Breakfast is the most important meal of your day. Not only does it jumpstart your metabolism, but makes your brain and body both work their best! There are many different breakfast choices to choose from in the world of Indian cuisine. However, the only problem is, people don’t have much time to make elaborate breakfasts anymore. Parents have to get their kids ready for school then get themselves ready for work. This is why expediency and healthiness become the name of the game when it comes to a good breakfast. Here is a list of breakfast recipes that you can quickly rustle up in a jiffy, and store them in an insulated casserole on your dining table, so it remains warm and fresh when your family is ready to eat in the morning!
1. Upma
A traditional south Indian dish that is made using rava (sooji/semolina), is one breakfast dish that you can cook really quick. Balanced and nutritious, there are various versions of upma you can make on week days! The best thing about upma is how you can make it with a lot of veggies! It tastes great with sauce, coconut chutney, lemon pickles or sambhar – and you can definitely find something that works best for you. This is one dish that you can prepare in a jiffy. Make sure you store the upma in a casserole to keep it warm until it is time to eat. Upma stores well, so you can pack it in an insulated food jar and have it on the go as well!
2. Dosa
Dosa is one of the most iconic Indian foods out there, especially when it comes to breakfast foods. It can be prepared extremely quickly and for the entire family if you have the batter on hand. Dosas are also very versatile; you can make many versions of it – masala dosa, oothapam, tomato dosa, onion dosa and many more. Everything from chutney, jams, jellies, fresh fruit, etc. work well with a dosa…even Nutella or honey!
3. Idlis
Idlis are another classic and fantastic Indian breakfast food option. Essentially a savory rice cake made by steaming a batter that is made from rice and fermented black lentils, idly is a staple south Indian breakfast option. Idlis are extremely healthy to eat; the fermentation process reduces the batter to its base starches which is perfect your body to metabolize. It also comes in a multitude of different varieties so you can easily find the idli that suits your palette best. Just make the batter on the weekends, and you are all set for a week of healthy breakfast! Pack the idlis in a casserole and you can have warm idly when it is time to eat!
4. Aloo paratha
Aloo paratha is popular across India, for both breakfast and dinner. Aloo paratha doesn’t mean it is made out of potatoes, rather the paratha is stuffed with a spiced stuffing composed primarily of potatoes. If the aloo paratha is not your style, but the paratha itself sounds delicious, you should consider trying one of the many paratha alternatives, such as the paneer paratha, mooli (radish) paratha or the onion paratha. Quick and easy to make, paratha is also healthy, and with a serving of yoghurt, it is most delicious!
5. Appam
Made using fermented rice batter and coconut milk, appam is a more delicious version of dosa. It is most commonly eaten in Kerala, Sri Lanka, and Tamil Nadu where it is a popular breakfast food. Get this batter ready over the weekend, and you can have a delicious breakfast of appam along with kadala(clack chana) curry or coconut milk! Appam tastes wonderful when eaten hot, if you are not able to eat it from the stovetop, make sure you store it in an insulated casserole, one that will keep the appams soft, fresh and warm!
6. Misal pav
It’s hard to go wrong with a good pav recipe. Misal pav is a pretty popular version that is normally eaten for breakfast in Maharashtra. Misal is a curry/masala made of sprouts an when topped with fresh tomatoes, onions, and farsan (a savory fried mixture), and lemon juice, it tastes delicious. Healthy, balanced and zesty, this is one breakfast dish that your kids would love!
7. Tomato Omelette
Simple and quick to make, and healthy, tomato omlette makes for a great breakfast dish for the mornings! Although you can make it with your favorite toppings, this recipe calls for the use of tomatoes. But if tomatoes are not your thing for whatever reason, feel free to replace them with your favorite vegetable. You can make this omlette with mix vegetables too. If you are cooking for your kids, make sure to drizzle butter and grate some cheese over the omlette and you will find your kids asking for another helping!
8. Idiyappam
Idiyappam, also known as nool puttu, is a rather interesting Indian dish that is popular in south India and Sri Lanka. It is a noodle dish that is made from rice flour which is pressed and steamed into the shape of noodles. It isn’t the fastest dish to prepare from hand, considering it requires you to actually create noodles, but once you get the hang of it you will find yourself making it faster. Serve it with a side of chutney or some grated coconut and jaggery and your breakfast is complete.
9. Akki roti
If you have ever been to the Karnataka region of India, then you have most likely already tried akki roti. It is a staple breakfast food of the region. It is a roti made of rice flour! The the dough is filled with a scattering of your favorite vegetables – traditionally sliced carrots, onions, and dill leaves are used, along with a spattering of seeds and spices.
10. Aloo poori
Aloo and poori is one breakfast combo that is loved by both kids and adults alike! Boiled potatoes sautéed in oil along with a mix of garlic, onion and ginger make a great side fro poori! Not just that poori also tastes great with chole, coconut chutney and vegetable khorma! A favorite in Indian households, poori along with aloo is easy to make if you have all the ingredients handy!
11. Spicy chickpea sundal/curry
There are quite a few curries out there that you can try, and basically all of them work as great breakfast foods. This spicy chickpea curry in a casserole is one of the better options though, because it is simple but packs in a punch. It is the perfect dish to kickstart your day; it is not too heavy or too light and is warm and savory. The chickpeas also have a sizable amount of dietary fiber and protein giving you some of the best nutrients to provide your body with the energy you need to be productive.
12. Cheese chili toast
If you are looking for a dish that can be made extremely fast while still meeting the essentials of a good breakfast, then look no further than cheese chili toast. There is absolutely nothing simpler to prepare than toast with cheese; you literally just have to heat up some slices of bread with some extra chilis on top. Your body will definitely appreciate the early morning carb load, and the chilis come with a whole plethora of antioxidants that will keep you healthy throughout the day by bolstering your immune system.
13. Mushroom omelette
Omelettes are some of the best breakfast foods available for good reasons. They are simple to make and naturally pretty healthy, so long as you don’t stuff them with a bunch of unhealthy ingredients. Mushroom omelette ups the protein profile of the already protein rich omelette, while also contributing some dietary fiber. You can spice up this omelette by adding in some parmesan cheese or cottage cheese along with some chilis. The most important thing about this dish though is it is very simple to make and prepare with fresh ingredients.
14. Veg sandwich
You really cannot go wrong with a good old-fashioned veg sandwich when it comes to breakfast foods. Vegetables have lots of vitamins and other essential nutrients that you want to consume come breakfast time. And a sandwich is more or less the perfect way to start your day. It is something that you can prepare quick, fast, and in a hurry, and it is portable so you can take it with you if you’re low on time and need to be out the door fast. The best part about this breakfast favorite though is that you can make it to suit your tastes exactly by choosing your favorite vegetable options.
15. Bread Pakora
Pakora is always a great option when it comes to picking expedient breakfast options. It is basically a type of fried snack or fritter that is eaten as a snack, breakfast or even for dinner. A good breakfast pakora should probably be some combination of vegetables and cheese because it is easy to prepare with a quickness. Eat it with your favorite sauce or chutney on the side and you will have a very fun breakfast in a matter of minutes.
The above-mentioned dishes are only the tip of the iceberg when it comes to breakfast foods. There are an endless amount of variations you could try with these dishes! Get in to the kitchen and start experimenting now!
Remember though, the best breakfast options have two elements in common:
1.They are easy to prepare.
Most people do not have a lot of time to cook breakfast in the morning. There are normally just too many things to take care of in the morning, so you do not want to sacrifice your precious morning time unnecessarily. The longer it takes you to prepare a breakfast, the less time you will have for yourself, and the more stressed you will become. That is the total opposite of what you want when preparing breakfast. Prep the batter, dice the vegetables, and freeze boiled sprouts over the weekend, so you can prepare these dishes in a jiffy! Also, invest in a casserole, so you can make a batch of one of the dishes and serve it warm once your family is at the dining table!
2. Breakfast should be balanced and nutritious.
Breakfast is considered to be the most important meal of the day for a good reason. It gives you all the nutrients your body needs to be able to function properly. This includes having enough energy to get through to lunch time, as well as to keep you healthy. Make sure that your breakfast has vegetables, sprouts, eggs and also decent amount of fat and carbs so it is balanced!
While you plan for healthy breakfast options, you also want to make sure that the dishes are all enjoyable. Remember to experiment as much as possible so that you can find the most delicious, expedient, and healthy breakfast options available.