Indian Lunch Recipes-Who doesn’t wish for a wholesome lunch? But the times we live in today, getting even 15 minutes off to savour our meal seems like a distant reality. As such we tend to quickly grab a meal without caring much about the calories or the nutritional content, and this is where we go wrong, causing harm to ourselves. The lunch hours of the day are when our metabolism is at its peak. You’re partially burned out and are looking forward to the first long break of the day. You might huddle in front of a television, eat at your desk or at the small table in your office cafeteria, but what you need to remember is that lunch helps you recover from the first half of your day and recharge you for what’s about to come. Which is why it needs to be the ideal balance of protein, fiber, sugar and fat – basically all things good.

According to Rev. Benita Francis Chemnitz, author of the book How to Maximize Your Brain, “the calories you consume at lunch should have fewer carbohydrates and  more protein. Increase your intake of protein foods like seafood, turkey, tofu and legumes. And eat them before you eat the carbohydrates because they’ll wake up your brain!” A light and lean source of protein helps provide your muscles with amino acids they need to continue rebuilding and reshaping themselves.

Add some vegetables to this mix and we promise you’ll feel healthier than ever. Some basic dishes you could try are healthy chickpea and corn salad, chicken sandwich, a bowl of quinoa, poha or a big bowl of soup and chicken. Roger Troy Wilson, author of the book ‘Let’s do Lunch’ says, “adding vegetables and fruits in your lunch provides lots of valuable vitamins and minerals to a person’s overall eating plan. This includes potassium, folate, niacin, vitamin A, vitamin B6 and B12, vitamin C, minerals and phytochemicals.” He also suggests that you lose potato, rice and foods made from flour. This means no rolls, buns, bagels, pasta, noodles or crackers. Not unless they’re made with whole wheat flour.

So, learn to cook. Food that’s new and the kind that you’ll want to savour. Don’t sweat the meal prep and just follow our lead.

Take a look at our 13 heart-stoppingly delicious recipes. Find an apron and get cooking!

1. Masala Bhindi

A delicious dish made with freshly bought okra. Grab some mustard oil, cumin seeds, fennel seeds, finely-chopped onions, ginger and a pinch of amchoor. We promise you’ll make this recipe a regular affair in your weekly menu.

2. Chana Kulcha

A classic dish that never goes out of style. The quintessential chana kulcha  needs only a few ingredients – cumin powder, ginger, coriander powder, carom powder and some mango powder, which is what gives the chana it’s sour and tangy taste.

3. Shahi Egg Curry

Eggs are a versatile food that can be cooked for any meal of the day. From breakfast to dinner, it can be a go-to food. Here is a mildly-spiced egg curry made with garlic, onions, a whole lot of kasuri methi, fresh cream, yogurt and fresh coriander. It can be paired with plain chapati, paratha, rice, biryani or pulao depending upon your choice. You can also serve pickle along with it

_{This egg recipe is super easy and quick to cook for lunch or even a dinner party.} 

4. Gujarati Kadhi

A staple in almost every household, Gujarati kadhi is a lovely curry which is simple, light and it’s very easy to make. A lovely Gujarati-style kadhi made with yogurt, gram flour, curry leaves and ginger, this one has sweet undertones. This cooling curry is great to escape the heat.

5. Allahabad Ki Tehri

Also known as vegetable pulao, this one pot rice meal is unique to the rich state of Uttar Pradesh. It’s aromatic, made with a lot of bright vegetables, fiery masalas and topped with desi ghee. Cook for lunch accompanied with curd.

6. Low Fat Dahi Chicken

A low-fat chicken curry made with marinated pieces of chicken, turmeric, red chilli, garlic paste, green chilli, tomatoes and fresh coriander. A perfect chicken recipe to cook for lunch, pair with rice or chapati. Relish your favourite chicken, guilt-free!

Healthy Indian recipes

• A star rating of 4.6 out of 5.

  Up your veg count and get three of your five-a-day with this fragrant, low fat vegetarian curry

  • 50 mins

  • Easy

  • Healthy

  • Vegetarian

• 

  Puris with potato masala (alu puri)

  Try making this traditional Indian dish – a popular lunch during the Holi festivities in spring

  • 1 hr 10 mins

  • More effort

  • Healthy

  • Vegetarian

• 

  Indian chickpeas with poached eggs

  This quick, fibre-rich veggie supper is filling and good for you too. Chickpeas are a great source of manganese, which is essential for healthy bone structure

  • 15 mins

  • Easy

  • Healthy

  • Vegetarian

• 

  Indian potato pie

  This impressive vegetarian pie is really versatile – it tastes great hot, warm or cold, so you can make it well ahead

  • 1 hr 35 mins

  • Easy

  • Healthy

  • Vegetarian

• 

  Indian summer salad

  Packed with antioxidants, this superhealthy, colourful salad counts as 1 of your 5-a-day

  • 20 mins

  • Easy

  • Healthy

  • Vegetarian

• 

  Indian winter soup

  This warming winter soup is high in fibre, low in fat and can be frozen for ultimate convenience

  • 45 mins

  • Easy

  • Healthy

  • Vegan

• 

  Indian bread with courgettes & coriander

  This bread is called thepla in India and is best served hot with lightly salted plain yogurt, or cold with mango chutney

  • 1 hr 15 mins

  • More effort

  • Healthy

• 

  Indian cucumber salad

  Turn down the heat with this palate-cleansing, accompaniment to curry, flavoured with mustard seeds

  • 10 mins

  • Easy

  • Healthy

  • Vegan