#BreakfastRecipes in a Jiffy

Weight watchers, don't lose hope! You may have been advised to keep off heavy, deep-fried snacks. But, all is not lost on the quick snack front.

If you can get yourself off the sofa and into the kitchen, there is much to be gained in terms of health and taste!

I have made these recipes at home and they take minimum of preparation and effort:

1. Kabuli chana (white chickpeas) and Alu chaat (Serves 4): 

• Soak 100 gm kabuli chana overnight
• Pressure cook soaked chana with 2 large potatoes for ten minutes or till chana is soft.
• On cooling, drain the water. 
• Peel the potatoes and cut them into medium-sized cubes. 
• Heat one tablespoon oil in a pan, saute two finely-chopped onions, one finely chopped tomato, one-two chopped green chilli (if you like). 
• Add the boiled chana and potatoes to the mixture in the pan.
• Add salt to taste and lemon juice. 
• Sprinkle fresh coriander leaves and a little chaat masala or amchur (raw mango powder)

Note: The Kabuli chana in the chaat makes it super nutritious and filling. It can be a good option for children's tiffin too. You can make it more appealing by adding crushed nachos or bhujia (after the chana and potatoes cool down). 

2. Alu Poha (Flattened Rice with Potato, Serves 2) : A simple, nutritious snack, popular in most households in western India. 

• Wash 100 gm flattened rice (poha) in a collander
• Squeeze water and drain
• Add salt and a little turmeric powder to the washed poha
• Heat sunflower oil in a kadhai/pan, fry half cup raw groundnuts
• Drain the groundnuts and remove from fire
• Add curry leaves, cumin seeds or mustard seeds to the oil in the kadhai
• Add one finely chopped onion, one or two boiled, peeled and cubed potatoes, one slit green chilli, and saute for two minutes.
• Add the poha and mix. Check salt, add a little sugar (if desired)
• Add fried groundnuts, remove from fire, and serve on a dish. Sprinkle coriander leaves and lemon juice.

Note: In winter, you can add finely chopped carrots, french beans, and shelled peas to make it even more filling. Flattened rice is low-calorie and nutritious.

Enjoy cooking and Bon apetit!!