During Ramadan, a lot of families like to eat a light meal of khichuri for their iftar or dinner when they have finished fasting for the day, especially in warmer and more humid weather. They find khichuri, which consists of rice and lentils, to be a comforting, easily digested and light meal to eat after a long day without food.
By pairing khichuri with the right side dishes, you will make your overall meal more balanced and refreshing.
In hot weather, it is best to use light, hydrating and nutritious side dishes that are good in taste but do not make the meal feel heavy.
Simple Salad With Cucumber And Yoghurt
A simple salad made from cucumbers and yoghurt is one of the best side dishes to serve with khichuri. Yoghurt will add a coolness to your stomach, and cucumbers will add some hydration to your body after you have been fasting all day.
To make this salad, all you need to do is combine plain yoghurt, diced cucumbers, roasted cumin powder to taste, and some fresh chopped mint leaves.
This refreshing salad will balance the heat of the khichuri, and it will help to improve your digestion.
Light Vegetable Bhaji
You can also enjoy a light sautéed veg bhaji as a healthy side option! Bottle gourd (lau), pumpkin, spinach and zucchini make great choices for this dish because they are all quite soft, bland and easy to digest. You can simply sauté these veggies with a little bit of cooking oil (add in some low-fat olive oil), garlic and turmeric (the garlic will give a great flavour), and use them as a side. In addition to adding a lot of fibre, these vegetables will also increase your nutrient intake, resulting in a more balanced meal without the addition of excess weight.
Baked Eggplant and Pumpkin are also great options if you are looking for something crispy but do not want to use deep-fried options. Simply coat slices of eggplant and pumpkin with a small amount of olive oil, turmeric, and chilli powder or cumin and bake until lightly browned. This will give you a crunchy texture with none of the extra grease that comes with fried foods, and will keep you feeling more comfortable throughout the hot summer days of Ramadan due to their lower fat content.
Light khichuri is a very healthy meal, but when paired with light/cooling accompaniments such as yoghurt salad, vegetable bhaji and baked vegetables, it will create a much more satisfying overall meal. These accompaniments provide many additional nutrients that contribute to your overall wellness, thus helping you retain your comfort level throughout the very warm summer days of Ramadan.
FAQs
1. Why is khichuri a good meal during Ramadan heat?
Khichuri is light, easy to digest, and provides both carbohydrates and protein, making it ideal after a long fast in hot weather.
2. What vegetables pair well with khichuri?
Vegetables like bottle gourd, pumpkin, spinach, eggplant, and zucchini work well because they are soft and easy on the stomach.
3. Should fried foods be avoided with khichuri in summer?
Yes, it’s better to limit deep-fried foods in extreme heat. Lighter options like baked vegetables or simple sautéed dishes are healthier and easier to digest.
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