Staying at home after a busy week is a break for the body, soul, and mind. It is a time that you carry out whatever activity you have picked out for yourself. Weekends are a time for you to relax and give yourself a break that you desperately need after a stressful week. However, you have to feed yourself as well. Skipping meals in the pursuit of a relaxing time won’t do, after all.
It is crucial to prepare healthy meals that are not only sumptuous but will also help you remain healthy. The aim is to find tasty dishes that are easy to make and good for you as well.
10 Healthy Recipes That Are Full of Flavour And Zest
1. Tacos
The Mexican taco might sound like a fancy meal. However, in reality, it is a delicious recipe that you can prepare in a flash. All you need are some hard taco shells that you can either make or source from the supermarket. You can substitute the shells with the roti. For the filling, you can use your imagination to the fullest. Add tomato slices, lettuce leaves, and whatever healthy proteins you like – meat, baked fish, eggs, tofu, etc. Tacos are easy to make yet healthy and delicious. Serve from a casserole, to make it more special!
2. Butter Chicken
Now, butter chicken is a delicious meal, but it does not go with what many people consider ‘healthy.’ However, if prepared healthily, butter chicken can be the most mouthwatering healthy dish you will ever have. You can skip or substitute ingredients that are not crucial to the dish yet are unhealthy. You can make a non-dairy version by using vegan non-dairy alternatives. Pair wheat naan or brown rice or quinoa instead of white polished rice and buttery loaves of bread. Keep the butter chicken warm in a stainless steel casserole, and serve warm.
3. Yoghurt Ice Cream
Swap sugar-filled unhealthy ice creams for yoghurt creams and parfaits. Yoghurt is a much better option in terms of less fat rather than full-fat cream. Simply freeze some yoghurt in a container for a few hours. Add a splash of berries and fruits, and you can help yourself to some delicious ices all you want.
4. Pasta
Pasta is one of the most versatile dishes to have ever existed. Each region and home makes its version of the popular food. For a healthier version, however, you can opt for pasta made of atta (wheat flour) over maida (refined flour).
Moreover, instead of loading upon heavy rich sauces, you can go for a light, fresh pasta salad. A Caprese pasta consists of just tomatoes, mozzarella, and pasta.
5. Chickpea Salad
Feeling too guilty about indulging in sinfully rich recipes? Kick back at home with a bowl of chickpea salad. Chickpeas are good for weight loss diets and help digest and metabolize your food properly. They are high in protein as well. Chop coriander leaves and onion, add them to a bowl of boiled chickpeas. Add a pinch of salt and paprika, and a dash of lime juice.
6. Fruit Salad
Fruit is nature’s candy. If you are craving something sweet, fruit is your most healthy and safe shot at soothing the sweet tooth. A variety of seasonal and exotic fruits will help fill you up with natural sugars and fibre. A nice serving bowl filled to the brim with tasty, luscious fruits also tastes delicious. You can slice the fruits and keep them in a casserole dish to avoid browning.
7. Spicy Lentil Soup
Dieticians and nutritionists around the world consider lentils a superfood chock full of goodness. Lentils help keep your heart healthy by contributing a significant amount of soluble fibre, folate, and magnesium. A cup of prepared lentils provides almost the complete recommended amount of folic acid. Folic acid is vital to protect the walls of the arteries and protects against heart disease. You can serve yourself a steaming bowl of hearty, spicy lentil soup. Add veggies like onions, carrots, beans, peas, to increase the goodness.
8. Millet Dosa
If you put your health at the top of your priority list, then you should know the goodness of millets. Millets are whole grains that are full of vitamins and minerals. Millets offer Vitamin A, Vitamin B, phosphorus, potassium, antioxidants, niacin, calcium, iron, and more. These grains protect your kidneys, are good for diabetics and are free of gluten.
For a filling yet tasty breakfast or dinner, you can prepare millet dosas. Dosas are delicious South Indian pancakes, and millets add that delicious and healthy spin to them. You can serve the pancakes from a hot case.
9. Baked Sweet Potato Fries
The weekend is when you can truly indulge your hankering for junk food, albeit in a healthier way. Instead of greasy fries sopping with unhealthy oil that clogs up your arteries, you can choose sweet potato fries. Sweet potatoes are healthier than their carb-heavy cousins. You can marinate slices of sweet potatoes with olive oil, paprika, and salt, and bake them to perfection. Keep them in an insulated casserole to keep them fresh.
10. Prawn Coconut Curry
Seafood should be a crucial part of a balanced diet if you are a pescatarian or non-vegetarian. There are hordes of fish dishes that are both delicious as well as good for you. If you’re in the mood for something rich and spicy, you can prepare a creamy prawn and coconut curry. Simmer the prawns in a coconut mixture, and serve hot with rice.
In Conclusion
The weekend is the perfect time to experiment with your cooking skills. The name of the game is quick recipes that are full of goodness. You can tweak your favourite dishes to fit them to your specifications.
You can make your food and store it in an insulated casserole for later consumption. When the time comes for you to eat, you can help yourself from a large serving bowl.