The majority of people believe that you cannot possibly eat Indian food while on a weight-loss program. You may make that argument if you only ever eat Indian food in restaurants because many traditional Indian dishes call for deep frying or the use of clarified butter (also known as ghee) (clarified butter). However, if you prepare Indian food at home, it may simply be incorporated into a weight-loss regimen in the same way that any other food would be. All you have to do is adhere to a few easy general norms.
– Recipes that call for deep-frying should be avoided at all costs. A sturdy non-stick pan and a spray bottle filled with sunflower or vegetable oil are ideal for searing meat before braising it for a curry dish. Lightly spray the surface of the pan with oil, and that should be plenty to keep the meat from sticking while it is browning and cooking.
– Where cream or coconut cream is called for in a recipe, plain yogurt should be used instead, with another flavor to replace the coconut.
Tandoori dishes are excellent as a low-calorie or low-carbohydrate addition to any diet. Prepare a marinade by combining low-fat plain yogurt, ground turmeric, ground coriander, powdered cumin, crushed garlic, grated root ginger, and a pinch of chili powder (or to taste) in a bowl and letting it sit for at least an hour. Serve over steamed rice or naan bread. If you’re using cubed meat, thread it onto skewers to hold it together. Grill or grill until done on a medium heat setting. Serve with a side of mixed salad and lemon wedges to squeeze over the top. It is also possible to serve this with pitta bread, a baked potato, or some cooked rice if your diet isn’t too restrictive.
Curry dishes are also acceptable (preferably fish or chicken). A meal that uses only a spice and water basis or a tomato base will almost probably have no negative impact on your calorie consumption, but be sure to reduce the amount of oil you need to cook onions, spices, or whatever to a bare minimum.
For vegetarians or those trying to cut down on meat because of its relatively high-calorie content, Indian cooking is ideal. There are so many delicious vegetable and pulse meals to choose from that you won’t even realize you’re on a diet!
Never forget paneer (Indian cottage cheese), which can be prepared in the same way as tandoori chicken or a spicy sauce as described above. If you can’t get paneer, tofu can be used in its place.
Here’s to a lean and mean new year!
Why not stop by an Indian restaurant in Cincinnati for all of your Indian cuisine requirements?