Quick and Budget-Friendly Protein Meals for Home Cooking

                Quick and Budget-Friendly Protein Meals for                                           Home  Cooking

When the word protein is mentioned, everyone will most likely associate the word with such expensive foods as protein supplements or protein powders, or even imported snacks. However, the reality is, it is not necessary to spend a lot to receive enough protein. We already have cheap, high protein foods in our Indian kitchens such as dals, beans, chana, paneer, eggs, peanuts and curd.

I recall I would think when I first started paying attention to my protein intake that I needed to go and grab those fancy containers of protein supplement. However, in the long term, however, I could understand that daily cooking of locally available and affordable ingredients was quite sufficient to the bulk of population. It is also healthier, as well as the obvious fact that it tastes better since it is homemade and fresh.

In this article, therefore, I will present you with 10 low cost protein recipes, which you can readily make at breakfast, lunch or dinner time. These are realistic, easy-to-pocket and blend well with anyone, be it a student living in a hostel, working individual or housekeeper taking care of the family food.

The Relevance of Protein in Daily Life:

• Then, without keeping you too long before we get to the recipes, here is why protein is so important.
• Makes you more full longer deters extra snacking.
• Aids in weight control protein raises metabolism.
• Grows and fixes muscles needed by children, gym enthusiasts and even elderly people.
• Facilitates immunity healthy body enhanced resistance to diseases.
• The most wonderful thing? At first, all these pictures were offered with a generous discount to this man. You do not need high-end superfoods. There are enough affordable local possibilities

10 Cheap Protein Recipes:

1. Mung Dal Khichdi:

This is my comfort meal that I often visit when I do not want to go to a restaurant. It is easy on the stomach and protein packed.

Ingredients:  Yellow moong dal, rice, ghee, cumin, ginger and vegetables (optional).

How to prepare: Wash and cook dal and rice and add water, add tempering of ghee, cumin and ginger.

Budget Tip: Dal is a very cheap source of protein in India.

2. Curry Egg with Rice Cooked on Steam:

During my college life, this recipe saved me. Filling, cheap, simple.

They include boiled eggs, onion, tomato, and spices and ginger-garlic paste.

What to do: Add the onion- tomato gravy, add the boiled eggs and simmer. Serve with rice.

On A Budget: Eggs are low-priced and nutriuous.

3. Sundal (Chickpeas and rice):

As the name indicates, this dish is very popular in the South of India and is delicious, source of protein and very economical.

Ma'am: boiled chickpeas, coconut, curry leaves, green chilli.

How to prepare: Curry leaves and chilli tempered in oil and add in chickpeas and grated coconut.

Variation: Instead use black chana as a source of protein.

4. Besan Cheela 

This one is ideal on hectic mornings.

Ingredients: Gram flour(besan), onion, tomato, green chilly, coriander, water.

Batter and making: Cure a smooth batter out of besan and vegetables. Put a few drops of oil and cook on a tawa.

Budget Advice: Besan costs less than atta and is more protein.

5. and Peanut Chikki (Protein sweet)

This one is like in my childhood again when my grandmother used to make peanut chikki at home.

Roasted peanuts, jaggery.

The procedure: Melt jaggery, add roasted peanuts, flatten and cut it into pieces.

Why it works: A cost effective protein packed energy food.

6. Sprouts Salad

Sprouts are not just cheaply prepared but also very healthy.

How to make: combine all the elements and eat without cooking.

Sprouting at home costs less money, and it is fresher as compared to when buying outside.

7. Thukpa Dal Rasam Rice

A protein-rich and delicious recipe of South India.

Toor dal, tamarind water, tomato, rasam powder, curry leaves.

How to prepare: Cookation of the dal, blend it with the tamarind water, spices and boil it. 

Reasons why it is good: easy, inexpensive food, and high in protein.

8. Paneer Bhurji

In case you are looking out short and filling, paneer bhurji is a hit.

Ingredients Onions, tomatoes, green chillies, turmeric and coriander.

Budget Tip: Paneer made using milk is cheaper as compared to purchasing.

9. Lobia (Black-Eyed pea) Curry

It is probably one of the best underused protein recipes in India.

Ingredients: Lobia that are soaked, onion, tomato, ginger-garlic paste and spices.

How to prepare: Pressure Cook lobia in spices and gravy of onion-tomato. Serve with rice of with roti.

Budget Hack: Lobia is also a cheaper alternative of rajma, which is equally nutritious.

10. Flax Seeds Curd Rice

I bet even curd rice can be protein-compatible with a slight change.

Ingredients: Ready cooked rice, curd, curry leaves, green chilli, flax seeds.

The way to prepare: Combine rice with curd, with tempering of curry and chilli and sprinkle flax seeds.

It works because it has protein in curd and additional nutrition in flax seeds.

Ways in which a person can save money when buying protein-rich diets: 

Protein on a budget all comes down to intelligent decisions. The tips are as follows:

1. Buy in large quantities -Dals, beans and peanuts are cheaper when purchased in quantity.

2. Eat at home- Restaurant food is a tempting view, but it is healthier to eat home than spend on an eatery.

3. Use seasonal produce – seasonal vegetables/fruits are cheaper and fresher.

4. Use leftovers – The lunchtime dal can be used to make dal paratha later on.

5. Opt for local harvests - Go local as opposed to imported quinoa and explore our native millets, dals and pulses.

Personal Experience:

Protein bars and shakes cost me some money a few years ago. Then I changed to homemade preparations such as moong dal chilla, sprouts salad and paneer dishes. Not only did the change require less money out of my pocket but it was also healthier.

These dishes have also been enjoyed by my family now My daughter is in love with paneer paratha, my wife is a sprouts salad fan and I can never refuse to have a chana sundal when served with tea. Budget Friendly Protein food is something you can bring to any family.

Final Thoughts:

It does not have to take much expensive and complex efforts to eat protein on a daily basis. Plan and be resourceful; it is not too difficult to cook cheap protein food that is both tasty and nutritious.

Our conventional Indian foods are protein rich in nature. We only have to make them a part of our everyday lives intelligently.

And the next time you consider skipping protein thinking it is going to be expensive, give one of the above recipes a shot. You will find out that a nutritious meal can be easy, inexpensive and tasty.

Spread good tidings:

Did you like these low cook low recipes with protein? So donot hoard them to yourself! Share with your friends and family on WhatsApp or Facebook or Instagram. You will find them grateful to you with these simple suggestions.

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