5 Easy Indian Breakfast Recipes for Busy Mornings

Introduction

Indian breakfasts are renowned for their rich flavors, diverse ingredients, and energizing qualities, making them the perfect start to any day. But when mornings are hectic, it’s not just about the taste but also how quickly and easily you can prepare a meal. Here, we’ll explore 5 easy Indian breakfast recipes that are not only quick to whip up but also nutritious, catering to the needs of busy individuals or families. Whether you’re juggling work or school schedules, these recipes will help you kickstart your day with a burst of energy without spending too much time in the kitchen.

Poha

Poha, or flattened rice, is a go-to breakfast option in many Indian homes due to its simplicity and nutritional value. Here’s how you can prepare this delightful dish:

• Ingredients:
• 1 cup Poha (flattened rice)
• 1 small onion, finely chopped
• 1 small potato, diced
• 1 green chili, chopped
• 1 tablespoon peanuts
• Turmeric, salt, mustard seeds, cumin seeds
• Curry leaves, a pinch of sugar, and lemon juice
• Preparation Steps:
1. Wash the Poha under running water for a minute until it softens, then drain it.
2. In a pan, heat some oil, add mustard seeds, cumin seeds, and peanuts. Once they start to pop, add the curry leaves and green chili.
3. Add diced potatoes, cooking until they’re nearly done. Follow with onions, cooking until translucent.
4. Add the turmeric, salt, and sugar, then mix in the Poha, ensuring everything is well combined. Cook for a couple of minutes on low heat.
5. Finish with a drizzle of lemon juice for that zesty touch.

🍛 Note: For a non-vegetarian twist, you can fry an egg or toss in some fried or scrambled eggs with the Poha.

Upma

This savory, thick semolina porridge is comfort food and a time-saver:

• Ingredients:
• 1 cup semolina (sooji or rava)
• 1 small onion, finely chopped
• 1 green chili, chopped
• Vegetables like carrots, peas, and beans (optional)
• Mustard seeds, cumin seeds, urad dal, chana dal, curry leaves
• Steps:
1. Dry roast the semolina in a pan until it turns slightly golden, then set aside.
2. Heat oil in the pan, add mustard seeds, cumin seeds, urad dal, and chana dal. Once they splutter, add curry leaves and chili.
3. Add onions and any vegetables you’re using, cooking until soft.
4. Add water, salt, and bring to a boil. Slowly add the roasted semolina, stirring continuously to avoid lumps.
5. Reduce heat, cover, and cook for a couple of minutes.

🌿 Note: Customize Upma with different vegetables or spice levels to suit your taste.

Paratha (Aloo Paratha)

Aloo Paratha is a favorite for its simplicity in preparation and the satisfaction of biting into a freshly cooked, hot paratha:

• Ingredients:
• 2 cups whole wheat flour
• Water for kneading dough
• 2-3 boiled potatoes
• Spices like salt, red chili powder, garam masala
• Steps:
1. Knead the flour into a soft dough, adding water gradually.
2. Mash the potatoes with spices.
3. Divide the dough into small balls, flatten, stuff with potato mixture, and roll into parathas.
4. Cook on a hot tawa (griddle), brushing with ghee or oil until golden brown spots appear.

Instant Dosa

When you’re in a hurry, this quick dosa recipe is your savior:

• Ingredients:
• 1 cup semolina
• ¹⁄₂ cup rice flour
• ¹⁄₄ cup yogurt
• Salt, a pinch of baking soda, water
• Steps:
1. Mix semolina, rice flour, and yogurt with water to form a smooth batter. Add salt and baking soda.
2. Let the batter sit for 10-15 minutes.
3. Pour the batter onto a hot, lightly oiled tawa in a circular motion to form dosas. Cook until golden, flip, and cook the other side.

Idli with Sambar

Soft, fluffy idlis served with sambar are not only quick to cook but also healthy:

• Ingredients for Idli:
• Instant idli mix or ready-made batter
• Water
• Ingredients for Sambar:
• 1 cup toor dal
• Vegetables like carrots, drumstick, potatoes, etc.
• Sambar powder, tamarind, mustard seeds, curry leaves
• Steps:
1. Steam idlis as per the instructions on the idli mix packet.
2. For Sambar, boil toor dal until soft, mash slightly, then add cooked vegetables, sambar powder, and tamarind extract.
3. Finish with tempering of mustard seeds, curry leaves, and red chilies in oil, pour over the Sambar.

With these 5 easy Indian breakfast recipes, even the busiest mornings can be filled with delicious, home-cooked meals. They are tailored to save time while offering a delightful start to your day, ensuring you're fueled up for the challenges ahead. By choosing these dishes, you're embracing the flavors of India while respecting your time constraints, making your mornings both enjoyable and efficient.

Can these recipes be made in advance?

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Yes, some of these recipes like Upma and Idli batter can be prepared ahead of time, making your mornings even quicker.

Are these recipes suitable for a vegan diet?

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Most of these recipes are vegan friendly. You can make Poha, Upma, and Dosa vegan by skipping any ghee or yogurt. Aloo Paratha can be made vegan by using oil instead of ghee.

How can I make these dishes healthier?

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Include a variety of vegetables, use whole wheat flour for Paratha, and minimize oil usage. You can also substitute regular semolina with semolina made from millets or whole grains for an added health benefit.

Are these recipes budget-friendly?

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Absolutely, these dishes are not only quick but also made from commonly available, inexpensive ingredients. They are perfect for saving both time and money.