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On busy weekdays, as you cook lunchboxes, head to work and manage multiple items on your to-do list, the LPG cylinder shortage can be a real worry. That’s because every day cooking has become complicated as waiting lines for cylinders have increased as a result of the global crisis. However, clever cooking on such days can be summer-friendly seasonal meal options that are nourishing and fresh, yet which can be prepared without consuming too much gas. These meals will resonate with the rejuvenating properties that the season’s food intake demands while remaining utterly efficient and quick to prepare even during the busiest weekday routines.
Sprouts And Vegetable Salad
Prepare a protein-rich, chilled meal that requires little to no cooking. Mix soaked or ready-to-eat sprouts available at your green grocer’s with veggies like chopped onions, cucumbers, tomatoes and coriander. Add some crushed lettuce to make the salad greener. Toss this mixture in a dressing made using lemon juice, chaat masala, red chilli powder and just a little bit of pink salt. Refreshing and high in fibre, the dish can be quite filling as a quick dinner alternative. If you possess an electric kettle, make hot water and soak the sprouts in it for some time so they soften a little. Allow them to cool slightly before mixing the salad.
Yoghurt And Fruit Bowl
During summers, when you hanker for meals that are light yet satiating, a filling fruit bowl after a busy day can do just the trick. Whip fresh yoghurt into a creamy, dense mixture and top it with seasonal fruits like mangoes, bananas, apples and berries. A smattering of crushed nuts or granola will bring a textural crunch into the cold dish. Drizzle honey over the yoghurt and fruit bowl to make it slightly sweeter. Rich in protein and naturally sweet, the yoghurt bowl can be quite a fresh, nourishing and chilled treat on a warm summer evening.
Cucumber And Peanut Salad
Requiring minimal prep and no cooking on the gas, this salad constitutes shredded cucumbers and salted peanuts coming together in a crunchy mixture. Add roasted peanuts, grated carrots, green chillies and freshly chopped coriander to build up the salad. Drizzle lime juice, olive oil, salt and pepper over the mixture to infuse a fresh and tangy acidity into it. The salad can also be prepared using raw papaya instead of cucumbers, if available, for that Asian-style spin. Add fresh red chillies instead of green ones if crafting the salad using raw papaya. Crush the peanuts to make them slightly coarse and then add them to the recipe so their nutty flavours become all the more pronounced. Serve the salad cold for the sheer summer vibe.
No-Cook Cold Sandwich
One of the most delicious no-cook meals to prepare on a busy day with minimal prep, a cold sandwich can be fresh and filling all at once. Place cucumber slices on a bread or bagel lathered with cream cheese or butter. Sprinkle pepper on this for a mild spice. The sandwich can be chilled in the fridge until it is time to eat. To include more protein in the salad, add crumbled feta or paneer. Fill the sandwich up with tomatoes, lettuce, ham and sauces like honey mustard or mint mayo to make it more sumptuous.
Dahi Pohe
Filling, wholesome and quite comforting, this is nothing but a simple mixture of curd and flattened rice or pohe seasoned with salt and a pinch of sugar. Adding milk and fresh cream to the softened pohe makes this dish slightly denser. Season lightly with red chilli powder to infuse the dahi pohe with a mild spice. Garnish with freshly chopped coriander. While serving a bowl of chilled dahi pohe, add a spoonful of yoghurt on top to prevent them from drying out. Dahi pohe can be a very refreshing and light meal to gorge on, on a hot summer night.
