Imagine yourself on a rainy day, cozying up next to the window with a good read. Now imagine some lip smacking steamy food on the side of this beautiful weather. Now best of all, imagine if it was both healthy and fast to make. Indian food that is fat-free and quick to make might sound like an impossible situation. But it is possible with the simplicity of a microwave. Baking in the microwave is an easy way to treat your taste buds and keep tabs on the grease intake. So here are 5 microwave dishes that hardly take any time and still taste heavenly.

1. Baked Dhokla:

The Khaman Dhokla is a favourite amongst all Indians, no matter which part of the country they come from. Though the dish is naturally healthy with it being steamed, the microwaved version gives you this healthy goodness much quicker. All you need to do is mix the listed ingredients together and place it in the microwave for just 5 minutes and you will be ready to take on tea time this coming monsoon season.

What you will need: 1 Cup Gram Flour (Besan), 1/2 Cup Yogurt (Curd) thick and non-sweet, 1/4 cup Water, 1 Tsp White Sugar, 1 Tbsp Oil Olive Oil or any other, 1/10 Tsp Turmeric Powder, 1/4 Tsp Salt, 2 Green Chilies (Finely chopped), 1 Tsp Citric acid Salt, and 1 Tsp Ginger Fresh Paste. Serve up with fresh green coriander and mint chutney.

2. Healthy Samosa:

Samosa and healthy? You heard it right. This spin on everyone’s favourite snack will keep your taste buds happy and your weight too. You can paint yourself a picture of perfection where you are eating your golden cone-shaped samosas on the rainy days to come. All you need to do is get some soft potato filling inside the thin conical pastry and bake it in the microwave for just 10 minutes.

What you will need: For the outer layer- 1 Cup All-purpose flour / Maida, ½ cup Wheat flour, 3-4 Tbsp Shortening, Salt to taste, 1 Tsp Ajwain. For the stuffing- 2 Potatoes, 1 Onion, ½ Tsp Red chili powder, ¼ tsp Chat Masala, ¼ Tsp Cumin powder a pinch black salt, a pinch dry mango powder, a pinch turmeric powder, 1 tsp Oil, and Salt to taste.

3. Delicious Carrot Halwa:

Carrot halwa or Gajar halwa is a guilty pleasure sweet that everyone loves. But the task of making the dish from scratch might seem laborious to some. This version of carrot halwa is a fuss free and quick way, to getting the sweet dish you want while watching your weight. Put together the listed ingredients in a microwave safe bowl and within 10 minutes your taste buds and your friends will be thanking you.

What you will need: 2 cup grated carrots/gajar, ½ cup milk, 5 to 6 tablespoon sugar, ½ cup fresh khoya, 1 to 2 tablespoon Ghee, ½ tsp cardamom powder, 2 tbsp almond, pistachios or cashew slices, and 2 tbsp cream (optional). 

4. Oil–free Aloo Tikka Masala:

One for the days where you carve some spice and tang, this quick and easy aloo tikka masala is definitely your calling. A dish that has the perfect balance of spices it also comes in handy for a quick midnight snack on those binge movie watching weekends. Mix up the ingredients listed and give it just 20 minutes in the microwave and you are all set for a treat.

What you will need: 250 grams baby potatoes, ½ cup hung curd or thick curd, 3 tbsp low fat cream, 1 tbsp besan, 2 tsp ginger-garlic paste, ½ tsp ajwain/carom seeds, 1.5 to 2 tsp Kashmiri red chili powder, ½ tsp garam masala powder, 1 tsp chaat masala powder, 1 tsp coriander powder/dhania powder, ½ tsp Kasuri methi, ⅛ tsp turmeric, black salt or regular salt as required, and 3 tbsp oil (optional).

5. Easy Paneer Bhurji:

A recipe that is sure to become a go-to dinner dish, this easy to make paneer bhurji is the stuff yummy dreams are made of. An easy one to make on those tiring work days, this will surely be a much better option than your store bought meals. You will just need 5 minutes (you read it right), to make this mouth-watering dish by placing all the given ingredients in a microwave safe bowl and letting the machine work its magic.

What you will need: 200 gms paneer, 1 onion/pyaaz (finely chopped), 1 tomato (finely chopped), 1 or 2 green chillies (finely chopped), ¼ tsp ginger garlic paste, ¼ tsp turmeric powder, ½ tsp red chilly powder, ¼ tsp garam masala powder, ½ tsp cumin seeds, 1/2 tbsp oil, ghee, butter or white butter, salt as required, and a few coriander leaves for garnishing (optional).

These recipes made in the microwave are not only quick and easy but also very healthy. With the hectic schedules and the increasing culture of ‘eating-out’, home cooked food is taking a back seat. However when people hear ‘quick and easy dishes’, home cooking gets back into the game. A simple way to get delicious and healthy meals is, through the genius of the microwave. These microwave dishes are a clear way to save some time and have a hearty meal. So it’s time to stop the excuses and get a microwave or fix your old one as your best kitchen companion.