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A day filled with festive snacks, sweets and celebratory meals calls for a dinner that is light and comforting, without being too elaborate. The harvest season brings with it different festivities across the Indian subcontinent that mark the coming of longer days.
In every province, traditional feasts are prepared to celebrate these festivals, all made-up of seasonal vegetables, assorted flatbreads, rice delicacies and sweet treats made using jaggery, sesame and ghee. After munching on these festive foods for the whole day, wind down with a quick, light dinner that smoothens digestion and restores balance.
Moong Dal And Rice
A lentil that is light on the gut and comforting on the palate, moong dal can be cooked in the pressure cooker before tempering it lightly in mustard seeds, crushed garlic, turmeric, cumin and hing. Moong dal is very easy to digest and rich in protein. When mixed into warm, steamed rice, it makes for a healthy meal that is calm yet filling, without becoming heavy or overwhelming. Sprinkle chopped coriander in the dal for more flavour. Serve the dal rice with generous amounts of ghee and any leftover dry chutney from the festive luncheon feast.
Vegetable Clear Soup With Toast
Warm, nourishing and soothing for the throat, a veg clear soup flavoured with salt, black pepper and just a little bit of vinegar can be your go-to as a light meal option after a day of snacking on sweet til-gur. The clear soup can be a mixture of fresh veggie broth, topped off with carrots, broccoli, mushrooms and beans. Hydrating and soothing, particularly after a day of gorging on dense and heavy foods, a bowl of soup will be light and filling both, served with a side of hard, buttered toast.
Steamed Idli And Sambar
Make light, fluffy idlis and serve them warm with a sambar that is mildly flavoured and heavy on veggies like carrots, onions, brinjals, beans and pumpkin. The sambar will be light when it is thin and runny, so minimise the amount of dal which will be added to the spicy broth. Idli and sambar is soft, soothing and comforting for the stomach, perfect for those evenings when you want a meal-like feeling at dinnertime, yet want to opt for an option that is far from being too heavy.
Grilled Paneer And Sautéed Greens
A protein-rich dinner option that is both light and delicious, paneer can be seasoned with salt, pepper, paprika and an olive oil drizzle before grilling it slightly. The char on the paneer will lend it a slightly smoky effect that goes perfectly with the sautéed greens which will accompany the protein. Sprinkle some lime juice on the grilled paneer to build a subtle acidity into the dish. This is the perfect option for those who prefer a low-carb, high-protein and high-fibre dinner after a day of munching on sweet treats.
Vegetable Pulao
Simple and comforting, turn a vegetable pulao into a one-dish meal that can be light on the gut following festive feasting. Add carrots, beans, capsicum and some corn to the rice as it cooks and season it mildly with some garam masala, hing and aromatic whole spices like a single bay leaf and some cloves. The pulao can be savoured with ghee and a side of pickle as a straightforward warm dinner that is easy to digest. Avoid adding too many spices and condiments to the pulao to retain its essence as a mildly spicy, soothing dish.
