing weight. It only has 127 calories per serving. The downside, however, is that it will keep you in the kitchen for one and a half hours. But the results are worth every minute.

Ingredients

• 1/4 cup of chopped fresh cilantro leaves
• ½ tsp grated fresh ginger
• ½ cup diced tomatoes
• ½ tsp ground turmeric
• ½ tsp dried red chilli pepper flakes
• 1 tsp cumin seeds
• 1 pinch Asafoetida powder
• 1½ tsps salt
• Chopped Jalapeno peppers (to taste)
• 2 cloves garlic, finely chopped
• 2 tsp healthy cooking oil
• 2½ cups dried yellow split peas
• 2½ cups water
• 3 tsp lemon juice

Instructions

• Rinse split peas and put them in a pan filled with water for 30 minutes
• Add salt to the split peas and heat them till the water boils
• Reduce heat to medium and let the water keep boiling for 15-20 minutes
• Stir in ginger, jalapeno peppers, tomato, lemon juice, and turmeric
• Heat oil in a pan then add cumin seed and red chilli pepper flakes
• Add asafoetida powder and garlic into the pan, fry it a little
• Pour the contents of the pan into the split peas and combine
• Add cilantro

5. Indian Eggplant Bhurtha

This recipe is popular in India, making it a great authentic vegetarian dish. Not only is it easy to follow, but it’s also healthy with only 119 calories per serving.

Indian Eggplant Bhurtha.

Ingredients

• 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro
• 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper
• ½ tsp ground turmeric
• ½ tsp ground cumin
• ½ tsp ground coriander
• ½ tsp cumin seeds
• 1 large eggplant
• 1 medium onion, sliced
• 1 tsp chopped fresh ginger
• 1 large tomato – peeled and diced
• 1 clove garlic, minced
• 2 tbsp healthy cooking oil
• Ground black pepper, to taste
• Salt, to taste

Instructions

• Preheat the oven’s broiler
• Coat the outside of the eggplant in oil and put it in the broiler for 30 minutes
• Cut the eggplant in half, from top to bottom, and remove the skin
• Heat oil in a large skillet and fry the cumin seeds till they turn golden brown
• Add onion, ginger, and garlic, stir until it becomes tender
• Stir in tomato, turmeric, ground cumin, ground coriander, cayenne pepper, salt, and black pepper
• Place the eggplants in the skillet and cook for 10-15 minutes
• Garnish with fresh cilantro
• This ingredients can also be mashed together to create a wonderful tasting mix

*If you do not have a broiler, roasting the eggplant until soft works well*

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