Craving some authentic recipes? Healthy recipes to your rescue.
Healthy Recipes from Central India
1. Poha

Ingredients:
1 tbsp oil
Salt, to taste
2 tbsp lemon juice
½ cup green coriander leaves, chopped
1 tsp sugar
A pinch of asafoetida
1 tsp mustard seeds
1 tsp turmeric powder
4-5 curry leaves
6-8 green chillies, split
½ cup green peas, boiled
1 tomato, finely chopped
1 medium onion, thinly sliced
2 cups poha, washed
Method:
- Mix some salt and sugar to the poha using a fork.
- Microwave the oil and asafoetida for a minute in a small bowl. Add mustard seeds, green chillies and curry leaves and microwave for 2 minutes. Transfer the contents in a microwave-safe plastic or borosil bowl.
- Add boiled peas, chopped tomatoes, sliced onion, turmeric powder, and salt and microwave for 4 minutes.
- Add poha and mix gently. Cover with the lid and microwave for 3-4 minutes. Add the lemon juice and coriander leaves before serving.
2. Baked Kusli
Ingredients:
For the stuffing:
½ tsp cardamom powder
3 tbsp dried coconut, grated
¼ cup raisins
¼ cup almonds, ground
1 cup powdered sugar
3-4 tbsp ghee
½ cup semolina
For the covering:
4 tbsp ghee
2 cups plain flour
½ cup of water
Method:
- Microwave semolina in ghee for 4 minutes, stirring in between. Let it completely cool before adding powdered sugar, coconut, almonds, cardamom powder and raisins.
- For the covering, knead the dough with the flour, ghee and water.
- Roll out balls into small circles. Put a small quantity of the stuffing (approximately three teaspoons) in the centre of each circle. Fold it into half and edge it with a fork.
- Bake in a preheated oven at 170C for 10-12 minutes. Serve this sweet dish piping hot.
3. Murg Korma Khada Masala
Ingredients:
½ cup water mixed with ¾ cup yoghurt until smooth
2 tbsp coriander, chopped
5 tbsp oil
2 medium onions, finely sliced
½ kg boneless chicken, cut into 1” pieces
For the onion paste:
1 tsp red chilli powder
¼ tsp turmeric powder
1 tsp salt
1 tbsp cashew nuts
2-3 flakes garlic
½” piece of ginger
1 medium-sized onion
Method:
- Grind all the ingredients of the onion paste together until a smooth paste is obtained.
- Put 5 tbsp oil and sliced onions in a micro proof dish and microwave for 9 minutes.
- Add the chicken and onion paste. Mix and microwave again for 9 minutes or until cooked.
- Add the well-beaten curd and microwave for 3 minutes.
- Add coriander and mix well. Serve hot.
Healthy Recipes from North India
4. Achaari Bhindi

Ingredients:
¾ tsp salt
1 tsp lemon juice
2 big tomatoes, chopped
½ tsp garam masala
½ tsp amchoor
1 tsp dhania powder
A pinch of asafoetida
1 tsp ginger paste
500 g ladyfinger, washed and dried
½ tsp red chilli powder
Achaari spices:
½ tsp kalonji
½ tsp mustard seeds
1 tsp fennel
Method:
- Remove the tip of the head of each ladyfinger but leave the pointed end and split them from the middle until two pieces are obtained.
- Keep the ladyfinger in a dish and sprinkle some oil over it. Mix well before putting it in the oven on combination (microwave+grill) mode until crisp and cooked. It should take about 15 minutes. Once done, keep aside.
- In the separate small dish, add the achaari spices along with the remaining oil. Microwave for 3 minutes.
- To the ladyfinger, add the achaari spices, lemon juice, tomatoes, ginger paste, salt, and dry masalas. Mix gently. Microwave for 4 minutes.
5. Murg Pulao

Ingredients:
3 tsp lemon juice
4 1/2 cup water
1/2 tsp turmeric powder
3 tsp salt
7 tbsp oil
500 g chicken, cut into 6 small pieces
2 cups basmati rice, soaked for 30 minutes
For the paste:
8 black peppercorns
4 cloves
4 tbsp coriander seeds
1/2 tsp nutmeg, grated
seeds of 4 big cardamoms
2″ stick cinnamon
2 tsp fennel
4 tsp ginger, chopped
2 tbsp cumin seeds
12-14 flakes garlic
2 onions, chopped
10 dried red chillies
Method:
- Grind all the ingredients required for the paste until a fine paste is obtained. use a little water, if needed.
- Pu the oil, chicken and the prepared paste in a microwave for 10 minutes.
- Drain the rice and add water, turmeric powder, soaked rice and salt. Cover and microwave for 8 minutes.
- Sprinkle some lemon juice and mix gently using a fork. Cover and microwave again for 7 minutes.
- Separate the grains with a fork. Serve after 5 minutes, garnished with onion slices and lemon wedges.