Healthy and Enjoyable Recipes for a Nutritious Lunch

Looking for healthy and delicious lunch options? Here are some of my favorite recipes that are both nutritious and easy to make. Whether you're a busy professional, a health-conscious eater, or simply someone who loves good food, these recipes are sure to please.

1. Dahi Sandwich with Brown Bread

Dahi sandwich is a delightfully simple recipe that can be had for lunch. I recommend going for brown bread to increase the health quotient. Here's a quick and easy recipe:

Ingredients: 2 slices of brown bread 1 cup of plain dahi (yogurt) 1 finely chopped tomato 1 finely chopped cucumber 1 finely chopped onion 1 teaspoon of fine green chutney (optional) 1 teaspoon of salt (or to taste) Lemon juice to taste Chopped coriander leaves (optional)

2. Oats with Fruits and Nuts

This breakfast can turn into a delightful and nutritious meal for lunch. Simply mix in some of your favorite fruits and nuts.

Ingredients: 1 cup of oats A bowl of your favorite fruits (berries, apples, bananas, etc.) A handful of nuts (almonds, walnuts, etc.) 1 tablespoon of honey (optional) 1 teaspoon of flaxseeds (optional)

3. Cauliflower Pizza

Roasted cauliflower pizza is a fun and healthy lunch option. Here's how to make it:

Ingredients: 1 lb. pizza dough 1/2 medium head of cauliflower, thinly sliced 1 small red onion, thinly sliced 1/2 cup fresh flat-leaf parsley 4 oz. (about 1 3/4 cup) grated gruyère cheese 2 tablespoons olive oil 1/2 teaspoon salt

Directions:

Preheat the oven to 425°F. Dust a baking sheet with cornmeal. Create an oval-shaped pizza dough and place it on the prepared sheet. In a large bowl, mix the cauliflower, red onion, parsley, olive oil, crushed red pepper (optional), and salt. Fold in the grated cheese. Sprinkle the vegetable mixture over the dough. Bake until the cauliflower is tender and the crust is golden brown and crispy—about 20 to 25 minutes.

4. Chicken Dum Biryani

I love chicken, and here's a recipe I recently tried that I absolutely love.

Ingredients: Chicken Aromatic rice (such as basmati) Chicken stock (vegetarian or otherwise) Biryani masala Spring onions, chopped (for garnish) Lemon wedges (optional) Ghee or butter (for cooking) Plain dahi (yogurt) for garnish (optional)

Directions:

Cook the rice separately and keep aside. Heat ghee in a pan and add chicken along with the biryani masala. Cook until the chicken is browned. Add chicken stock and simmer until the chicken is tender. Toss the cooked rice into the chicken and mix well. Sprinkle fenugreek seeds over the biryani. Top with a garnish of spring onions and dahi, if using. Serve with lemon wedges.

5. Croque Monsieur

For a French touch, try making a Croque Monsieur at home. Here's the recipe:

Ingredients: 2 slices of sourdough bread 1/4 cup of Dijon mustard 1/4 cup of mayonnaise (Best Foods or Hellmann's preferred) 1/4 cup of grated Gruyère or Emmental cheese 2 slices of ham (Aged Swiss if Gruyère or Emmental is not available) Butter (for cooking)

Directions:

Spread Dijon mustard on one slice of the bread and mayonnaise on the other. Then, add an equal amount of ham and grated cheese to one slice. Place the two slices together and press gently to form a sandwich. Heat a non-stick pan and place the sandwich in it with the ham side down. Cook until the bottom is crispy, then flip and cook the other side until the cheese melts and the bread is golden brown. Serve hot with a side of minestrone, if desired.