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The day after a a longe weekend like the Republic Day 2026 one is reserved for light and nourishing meals which are easy on the gut. After the festivities of the day and the many assorted sweet and savoury treats that tend to pile up when you're on a break, the stomach craves for something that will sustain the body through a long working day, without making one feel heavy and drowsy.
Protein-rich meals which keep the body active and the stomach nourished can be among some excellent options. These are easy-to-make lunch ideas which can be packed into a tiffin box so they can be had at the office or as a quick, on-the-go meal between two meetings.
Paneer Bhurji And Roti
Among a plethora of protein-forward options out there, one comforting meal is paneer bhurji. Crumbled paneer is tossed in a tempering of mustard, curry leaves, red chilli powder, garam masala and turmeric to make the simple bhurji. Onions and tomatoes build more flavour into the dish and some finely chopped green chillies add a hint of spice. Fill up the lunchbox with paneer bhurji and a side of two rotis. Ensure that the amount of bhurji is definitely greater in proportion than the roti, so the protein content of the meal remains on the higher side.
Moong Dal Chilla And Mint Chutney
Fermented moong can be converted into a delicious batter to prepare this protein-packed chilla. The moong dal chilla is light on the stomach, yet filling enough when the fermentation is precise. The batter itself has to be smooth and airy as you lather it on a flat tawa. Prepare fresh mint and coriander chutney and add just a little bit of coconut to it for more flavour. Easy to digest and gluten-free, the moong dal chilla stays soft and comforting in the lunchbox. Add grated carrots or bottle gourd to the chilla and make it even more nourishing.
Chickpea And Cucumber Salad
Cook some chickpeas in the pressure cooker until they soften sufficiently and prepare a protein-rich salad using them as the core ingredient. Add about a tablespoon of crumbled feta to a bowl of chickpeas and some cucumber slices for a creamy touch. Prepare a dressing out of lemon juice, olive oil, pepper, salt and some smoked paprika for the spicy touch. Crushed basil can also be used to build more aroma into the simple salad. Stuff it into a large tiffin box and munch on the light dish during a working lunch.
Rajma And Quinoa Bowl
Prepare a smart lunchtime dish using perfectly cooked, soft rajma or kidney beans and quinoa. A light meal after a day of feasting, the rajma and quinoa pairing crafts a bowl rich in protein and abundant in fibre. Quinoa breaks down slowly, which means it provides sustained energy throughout the day and rajma brings in a lasting freshness. Temper the rajma and quinoa in ghee, cumin, garlic and some green chillies. Add just a little bit of garam masala for a spicy flavour. Pack this mix of beans and quinoa in a round casserole-like lunchbox and have it as a quick lunch squeezed between two engagements.
Curd Rice With Tempered Dal
Take soft, perfectly cooked rice resting at room temperature and mix it with cold curd, milk and some cream. The creamy and comforting curd rice can be accompanied with a side of dal or lentils tempered lightly in mustard, curry leaves, turmeric and hing. Accentuate the curd rice with a tempering of curry leaves, dried red chillies and urad dal too, for building more flavour into the rice and dal pairing. The dal will bring in the protein element while the curd will act as a natural probiotic which smoothens digestion.
