5 Easy Vegetarian Dinner Recipes for Busy Weeknights
Preparing dinner after a long working day does not have to involve complicated recipes or an expensive grocery list. A few everyday ingredients, some basic spices and a little planning can help you put together a satisfying homemade meal. Indian kitchens already have plenty of versatile staples, including rice, lentils, seasonal vegetables, yoghurt and wholemeal flour. Combining these ingredients in different ways can make weekday cooking easier without repeating the same dish every evening. These five vegetarian dinner ideas are practical options for busy households, students and anyone looking for simple meals with familiar flavours.
Wash one cup of rice and set it aside. Heat a little oil or ghee in a pan, then add cumin seeds, a small piece of cinnamon and a bay leaf if available. Add chopped onions, ginger and mixed vegetables such as carrots, peas and beans.
Stir in the rice, salt and water according to the rice variety. Cover and cook until the rice is tender. Serve with plain yoghurt or cucumber raita.
Cook until the grains and lentils are soft. Finish with a small tempering of cumin seeds and ghee, if preferred. Adjust the consistency with hot water.
Stir in the paneer and cook briefly until the mixture is heated through. Avoid prolonged cooking, which can make the paneer dry. Serve with roti and a simple salad.
For a more substantial meal, serve the salad with wholemeal toast or a small portion of rice. Use properly cooked chickpeas, or rinse canned chickpeas before adding them.
Spread a ladleful over a lightly greased hot pan. Cook on both sides until golden and cooked through. Serve with mint chutney or plain yoghurt.
1. Vegetable pulao
Vegetable pulao is a convenient one-pot meal that combines rice, vegetables and aromatic spices.Wash one cup of rice and set it aside. Heat a little oil or ghee in a pan, then add cumin seeds, a small piece of cinnamon and a bay leaf if available. Add chopped onions, ginger and mixed vegetables such as carrots, peas and beans.
Stir in the rice, salt and water according to the rice variety. Cover and cook until the rice is tender. Serve with plain yoghurt or cucumber raita.
2. Moong dal khichdi
Khichdi is a comforting option when you want a soft, simple dinner. Rinse equal quantities of rice and split yellow moong dal. Add them to a pressure cooker with water, turmeric, salt and chopped vegetables if desired.Cook until the grains and lentils are soft. Finish with a small tempering of cumin seeds and ghee, if preferred. Adjust the consistency with hot water.
3. Paneer bhurji with roti
Crumble paneer into a bowl. Heat oil in a pan and sauté chopped onions, tomatoes, green chillies and ginger. Add turmeric, cumin powder, coriander powder and salt.Stir in the paneer and cook briefly until the mixture is heated through. Avoid prolonged cooking, which can make the paneer dry. Serve with roti and a simple salad.
4. Chickpea salad bowl
Combine cooked chickpeas with chopped cucumber, tomatoes, onions and coriander. Add lemon juice, roasted cumin powder, black pepper and salt.For a more substantial meal, serve the salad with wholemeal toast or a small portion of rice. Use properly cooked chickpeas, or rinse canned chickpeas before adding them.
5. Vegetable besan chilla
Whisk gram flour with water, chopped onion, grated carrot, coriander, turmeric and salt to make a pourable batter.Spread a ladleful over a lightly greased hot pan. Cook on both sides until golden and cooked through. Serve with mint chutney or plain yoghurt.
Make weekday cooking easier
Wash and chop suitable vegetables in advance, keep cooked beans refrigerated safely and plan two or three meals around ingredients you already have. Refrigerate leftovers promptly and reheat them thoroughly before serving.Next Story