Protein Rich Recipes

Palak Paneer Cheese Bomb

🌿🟢 Palak Paneer Cheese Stuffed Balls

🛒 Ingredients

🌿 For Outer Palak Wheat Layer:

  • 2 cups whole wheat flour (atta)
  • 1 cup spinach (blanched & pureed)
  • ½ tsp salt
  • ½ tsp ajwain (optional)
  • 1 tsp oil
  • Water if needed

🧀 For Stuffing:

  • 1 boiled potato (mashed)
  • ½ cup grated paneer
  • ¼ cup grated mozzarella/processed cheese
  • ½ tsp garam masala
  • ½ tsp cumin powder
  • ½ tsp chilli flakes or green chilli
  • 1 tbsp chopped coriander
  • Salt to taste

👩‍🍳 Step-by-Step Method

1️⃣ Prepare Palak Dough

  1. Blanch spinach for 2 minutes.
  2. Cool and blend into smooth puree.
  3. Mix atta + salt + ajwain + oil.
  4. Add spinach puree gradually.
  5. Knead into soft but firm dough.
  6. Rest 15–20 minutes.

2️⃣ Prepare Stuffing

Mix:

  • Mashed potato
  • Paneer
  • Cheese
  • Spices & coriander

Make small stuffing balls and keep ready.


3️⃣ Shape the Balls

  1. Take medium-sized dough portion.
  2. Flatten in your palm.
  3. Place stuffing ball in center.
  4. Seal edges carefully.
  5. Roll gently into smooth ball.

Make sure there are no cracks.


🍳 Cooking Options (Healthy)

🥘 Option 1: Steamed (Very Healthy)

  • Steam in idli steamer for 10–12 mins.
  • Brush little ghee after steaming.

Texture: Soft like dumpling.


🫓 Option 3: Tawa Roast

  • Cover and cook on low flame.
  • Turn slowly till golden.
  • Use minimal oil.

Egg Sunny Side Up

Sunny Side Up (Desi Anda Fry)

Ingredients

  • 1–2 eggs
  • 1–2 tsp oil or ghee (ghee = extra yum)
  • Salt, to taste
  • Black pepper, to taste
  • A pinch of red chilli powder
  • A pinch of turmeric (haldi)
  • Optional but very Indian:
    • A pinch of garam masala OR chaat masala
    • Finely chopped green chilli (if you like heat)
    • Little chopped coriander for garnish

Method

  1. Heat a small pan on medium-low heat. Add oil or ghee.
  2. Once hot, gently crack the egg into the pan. Don’t break the yolk.
  3. Sprinkle salt, pepper, red chilli powder, and a tiny pinch of turmeric over the egg white (avoid the yolk if you want it runny).
  4. Cover the pan with a lid and let it cook slowly until:
    • Whites are fully set
    • Yolk stays bright and runny (sunny side up vibes ☀️)
  5. Switch off the heat. Sprinkle garam masala or chaat masala on top.
  6. Garnish with coriander if using.

Palak Raita


📝 Ingredients

  • Palak (spinach) – 1 cup, finely chopped
  • Onion – 1 small, finely chopped
  • Garlic – 3–4 cloves, finely chopped
  • Thick curd (dahi) – 1½ cups
  • Green chilli – 1, finely chopped (optional)
  • Roasted cumin powder – ½ tsp
  • Black salt – to taste
  • Salt – to taste
  • Red chilli powder – a pinch
  • Chaat masala – ¼ tsp (optional)
  • Sugar – a tiny pinch (optional)
  • Oil or ghee – 1½ tsp

👩‍🍳 Method

1️⃣ Sauté

  • Heat oil/ghee in a pan.
  • Add garlic, sauté till light golden.
  • Add onion and cook till soft and slightly pink.
  • Add green chilli (if using).
  • Add chopped palak and sauté 2–3 minutes till wilted and moisture dries.
  • Switch off flame and let it cool completely (important).

2️⃣ Prepare Curd

  • Whisk curd till smooth.
  • Add salt, black salt, roasted cumin powder, red chilli powder, chaat masala, and sugar.
  • Mix well.

3️⃣ Combine

  • Add cooled sautéed palak-onion mixture to curd.
  • Mix gently and adjust seasoning.

🍽️ Serving

  • Serve slightly chilled or at room temperature
  • Perfect with gatte ki sabji, dal bati, paratha, or pulao

Paneer Stuffed Gatte Ki Sabji

Paneer Stuffed Gatte ki Sabji


🧀 Paneer Stuffed Gatte ki Sabji

📝 Ingredients

For Gatte (Outer Layer)

  • Besan (gram flour) – 1 cup
  • Ajwain (carom seeds) – ½ tsp
  • Haldi – ¼ tsp
  • Red chilli powder – ½ tsp
  • Salt – to taste
  • Oil – 2 tbsp
  • Curd – 2 tbsp
  • Water – to knead

For Paneer Stuffing

  • Grated paneer – ¾ cup
  • Green chilli – 1 (finely chopped)
  • Ginger – 1 tsp (grated)
  • Coriander powder – ½ tsp
  • Garam masala – ¼ tsp
  • Amchur – ½ tsp
  • Salt – to taste
  • Fresh coriander – 1 tbsp (chopped)

For Gravy

  • Curd – 1 cup (well beaten)
  • Onion paste – 1 medium
  • Ginger-garlic paste – 1 tsp
  • Cumin seeds – 1 tsp
  • Hing – a pinch
  • Haldi – ¼ tsp
  • Red chilli powder – 1 tsp
  • Coriander powder – 1½ tsp
  • Garam masala – ½ tsp
  • Oil or ghee – 3 tbsp
  • Water – as needed
  • Salt – to taste

👩‍🍳 Method

1️⃣ Prepare the Gatte Dough

  • Mix besan, ajwain, spices, salt, oil, and curd.
  • Knead into a semi-soft dough using little water.
  • Rest for 10 minutes.

2️⃣ Make Paneer Stuffing

  • Mix all stuffing ingredients in a bowl.
  • Taste and adjust spices.

3️⃣ Shape & Boil Gatte

  • Divide dough into portions.
  • Roll each portion flat, add paneer stuffing, seal, and shape into thick rolls.
  • Boil in salted water for 8–10 minutes till they float.
  • Remove, cool slightly, and cut into pieces.
  • Save the boiling water for gravy.

4️⃣ Prepare the Gravy

  • Heat oil/ghee, add cumin seeds and hing.
  • Add onion paste and sauté till golden.
  • Add ginger-garlic paste and spices; cook till oil separates.
  • Lower flame, add curd slowly while stirring.
  • Add saved gatte water to adjust consistency.

5️⃣ Final Cooking

  • Add sliced stuffed gatte.
  • Simmer 5–7 minutes so flavors soak in.
  • Finish with garam masala and coriander.

High Protein Veg Bowl


🌿 Green Peas–Moong Dal–Oats–Paneer Tikki

(High protein • High fiber • Pan-seared or air-fryer friendly)

Ingredients

  • Green peas – ½ cup (boiled & lightly mashed)
  • Moong dal (yellow or split green) – ½ cup (soaked 3–4 hrs, boiled & mashed)
  • Paneer – 100 g (grated)
  • Oats – ½ cup (dry roasted & powdered)
  • Ginger – 1 tsp (grated)
  • Green chilli – 1 (finely chopped, optional)
  • Cumin powder – ½ tsp
  • Coriander powder – ½ tsp
  • Garam masala – ¼ tsp
  • Turmeric – a pinch
  • Salt – to taste
  • Fresh coriander – 2 tbsp (chopped)
  • Lemon juice – 1 tsp
  • Cold-pressed oil – 1–2 tsp (for shallow frying)

Method

  1. In a bowl, mix peas, moong dal, paneer, oats powder.
  2. Add ginger, chilli, spices, salt, lemon juice & coriander.
  3. Mix well into a soft dough.
    (If too soft, add more oats powder.)
  4. Shape into flat tikkis.
  5. Cook on a non-stick pan with minimal oil until golden on both sides.
    👉 You can also air-fry at 180°C for 12–15 min.

🍋 Tangy Toor Dal–Lauki–Ginger Sauce

(Protein-rich, gut-friendly, oil-free option possible)

Ingredients

  • Toor dal – ½ cup (boiled & mashed)
  • Lauki (bottle gourd) – ½ cup (chopped & boiled)
  • Ginger – 1 tsp (grated)
  • Dry red chilli – 1
  • Tamarind pulp – 1–2 tsp (adjust tanginess)
  • Turmeric – ¼ tsp
  • Cumin seeds – ½ tsp
  • Mustard seeds – ¼ tsp
  • Hing – pinch
  • Salt – to taste
  • Water – as needed
  • Ghee or oil – 1 tsp (optional)

Method

  1. Blend boiled lauki + toor dal + ginger into a smooth sauce.
  2. Heat oil/ghee, add cumin, mustard, red chilli & hing.
  3. Add turmeric, dal-lauki paste, salt & water.
  4. Simmer 5–7 minutes.
  5. Add tamarind pulp, mix well, adjust seasoning.

👉 Consistency should be pourable but thick.


🥗 Fresh Tomato–Cucumber–Pomegranate Salad

Ingredients

  • Tomato – 1 (chopped)
  • Cucumber – 1 (chopped)
  • Pomegranate – 2 tbsp
  • Black salt – to taste
  • Roasted cumin powder – pinch
  • Lemon juice – 1–2 tsp
  • Fresh mint or coriander – optional

Method

Mix everything just before serving.


🍽 How to Serve

  • Place 2–3 hot tikkis on a plate
  • Pour warm tangy dal-lauki sauce on top or on the side
  • Add fresh salad for crunch and vitamin boost

🌟 Health Benefits

  • High protein: Moong dal + toor dal + paneer
  • High fiber: Oats, lauki, peas
  • Low GI & heart-friendly
  • Good for digestion & weight management

How to Make Paneer Pasta Salad

Ingredients

  • 1 cup pasta (boiled & cooled)
  • 150 g paneer (small cubes)
  • 1 small onion (finely chopped)
  • 1 small capsicum (chopped)
  • 1 small tomato (deseeded & chopped)
  • 2 tbsp boiled sweet corn or cucumber (optional)
  • 1–2 tbsp oil

Masala & Seasoning

  • Salt to taste
  • ½ tsp red chilli powder
  • ¼ tsp turmeric
  • ½ tsp roasted cumin powder
  • ½ tsp chaat masala
  • ½ tsp black pepper
  • ½ tsp oregano or kasuri methi (optional)
  • 1 tbsp lemon juice
  • 1 tbsp green chutney (optional, but very Indian 😄)

Method

  1. Cook pasta
    • Boil pasta in salted water until just soft.
    • Drain, rinse with cold water, and keep aside.
  2. Lightly sauté paneer
    • Heat oil in a pan.
    • Add paneer cubes, sprinkle a little salt & turmeric.
    • Toss gently till lightly golden. Let cool.
  3. Mix veggies
    • In a big bowl, add onion, capsicum, tomato, corn/cucumber.
  4. Add pasta & paneer
    • Add cooled pasta and paneer to the bowl.
  5. Season
    • Add chilli powder, cumin powder, chaat masala, black pepper, oregano/kasuri methi.
    • Add lemon juice and green chutney.
    • Drizzle oil and mix gently.
  6. Taste & rest
    • Adjust salt or lemon.
    • Rest for 10–15 minutes before serving for best flavor.

Optional Add-ons

  • Add sev or roasted peanuts on top for crunch
  • Add curd (1–2 tbsp) for a dahi-chaat style salad
  • Sprinkle fresh coriander before serving

Indian-Style Carrot Ginger Soup

Ingredients (serves 3–4)

  • 4–5 medium carrots, sliced
  • 1 medium onion, chopped
  • 1–2 inch fresh ginger, sliced
  • 2–3 garlic cloves
  • 1 small tomato (optional, for slight tang)
  • 1–2 green chilies (optional, for heat)
  • 1 tbsp oil or ghee
  • ½ tsp cumin seeds
  • ½ tsp turmeric powder
  • ½ tsp black pepper
  • ½–1 tsp garam masala OR ½ tsp curry powder
  • 1 cup vegetable stock or water (add more as needed)
  • Salt to taste
  • Fresh coriander for garnish
  • Optional: 2 tbsp coconut milk for creaminess

🍲 Instructions

1. Sauté the aromatics

  1. Heat oil/ghee in a pot.
  2. Add cumin seeds; let them splutter.
  3. Add onions and sauté until lightly golden.
  4. Add garlic, ginger, and green chilies; sauté 1 minute.

2. Add vegetables & spices

  1. Add carrots and tomato.
  2. Add turmeric, salt, and pepper.
  3. Mix well and sauté for 2–3 minutes.

3. Cook

  1. Add stock/water until carrots are just covered.
  2. Bring to a boil, then cover and simmer 15–20 minutes until carrots are soft.

4. Blend

  1. Cool slightly and blend until smooth (immersion blender or regular blender).
  2. Return to pot and adjust thickness with water/stock.

5. Season & finish

  1. Add garam masala and simmer 2 minutes.
  2. Stir in coconut milk if using.
  3. Taste and adjust salt/pepper.

🌿 Garnish ideas

  • Coriander leaves
  • A swirl of coconut milk
  • Toasted cumin powder
  • Chili oil or ghee drizzle
  • Croutons or toasted nuts

🔥 Variations

  • Spicy version: add ½ tsp red chili powder while sautéing.
  • Ayurvedic: add a pinch of asafoetida (hing) with cumin.
  • Creamier: add ½ potato while cooking carrots.
  • High-protein: add red lentils (¼ cup) while boiling.

One-Pot Quinoa With Spinach & Chickpeas

Serves: 2–3

Prep Time: 10 min

Cook Time: 20 min


🥘 Ingredients

Base

  • 1 cup quinoa (rinsed well)
  • 1 can chickpeas (or 1.5 cups cooked)
  • 2 cups spinach (fresh or 1 cup frozen)
  • 2.25 cups water or vegetable broth
  • 1 medium onion, finely chopped
  • 2 tomatoes, chopped (or ½ cup canned tomatoes)
  • 3–4 garlic cloves, minced
  • 1-inch ginger, grated
  • 1 green chili, slit (optional)

Spices

  • 1 tsp cumin seeds
  • 1 tsp mustard seeds (optional)
  • 1 tsp turmeric
  • 1–1.5 tsp garam masala
  • 1 tsp coriander powder
  • ½ tsp red chili powder (optional)
  • Salt to taste

Oil

  • 1–2 tbsp olive oil, ghee, or coconut oil

Optional add-ins

  • ½ tsp amchur (dry mango powder) or lemon juice
  • Fresh cilantro for garnish

🍲 Instructions

  1. Heat oil in a large pot or deep pan over medium heat.
  2. Add cumin seeds and mustard seeds; let them crackle.
  3. Add onion, sauté until translucent (3–4 minutes).
  4. Add ginger, garlic, and green chili; sauté for 1 minute.
  5. Add tomatoes and cook until soft and pulpy.
  6. Add all dry spices (turmeric, coriander, garam masala, red chili powder); cook 1 minute.
  7. Add chickpeas and mix to coat with spices.
  8. Add rinsed quinoa, toast for 1–2 minutes.
  9. Add water or broth, bring to a boil.
  10. Reduce heat to low, cover, and cook for 15 minutes, or until quinoa is fluffy.
  11. Stir in spinach, cover again for 2–3 minutes to wilt.
  12. Add salt, lemon juice, and adjust seasoning.
  13. Garnish with cilantro and serve hot.

Healthy Ragi Mudde Recipe

Ingredients (Serves 2)

  • 1 cup ragi (finger millet) flour
  • 2 cups water
  • ½ tsp ghee (optional but recommended for flavor & easier rolling)
  • ¼–½ tsp salt (optional)
  • (Optional healthy additions)
    • 1–2 tbsp cooked tur dal water / veggie stock (for extra nutrition)
    • 1 tsp flaxseed powder or chia seeds (optional)

🥣 Instructions

1. Boil water

  • In a heavy-bottomed pot, bring 2 cups of water to a boil.
  • Add salt and ½ tsp ghee.

2. Mix ragi slurry (important for lump-free mudde)

  • In a small bowl, mix 2 tbsp ragi flour with ¼ cup water to make a smooth paste.
  • Add this paste to the boiling water while stirring — this prevents lumps.

3. Add remaining ragi flour

  • Reduce heat to low.
  • Add the rest of the ragi flour in one go.
  • Do NOT stir immediately; let it steam for 1 minute.

4. Stir and cook

  • With a sturdy spoon (or mudde katti), mix vigorously until it forms a smooth dough-like ball.
  • Cook covered for 3–4 minutes on low heat.

5. Shape the mudde

  • Wet your palms with cold water or apply a drop of ghee.
  • Roll the hot ragi mixture into smooth balls.

✔️ Healthy Tips

  • Add dal water instead of plain water for protein boost.
  • Use minimal ghee—just enough for shaping (optional).
  • Great to pair with:
    • Sambar
    • Bassaru
    • Chicken or mutton saaru
    • Coconut chutney + rasam

🍽️ Nutrition Benefits

  • High in fiber → good for digestion
  • Rich in calcium & iron
  • Low glycemic index → diabetic-friendly
  • Gluten-free

Fresh & Healthy Dal Salad Recipe

Serves: 2–3

Ready in: 25 minutes


🛒 Ingredients

For the Salad

  • 1 cup cooked dal (Chana dal, moong dal (whole or split), masoor dal (whole or split), kala chana, kabuli chana, whole masoor, and rajma are the best dals to use in dal salads.)
  • 1 small cucumber, diced
  • 1 medium tomato, diced
  • ½ red onion, finely chopped
  • ½ capsicum (any color), diced
  • 2–3 tbsp fresh coriander or parsley, chopped
  • ¼ cup boiled corn (optional)
  • ¼ cup pomegranate seeds (optional, adds sweetness)
  • A handful of lettuce or baby spinach (optional)

For the Dressing

  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 tbsp lemon juice (or lime juice)
  • 1 tsp honey or maple syrup (optional)
  • 1 tsp mustard ( Dijon or regular )
  • 1 clove garlic, minced
  • Salt and black pepper to taste
  • ½ tsp cumin powder (optional — adds great flavor)

👩‍🍳 Instructions

1. Prepare the lentils

  • Cook dal until they are soft but not mushy.
    (Boil ½ cup raw lentils with water for 15–20 minutes or use pre-cooked ones.)
  • Drain and let them cool.

2. Chop the veggies

  • Dice cucumber, tomato, onion, capsicum, and chop herbs.

3. Make the dressing

  • In a small bowl, whisk together:
    Olive oil + lemon juice + mustard + garlic + honey + cumin + salt + pepper.

4. Combine everything

  • Add cooked dal to a large bowl.
  • Toss in all chopped vegetables, herbs, and optional add-ins.
  • Pour the dressing over and mix gently.

5. Serve

  • Serve immediately or chill for 20 minutes for deeper flavor.
  • Great as a snack, side dish, or light lunch!

💚 Why this salad is super healthy

  • High plant-based protein
  • Great source of fiber → keeps you full
  • Low-fat, nutrient-rich
  • Perfect for weight loss & meal prep