For many of us who spend work days typing away or attend to meetings that seem never-ending, we may not have the luxury to spend hours rustling up our favourite dishes. However, that does not necessarily mean that we cannot enjoy lip-smacking fares. We list out 5 dishes for days when time is not on your side. Happy cooking!
1. Cheesy Onion And Chilli Toast
Time: 10 minutes
Serves: 4
Cheese lovers, unite! If you turn to this indulgent ingredient at the end of a long day or maybe even mid-day to lift you up, this one’s for you.
You need:
- 3/4th cup processed cheese, grated
- ½ cup onions, finely chopped
- 1 tbsp red chilli sauce
- 4 bread slices (add or reduce as per your craving)
- 1 tbsp butter
- Salt, to taste
- Melted butter, for glazing
Step 1: In a bowl, combine butter and cheese.
Step 2: Now, add onions, chilli sauce and salt. Mix well together.
Step 3: Arrange bread slices on a clean surface, and apply the toppings evenly across the bread.
Step 4: Take a baking tray, and grease it well with melted butter, place the bread slices, and bake in a pre-heated oven at 200 degree celsius for about five to seven minutes.
Step 5: Once baked, cut the bread slices into triangles and serve immediately.
2. Grilled Veggies Pasta Salad
Time: 10 minutes
Serves: 2
Have veggies at home, but are not motivated to make another round of traditional dal and sabzi? How about using them to make an interesting salad?
You need:
- ¾ cup pasta or macaroni
- 2 cups bell pepper, cut to bite sized pieces (can either go for red or yellow, or even green if that is available)
- 2 cups zucchini, cut to bite sized pieces – don’t peel the skin
- 2 cups tomato, cut to bite sized pieces
- 1 tbsp oil
- ½ tsp salt
For dressing
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 2 tbsp vinegar
- 1 tsp lemon juice
- 1 tsp ginger zest
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 tsp sugar
- 1/8 tsp black pepper
Step 1: Boil pasta with a pinch of salt for eight-ten minutes.
Step 2: Once they are soft, drain the water and keep them aside.
Step 3: As the pasta is boiling, start working on the dressing simultaneously. In a bowl, mix aforementioned dressing ingredients. Combine well and keep aside.
Step 4: Add oil in a wide bottom frying pan, and spread it evenly to coat the base. Add zucchini, bell peppers, and sprinkle salt as per your taste.
Step 5: Stir veggies on a medium flame for four-five minutes. Once they turn a tad bit brown, switch the gas to a low flame.
Step 6: Add tomatoes and cook for a minute, stirring continuously.
Step 7: Time to add the pasta. Make sure it is well-coated with the veggie mix.
Step 8: Once done, remove from gas and transfer the dish into a bowl. Add the dressing and mix well, ensuring vegetables and pasta are coated properly.
Step 9: Let the salad sit for about 15 minutes before serving
3. Besan Ka Cheela
Time: 10 minutes
Serves: 2
A staple Indian breakfast, besan ka cheela can be termed the Indian version of pancakes. They are rich in protein and also keep you full for long hours. A perfect choice if you like a hearty breakfast.
You need:
- 1 cup besan (chickpea flour)
- 1 cup water
- 1 tsp turmeric
- ½ tsp salt
- ½ tsp pepper
- 2 onions, finely chopped
- 2 green chillies, finely chopped (optional)
- 1 tbsp olive oil or ghee, as per your preference
Step 1: Blend besan, turmeric, salt, and pepper and water together. You may adjust the amount of water needed. Ensure the consistency of the paste is rather runny.
Step 2: Transfer this mixture into a bowl, and add onions and chillies.
Step 3: Heat olive oil in a pan, and spread a ladle of the batter.
Pro tip: a non-stick pan would work best when making this dish.
Step 4: Cook on both sides.
Step 5: Once cooked, serve hot.
4. Rajma & Corn Salad
Time: 7 minutes
Serves: 2
This is health in a bowl. Kidney beans are a good mix of protein, carbs and fiber, while corn aids digestion and is rich in phosphorus, vitamin C and magnesium. And with the limited time it takes for you to make this one, could you ask for anything more?
You need:
- 500 g rajma or kidney beans, boiled
- 450 g canned sweet corn, rinsed and drained
- ½ cucumber, finely chopped
- ¾ cup feta cheese (optional)
- ½ cup fresh parsley, finely chopped
- 1 onion, finely chopped
For the dressing:
- 4 tsp lime juice
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp mustard
- 1 tsp cumin
- ½ tsp dried oregano
- 1 tsp honey
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Step 1: For the salad, add all the ingredients in a big bowl, and give it a good mix. Top it off with feta cheese if you like.
Step 2: For the dressing, follow the same process and mix everything together.
Step 3: Combine the salad and dressing and you are done. Yes, it’s that simple!
5. Low-Carb Dal
Time: 10 minutes
Serves: 2
Dal is an important part of an Indian meal. This is the perfect option for the days when you want something soothing for your taste buds.
You need:
- ½ cup red lentil
- 1 tsp cumin seeds
- 2 tsp ghee
- 3 cloves garlic, chopped (paste works too)
- 1 dry red chilli, whole
- Salt to taste
- ½ tsp turmeric powder
- Cilantro for garnish
- 2/3 cup of water
Step 1: Boil the dal in a pressure cooker, with 2/3 cup of water, a pinch of salt and turmeric powder.
Step 2: In a pan, over medium flame, add ghee, followed by the dry red chilli and cumin seeds. Let it sputter for ten seconds.
Step 3: Add chopped garlic, and wait for it to brown.
Step 4: Combine above preparation with the dal and let it come to a boil.
Step 5: Once done, take it off the heat. Garnish with cilantro and a little bit of ghee before serving.