Summers are fast approaching, and we all need to gear up for the sweltering heat. With temperatures rising the chances of getting dehydrated or getting low on energy increase many folds. This often is due to excessive sweating during summers that tends to deplete the body of its water content and may also cause an electrolyte imbalance in the body.
Besides, summer is also a time when one tends to feel less hungry and heavy greasy or even hot meals almost seem repulsive. During such times you don’t want to drink those sugar-loaded fizzy drinks that provide temporary satisfaction and are the worst thing you can consume, even the ‘so-called’ sugar-free or diet drinks are nothing less than a chemical concoction that creates havoc in the body. The simplest way to fuel up and stay energized during summer is opting for meals and recipes that are light to consume and still pack a punch of nutrition. If the recipes are quick and easy to make, well that is just icing on the cake!
Here are some simple recipes that are perfect for summer. They are refreshing and nutritious and ideal for times when you need to beat the heat and still get the right nutrition.
Cool Sattu Energy Drink
Sattu is a traditionally used ingredient made of powdered Bengal gram, which is known to be packed with proteins, fibre has a low glycaemic index and gives the body the energy boost it requires the most during summers. It is used in various recipes like litti, parathas and much more. Sattu is easily available, quick and easy to make, delicious to drink and even healthy! You’ll never want to touch a fizzy drink after trying this one.
- Prep Time: 5 Minutes
- Serves: 1 person (1 glass)
Ingredients:
- Sattu Powder: 2 tablespoons
- Jaggery powder: 1-2 teaspoons
- Black Salt: 1 pinch
- Lemon: 1 teaspoon
- Mint leaves: 4-5 leaves
- Chilled water: 1 glass
Procedure
Take a glass of chilled water, and add the required quantity of sattu powder. Now let the powder settle in the bottom of the glass. Now add jaggery powder and gently stir the mixture. Take care to ensure all the small clots of sattu are completely dissolved. Now add a pinch of black salt and some lemon juice. Garnish with mint leaves and serve chilled.
Dill Yogurt Dip
Having some friends over for a game? Or even if it is a quick snack or even some family board games time, having a dip with a platter is the most fun way to serve snacks. But during summers you would certainly want to avoid spicy dips that aggravate the already existing heat! This cool and refreshing dip is healthy to eat, quick to make and a perfect dip for that summer get-togethers. The ingredients are all easy to acquire. Serve this delectable dill yoghurt dip with an assortment of crunchy vegetables or pita chips and your impressive snack is ready to devour.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cooking Time: 2 minutes
- Serves: 3-4 people
Ingredients:
- Yoghurt (Plain): 1 bowl
- Cucumber: 1 medium
- Dill leaves: half a cup
- Garlic: 1-2 cloves
- White pepper: ½ teaspoon
- Salt: as per taste
Procedure
In a mixing bowl add your yoghurt and mix gently, alternatively, you can also use hung curd for the same.
Peel the cucumber and finely grate it and add the same to the yoghurt. Take care to squeeze the cucumber lightly before adding it to the yoghurt, or else the water content in the cucumber will make the dip runny. In this mixture add some finely grated garlic. If you do not like the taste of raw garlic you can swap it with garlic powder or skip the step entirely.
Add some white pepper and salt and mix gently. Now add this dip into a serving bowl or a butter board. Serve it cool with some crunchy vegetables or pita chips or any other accompaniment of your choice.
Lebanese Tabbouleh Salad
When in the mood for something fancy that is easy to make, refreshing to the body and delicious to taste, the Lebanese Tabbouleh salad fits the bill. It is an energizing salad that is great to have when looking to shed some weight when you have friends over or a perfect dish to take for your potluck party.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cooking Time: 5 minutes
- Serves: 2 people
Ingredients:
- Olive Oil: ¼ cup
- Dalia (Broken wheat): ½ cup
- Fresh lemon juice: 3 tablespoons
- Parsley: 2 bunches
- Tomatoes (red and firm): 2 medium-sized
- Spring onions: 3-4 sprigs
- Fresh mint leaves: ¼ cup
- Salt: as per taste
- Pepper: As per taste
Procedure:
Finely chop the parsley, spring onions and mint leaves. Also, dice the tomatoes finely. To a mixing bowl add the required quantities of olive oil and lemon juice and mix well to form a smooth emulsion. Now add some salt and pepper to it. Add the dalia and let it soak in the mix for 15-20 minutes or so (You can also use cooked dalia for the recipe).
Add the finely chopped parsley, tomatoes and spring onions and mix well. Garnish with mint leaves and serve fresh.
Mango Bhapa Doi
Summers are synonymous with mangoes! Can any list of summer recipes ever be complete without the indulgent king of fruits? Mangoes are high in calories and are sometimes contraindicated in certain health conditions or when trying to lose weight. However, when looking for an occasional indulgence, mangoes can be best consumed with a healthy twist. Mango bhapa doi is a traditional Bengali dessert that is simply apt to soothe your body during summers and a treat for your taste buds too.
- Prep Time: 10-15minutes
- Cooking Time: 25-30 minutes
- Serves: 4 people
Ingredients:
- Mango pulp: ½ cup
- Yoghurt (Plain or mango flavoured): 1 cup full
- Mango: 1pc
- Condensed milk: 1 tin
- Milk: ½ cup
Procedure:
Take a mixing bowl, add the yoghurt and whisk it gently until it becomes smooth and silky in texture. To this, add the entire tin of condensed milk, along with mango pulp and gently whisk till you get a smooth ribbon-like consistency. The next step is to add milk and mix well.
You will need a steamer for this recipe. Boil enough quantity of water in the lower deck of the steamer. Transfer the contents of the recipe into a silicon mould or any mould suitable for steaming. Place the mould with all its contents in the upper deck of the steamer. Now steam for 15-20 minutes.
Once steamed remove it from the steamer and let it come to room temperature. Once it reaches room temperature place the mould in the fridge for cooling. Once chilled you can garnish it with mango slices and serve chilled.
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