Try These Healthy Recipes To Boost Your Immunity During Monsoon
Image Credit: Mercado Juarez Restaurant/facebook

Monsoons in India always have their own narrative to offer. Your taste buds will be whetting their appetite for a cup of scorching hot chai with something delicious, like pakoras, vadas, or samosas makes the weather stunningly lovely. But sadly, those are deep fried snacks and unhealthy. 

Exceptionally delicious vegetarian tacos with quick-pickled onions, refried beans, and creamy avocado salsa! Power packed with healthy veggies, these meatless tacos are sure to please the whole family.

1. Vegetable Tacos


Hearty, Healthy and flavourful veggies wrapped in corny tacos  

Total time - 60 minutes

Servings - 2 

Ingredients:

  • 10 Corn Tortillas
  • Shredded green cabbage
  • Crumbled Cotija or feta cheese
  • Chopped fresh cilantro
  • Lime wedges   

For pickled onions 

  • 1 onion, thinly sliced
  • ½ cup water
  • ¼ cup distilled white vinegar
  • ¼ cup apple cider vinegar 
  • 1 ½ tablespoons maple syrup or honey
  • 1 ½ teaspoons fine sea salt
  • ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes

For Avocado dip 

  • 2 Avocados, halved
  • ½ cup Cilantro
  • ⅓ cup lime juice 
  • 1 jalapeño, seeds and ribs removed, roughly chopped
  • 2 tbsp water
  • ½ tsp fine sea salt

For Beans 

  • 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
  • ½ cup onion, chopped
  • ¼ teaspoon fine sea salt
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • ½ teaspoon chili powder
  • ¼ teaspoon ground cumin
  • 1 cup kidney beans, rinsed and drained
  • ½ cup water
  • 2 tablespoons cilantro
  • 1 tablespoon lime juice

Method:   

  • Simmer together water, both vinegars, maple syrup, salt, and pepper flakes in a saucepan over medium heat. Pour the mixture into the jar over the onions after bringing it to a soft simmer. 
  • To remove any air bubbles in the jar and push the onions firmly into the vinegar. Let it rest to reach room temperature 
  • The avocados' flesh should be scooped into a blender or food processor. Add the salt, water, cilantro, lime juice, and jalapenos.
  • blend well until the sauce is creamy and smooth, pausing occasionally to scrape down the edges.
  • In a saucepan over medium heat, warm the olive oil. 
  • Add salt and onions and sauté for 8 minutes. 
  • Add the garlic, chili powder and cumin. Cook, stirring constantly, until fragrant, for 30 seconds. 
  • Pour in the drained beans and water; stir, cover and cook for 5 minutes.
  • Now, mash them and cook uncovered for 3 minutes.
  • Remove and mix in the cilantro and lime juice
  • Warm the tortillas in a pan over medium heat in batches. 
  • To assemble the tacos, spread refried beans down the center of each tortilla. Top with avocado dip and onions, cheese and cabbage. 

Serve immediately.

Aren't tacos great? Taste and tell!

2. Baked Banana-Stuffed Samosas


Samosas, but Healthy?

An interesting, distinctive, healthier and still delectable variation of one of North India's favourite snacks. This delicious, healthy monsoon snack goes great with a hot cup of tea and consists of samosas with raw bananas mixed with spices, chillies, and other ingredients and baked till golden brown.

Total time - 50 minutes 

Servings - 1 

Ingredients:

  • 100 gms Onion, finely chopped
  • 5 gms Ginger, chopped
  • 5 gms Curry powder
  • 10 gms Coriander, chopped
  • 5 gms Green chilli
  • 200 gms Raw Banana paste
  • 1 tbsp Oil
  • 5 gms Mustard seeds
  • 4 Phyllo sheets
  • Salt, to taste

Method:

  • Heat oil in a saucepan, add mustard seeds and let it crackle.
  • Add garlic, onion, and ginger. Sauté till golden brown.
  • Combine curry powder and  fresh coriander with raw banana paste. Put seasoning in.
  • Cut three pieces out of a phyllo pastry.
  • Place two tablespoons of the mixture on a strip, then fold the strip over to form a triangle. Place every samosa on a baking sheet that is nonstick.
  • Until golden brown, bake for 15 to 20 minutes. Serve warm.

This monsoon enjoy Samosas but only healthy ones!