Finding time in our hectic lives might make it challenging to cook wholesome meals. However, the microwave offers a practical answer for those who want to maintain a balanced diet without sacrificing taste or time. Healthy microwave recipes combine nourishing components with speedy preparation to make it possible to enjoy balanced meals with little effort.
Microwave ovens have been a standard part of households for many years. They can be used to heat food and prepare quick meals. These healthy oven recipes ensure that busy people can still enjoy tasty and nutritious cuisine by simplifying meal preparation and preserving vital nutrients. With microwaves becoming more cooking-friendly than other heating devices, it is becoming more accessible for our fast-paced generation to cook our favourite meals at home.
Investing in a microwave for health-conscious eating may change how we think about convenient meals. These range from colourful vegetable meals to protein-rich grains. These healthy yet delicious easy oven recipes will be a hit every time you make them! So keep reading as we discuss the best healthy Indian microwave recipes for you and learn whether microwave ovens are health-friendly.
Table Of Contents
1. 4 Healthy Indian Microwave Recipes
2. Are Microwave Ovens Healthy To Use?
3. Dietitian’s Recommendation
4. The Final Say
5. FAQs
6. References
4 Healthy Indian Microwave Recipes
Healthy microwave recipes are a convenient and time-saving way to prepare nutritious meals at home. From quick Indian dishes to simple oven recipes, a microwave can be a versatile tool in the kitchen.
Let’s have a look at 4 healthy Indian microwave recipes which is perfect for your busy schedule:
1. Microwave Rava Idli
A classic South Indian dish called Rava Idli is a favourite among all age groups. Authentic Rava Idli is an easy, healthy breakfast idea that always stays in style.
The dish is mostly found in South Indian households and uses ingredients like rava, curd and some spices. This process does not involve grinding and fermentation, so it is perfect for busy mornings. Cooking this dish in the microwave is simple and quick. Here is the recipe you must try today.
Ingredients:
- Rava/Sooji - 1 cup
- Curd - 1 cup
- Water - ¼ cup
- Baking soda- 1 tsp
- Oil (for greasing) - 1 tsp
- Salt - to taste
Preparation Method:
- Take a microwave-safe bowl and add Rava/Sooji and curd.
- Mix both well so that no lumps form. Add a little water to make a paste-like mixture.
- Let the mixture rest for 20 minutes.
- Add salt and baking soda to the mixture.
- Take a microwave-safe idli mould and grease it with a bit of oil.
- Add idli mixture to each mould. Make sure not to overfill.
- Put 1/2 cup of water in the microwave-safe bowl that comes with the idli stand.
- Preheat the microwave to 180°C (356°F) on high power for 2 minutes.
- Place the idli stand in it and cover it with a lid.
- Heat the idlis in the microwave for 5 minutes at 180°C (356°F).
- Your delicious breakfast is now ready to serve. You can have it with a spicy and tasty chutney.
2. Microwave Besan Dhokla
Besan dhokla is a delicious and healthy Indian snack with low calories. Often regarded as one of the best Gujarati dishes, this takes less than 30 minutes to prepare, so this recipe is a saviour if you are on the run. Filled with the richness of besan and other spices, it is popular with all age groups. Unlike traditional preparation, this healthy microwave recipe requires less effort. Here’s what you need:
Ingredients:
- Besan - 1 cup
- Curd - 1/2 cup
- Water - 1/2 cup
- Oil - 1 tbsp
- Ginger paste - 1 tsp
- Green chilli paste - 1 tsp
- Turmeric powder - 1/2 tsp
- Salt - 1 tsp
- Sugar - 1 tsp
- ENO (Fruit salt) - 1 tsp
- Corriander for garnish
Preparation Method:
- Mix besan, ginger, chilli paste, salt, turmeric, sugar, and oil in a microwave-safe bowl. Then, beat the curd together with these ingredients.
- Now, it is time to whisk all the ingredients until smooth.
- Add water and mix well again.
- Add ENO, mix gently, and immediately pour into a greased oven dhokla plate, put it in the microwave, and cover.
- Cook on high power at 180°C for about 6-8 minutes.
- Heat oil for tadka, and add rai, kadi patta, and green chillies.
- Fry until lightly browned.
- Add 1 cup of water & reduce it to half.
- Cut the dhokla into pieces of the desired size and pour the tadka over it.
- Garnish with coriander and serve.
3. Microwave Paneer Tikka
Microwave Paneer Tikka is a quick and tasty dish that is perfect for busy days. You can easily make it by marinating paneer cubes in spices and yoghurt and then cooking them in the microwave for just a few minutes. This dish is delicious and packed with protein, making it a healthy choice. The nutritional benefits of eating paneer include strong bones and muscles, as it is rich in calcium and protein. It's a great option for a fast, healthy meal!
Ingredients:
- Paneer - 300 gm ( cut in cubes)
- Curd - ¼ cup
- Diced Onion - ¼ cup
- Diced Tomato - ¼ cup
- Capsicum - ¼ cup
- Garam masala powder - ½ tsp
- Red chilli sauce - 1 tbsp
- Tandoori masala - 1 tbsp
- Lemon juice - 1 tbsp
- Oil - 1 tbsp
- Kashmiri mirch powder - 1 tsp
- Coriander powder - 1 tsp
- Ginger garlic paste - 1 tsp
- Garam masala powder - ½ tsp
- Chaat masala - ½ tsp
Preparation Method:
- In a mixing bowl, combine the paneer cubes, curd, ginger-garlic paste, red chilli sauce, tandoori masala, Kashmiri mirch powder, coriander powder, garam masala powder, and lemon juice.
- Mix well and let it marinate for 30 minutes.
- Add the diced onions, tomatoes, and capsicum to the marinated paneer. Mix everything together.
- Transfer the mixture to a microwave-safe dish and spread it evenly.
- Drizzle the oil over the top.
- Cook in the microwave for 5-7 minutes at 180°C or until the paneer is tender and the vegetables are slightly cooked.
- Sprinkle chaat masala over the top and mix well.
- Serve hot with mint chutney or any other dipping sauce of your choice.
4. Microwave Tandoori Chicken
Microwave Tandoori Chicken is a quick and flavorful dish perfect for busy days when you want a tasty meal without much effort. This dish is delicious and healthy, as it is low in fat and protein. With Microwave Tandoori Chicken, you can enjoy a restaurant-style meal at home without spending hours in the kitchen!
Ingredients:
- Boneless Chicken - 500 gm
- Curd - 1 cup
- Onion - 2
- Mustard oil - 3 tsp
- Ginger garlic paste - 1 tbsp
- Red chilli powder - 2 tsp
- Lemon juice - 2 tsp
- Garam masala - 1 tsp
- Tandoori masala - 1 tsp
- Chaat masala - 1 tsp
- Butter - 1 small cube
Preparation Method:
- First, thoroughly wash and clean the chicken. Then, apply garlic-ginger paste and salt to the chicken pieces.
- Next, whisk the curd in a bowl and then make a paste by adding the remaining garlic-ginger paste, red chilli powder, tandoori masala,garam masala, salt to taste and mustard oil.
- Then put the chicken in this mixture and dip it well and make slits with a knife so that the masala fits inside well.
- Leave 15 - 20 minutes aside and start preheating the microwave oven at 120 degrees on the grill.
- Then, brush the chicken with butter and place the chicken in the microwave on the grill.
- After 10 minutes, check whether the chicken is tender; if it is, remove it to a plate.
- If not, cook for 5 more minutes.
- Then drizzle with lemon juice and chaat masala and serve.
- You can also cook the chicken tikka using the auto-select option on the menu.
Also Read: Grilled Chicken For Weight Loss: 3 Delicious Recipes And Benefits For A Healthier You
Are Microwave Ovens Healthy To Use?
Yes, microwaves are perfectly safe to use. To break the myths, microwaves do not cause cancer, and there is no conclusive evidence to link them.
They are electronic devices used for cooking or heating food & these are more common in homes than toasters because of their speed and affordability. The magnetron, an electron tube found within microwave ovens, generates microwaves. The food absorbs the microwaves after bouncing off the metal in the oven. Microwaves vibrate the water molecules in your food, which creates the heat that cooks the food. This is why foods with a high water content, such as vegetables, can be cooked quickly.
The FDA has a Center for Devices and Radiological Health (CDRH) that enforces performance standards for electronic products to ensure that radiation emissions do not harm the public. Microwaves, except radio waves and visible light, are all non-ionising radiation. The only non-ionising radiation that causes cancer is UV light. So overall, microwave oven use is safe and healthy and will not cause cancer or other adverse health conditions.
Also Read: All About Personalised Chart Of A Healthy Diet: Tips And 7 Day Diet Plan
Dietitian's Recommendation
Eating healthy, nutritious, and wholesome foods is very important if you want to lead a productive life. To help you with your daily eating habits and prepare healthy recipes for your family and friends, I encourage you to use the microwave and prepare a healthy version of your favourite recipes to stay healthy and not compromise on the taste.
Dt. Lavina Chauhan
The Final Say
With these healthy microwave recipes, gone are those busy days when you must depend on outside food. You can use the oven to prepare delicious dishes and meals for your friends and family without compromising their health. Breaking the myths around microwaves being cancerous, the healthy recipes using microwaves help you maintain your well-being without letting your busy lives hamper it. So get your shopping list out, set the equipment, and prepare as many healthy recipes as you can!
FAQs
1. Is cooking in a microwave oven healthy?
Yes, cooking in a microwave oven is healthy. It enables baking, grilling and roasting without the need for excessive oil while preserving the nutritional value of the ingredients. Using a microwave oven for cooking can help prepare healthier meals compared to deep frying.
2. Can we prepare food in the microwave?
Yes, of course! A microwave oven is definitely designed for more than just heating or defrosting; it is an efficient cooking device for preparing various dishes. From baking cakes to cooking full meals like roast chicken, the microwave can do it all, making it a useful tool for any kitchen.
3. What foods are best cooked in a microwave?
Foods with high moisture content, such as ground meat, poultry, vegetables, and fruits, are best cooked in a microwave oven. Eggs, cheese, and solid cuts of meat can toughen when microwaved on high power, so they are better cooked on reduced power for longer periods to allow heat to reach the centre without overcooking the outer areas.
References
- https://agarolifestyle.com/blogs/blogs-listing/7-healthy-recipes-to-make-in-your-otg-for-better-health
- https://www.mothersrecipe.com/blogs/blogs/indian-breakfast-recipes-in-microwave?srsltid=AfmBOoryqfeVpWkcvraXjefNR92dWfa45_zgPJeQbS40IPUCNSkA8okL
- https://www.webmd.com/a-to-z-guides/what-is-refrigerant-poisoning
- https://food.ndtv.com/lists/5-best-indian-microwave-recipes-2020828
- https://www.herzindagi.com/hindi/recipe-tips/best-microwave-recipes-you-can-try-article-239263
- https://m.recipes.timesofindia.com/recipes/microwave-tandoori-chicken/rs53631879.cms
- https://mytastycurry.com/tandoori-paneer-tikka-in-microwave-oven
About ToneOp Eats
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