It turned out that the foodie in me has become greedier for more during the lockdown. I so often see images and videos of people experimenting and cooking their favourite foods so often that it churns out the latent chef inside me! Call it lockdown effect, I do believe that with umpteen restrictions on eating out, ordering via food delivery apps, and food availability, we have been forced to think out of the box and make do with ingredients available at home to dish out yummy food. In quarantine, I experimented with some never-tried-before meals which have also been my comfort foods in days of anxiety. After all, food is a big way we feel satiated! Here is my list of 5 quick easy healthy meals that I experimented with during the lockdown.
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5 Quick Easy Healthy Meals
1. Mugcake
Missing your favourite cakes from the neighbourhood bakery? Yes, you can enjoy a mini cake in a mug, baked in your microwave, ready in barely 2 minutes. I tried mug cakes with many of the flours available on my kitchen shelf – whole wheat, oats, semolina and even millet flour. Add a dollop of your favourite fruit to make them juicier and sweeter such as banana, apple, coconut, orange or even grated carrot. Mix up the right proportions of milk and oil, and microwave for 2 – 3 minutes. The cake fluffs up within the mug. Top your mug-cake with your favourite dry fruit – almond, cashew, walnuts or raisins for the extra nuttiness.
2. Pasta
Pastas are easy to prepare and deliver a good dose of much-needed carbohydrates to our already loaded bodies (courtesy of all household chores!) Go for whole wheat or semolina pastas that are healthier options compared to refined flour variants. The good thing about pastas is that you get them in all shapes and sizes that make it a fun food for kids. I have experimented with fusilli, penne and elbow pasta varieties and they all taste different. You can prepare pasta with loads of sliced veggies such as capsicum, carrot and onions to add up nutrients. Whisk a creamy sauce prepared with whole wheat flour and milk, pour generously on the boiled pasta and sautéed veggies and voila you are ready to relish a complete meal. Sprinkle freshly ground pepper and spring onions for the extra crunch. This is my favourite quarantine cooking recipe.
3. Moong dosa
This one is really easy. All you need to do is soak the green moong dal (or even yellow moong, split variety) for anywhere between 6 to 8 hours for fermentation. Grind it well and blend your favourite spices – ginger, green chilly or just rock salt into the batter. A thick batter will prepare a nice crispy dosa on your non-stick Tawa with just a few oil drops. Take care to spread the batter evenly in a circular motion and cook evenly on both sides. Your dosa is ready to be devoured with green coriander chutney or just plain curd.
4. Pancake
I discovered the joy of pancakes when I got bored eating plain oats. I mix up rolled oats with my all-time favourite banana mash, throw in a pinch of cinnamon, a bit of sugar, some grated coconut and mix up all ingredients in milk for a thick consistency. Finally, pour the batter on your non-stick pan and cook evenly on both sides for a nice crusty caramelised pancake. Enjoy with your favourite chocolate sauce or maple syrup for a healthy breakfast.
5. Mango curd
It’s the season of mangoes and how much we missed the king of fruits! Buy your favourite variety of mango (mine is “Badami aam” ) that you relish. Dice it and throw in a couple of spoons of curd and sugar. Puree the combination in a blender for a semi-liquid texture. Season with dry fruits, pistachios usually go well with this combination. Throw in a bit of cinnamon powder or desiccated coconut for flavouring too. Your summer fresh dessert is ready to be gulped!
I believe food is an indispensable link in our mental and physical wellbeing. In a deprivation state, we turn to our “hangry” (hungry + angry) selves and that’s harmful to our health. With little creativity, we can all create our unique quarantine cooking recipes that are low on effort and high on taste.
Write to us in the comment section below, if you have devised your own quick easy healthy meals and comfort foods while experimenting with quarantine cooking at home. Till then, happy eating mindfully!
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