vegan omelette aka a ‘moonglet’

A easy vegetarian/ vegan omelette recipe made from mung bean batter. it’s known as a favourite street food breakfast in New Delhi. it’s mainly served as breakfast, but also makes a good light heathy evening snack. It’s healthy and rich in protein.

INGREDIENTS

Serves 1

for batter:
1 cup moong dal

1/2 tsp turmeric

2 tbsp rice flour
1 tsp salt

For moonglet:

½ tsp ginger paste

1 green chilli (finely chopped)

½ tsp cumin

2 tsp oil
2 tbsp water

pinch chilli powder

1 tbsp coriander (finely chopped)

1 tbsp ghee

INSTRUCTIONS

• Soak 1 cup moong dal for 30 minutes.

• Drain the water and blend to smooth paste.

• add in ¼ tsp turmeric, 2 tbsp of rice flour and 1 tsp salt.

• mix well to form a thick batter.

• In a bowl add 1 tbsp of ghee, ½ tsp cumin, 1 chilli, and ½ tsp ginger paste and mix well.

• now heat a pan and spread 2 tsp oil.

• once the pan is hot, add 1 tbsp water to the batter and mix.

• pour the batter onto the hot pan.

• simmer till the base is cooked well and flip over and press gently.

• Keep flipping till each side is cooked.

• enjoy moonglet with tamarind chutney.

Garlicky Spinach Kitcheri

Garlicky Spinach Kitcheri a healthy meal in one pot – full of protein and the yummy goodness of green veggies

Kitchari is an staple to the Ayurvedic way of life. It is made up of basmati rice and mung dal and known as a one-pot dish. Basmati rice and mung dal together create a balanced food that is a good protein combination and is tridoshic. kitchari can produce balancing effects for the three bodily doshas, it is easy to digest and gives strength and vitality. It nourishes all the tissues of the body.

Benefits of Kitchari

Eliminates toxins from the body tissues.

improve digestion and restore regular bowel movements.

remove heaviness or congestion in the body.

supports weight loss.

improve energy and vitality.

promote overall health and wellness.

Ingredients

1 cup of moong dal
1 cup basmati rice
1 Bag of baby spinach
2 cups of water
2 green chilli
1 red chilli
1 medium onion
1 Tomato
5 garlic cloves
2 inches of fresh Ginger
4 tbs of coriander
1 lemon
1 tbs of ghee
Spices:
1 tsp garlic powder
1 tsp cumin
1 tsp cumin powder
1 tsp of turmeric
11/2 tsp of asafoetida
1tsp of garam Masla
Salt

Method

Wash the moong dal and basmati rice throughly.
Place the mixture in the cooker, add 2 cups of water, 1 tsp of salt and turmeric.
cook in the pressure cooker to 3 whistles.
Once cooked remove the mixture and mix well.
Put the baby spinach in boiling water for 45 seconds and
add a pinch of salt.
Remove the spinach and place in cold water for few seconds.
In a blender place the spinach, 4 tbs of fresh coriander, 2 chopped green chillies, 5 garlic cloves and blend to purée.
In a pan add the following
1 tbs of Ghee
1 tsp cumin
1 tsp asafoetida
1 tsp garlic powder
1 inch of fresh ginger
1 chopped red chilli
Cook for 3 minutes on low heat
Add in a finely chopped onion and cook till the onions are brown.
Add in a chopped tomato
1 tsp cumin powder
1 tsp garam masla
1 tsp coriander
1 tsp salt
Stir well (add a splash of water to avoid the spices from burning) cook well till the tomatoes are mushy.
Now add the spinach purée to the pan stir and cook for 3 mins.
Finally add in the kitchari and stir.
cook for another 5 minutes on low heat.
Add a squeeze of lemon, mix well.

What is Veganism?

Veganism is the practice that excludes the use of all dairy and animal products, in the diet.

What to eat on a vegan diet?

◦ Fruits and vegetables.

◦ Legumes such as peas, beans, and lentils.

◦ Nuts and seeds.

◦ Breads, rice, and pasta.

◦ Dairy alternatives milk, yoghurt and cheese

◦ Vegetable oils.

Benefits of vegan Diet?

When it’s done and followed correctly, a vegan diet can help will the following:

◦ Promote weight loss

◦ Promotes Skin Health

◦ Reduce risk of heat disease.

◦ lowering cholesterol

◦ Manage diabetes by lowering A1C levels

When following a vegan diet, you have to make sure you are getting all the important essential nutrients. With a normal diet they are easily found in dairy and meat products. You’ll have to find alternatives to incorporate them into your new vegan lifestyle.

Ways to incorporate essential vitamins and protein into a vegan diet.

Iron: An excellent source of iron is found the the following plant base foods: include leafy green veg ( kale broccoli spinach), black-eyed peas, tofu and dried and fresh fruits.

Protein: Soy products like; (tofu and edamame) are an excellent source of protein as well as chickpeas and lentils.

Vitamin D: Fortified cereals, oat and orange juice are an excellent source. So are vegetables like mushrooms, Spinach, Kale, Okra and Collards. Soybeans and

White beans also high in vitamin D. 10 minutes of sunlight exposure daily can also give a good boost of vitamin D.

Vitamin B12: It can be it can’t be difficult to maintain a good level of vitamin B12 in a vegan diet, as it’s not found in plants. Forfeited fortified cereals, fortified rice and soy drinks are an excellent source of vitamin B12.

Essential fatty acids: To ensure a you’re getting your daily essential fatty acids dose, include whole grains grains and leafy green vegetables into your diet. (kale, spinach and collards). Also try and Snack on a handful of unsalted nuts, like almonds or walnuts.

Sprouted Mung Bean Patties

These yummy patties are made from sprouted mung beans and a great, light alternative to chickpea falafels.

Sprouted mung beans has less calories, with a lot of antioxidants and amino acids. These are some of the health benefits of sprouted mung beans.

Reduces Chronic Disease Risk.

Antioxidants Vitexin and Isovitexin that can help to prevent Heat Stroke.

May lower “Bad” LDL Cholesterol Levels, Reducing Heart Disease Risk.

Ingredients

4 cups of sprouted Ming beans.

I cup of fresh coriander.

2 tsp of cumin.

1 tbsp of olive oil.

1 tsp of baking soda.

Fresh Juice of 1 lemon.

Method

Preheat oven to 350f/175c

Put all the ingredients in a food processor and blitz till the mixture sticks together.

Add in the lemon juice and baking powder and mix throughly.

Place a sheet of baking paper on to over tray.

Start to module the mixture in to small balls and place on tray.

Brush the patties with oils and put them in the preheated oven for 18 minutes or till they they are golden brown and crisp.

Protein for Veggies

Are you a vegetarian? Or maybe thinking about becoming a vegetarian and worried about how you will get protein into your diet without meat? After all protein is essential for our health.

Well fear not!

Believe it or not, there is plenty of non-meat foods that can introduce protein into your vegetarian diet so that you are not lacking in nutritional needs.

Vegetarians should always have as wide a variety of foods as possible to ensure they get enough protein in their diet. Here is a brief list of vegetarian foods that are a good source of protein:

Tofu

Quorn

Nuts

Lentils

Soy beans

baked beans

Red kidney beans

Haricot beans

Chickpeas

Dairy products also contain protein. Here’s a short list of how you can get your daily dose of protein with dairy:

Cheese

Milk

Yogurt

Eggs (I don’t eat eggs but if you do then they are a great source of protein)

Dairy products are higher in calories than the vegan (non dairy) sources of protein so they should be eaten in moderation, particularly if you are trying to lose weight (or keep the same weight!). You can of course buy low fat varieties of cheese and drink semi-skimmed or even skimmed milk, low fat yogurts and spreads.