Life gets busy, between studying, working, and travelling. If you are a student or a person who spends most of their time on the road, it may be difficult to find the time and means to prepare fresh meals. Often, on busy days, instant cooking options seem like the perfect remedy, but not all commercially prepared meals stand out as anything even close to healthy or satisfying. That's where premix recipes come in. Imagine getting the taste of home-cooked Indian food in just a couple of minutes sans hassle or fuss. A little preparation will have you coming up with your premixes that save time and bring comfort as if one were having home-cooked food. Here are six easy premix recipes you can prepare and use whenever you need something quick and appetizing.
Dosa Premix
Dosas form one of the staples in South Indian cuisine, but the preparation of its batter is pretty time-consuming. This premix will have crispy dosas ready in an instant. To prepare take Rice flour - 1 cup, Urad dal flour - ½ cup, Fenugreek powder - a pinch. Mix all the above-mentioned flours. Store it in an airtight container. To use, mix only the premix with water and add a pinch of salt. Allow to rest for 10-15 minutes prior to cooking. Can be used to make dosa, uttapam, or even idlis.
Poha Premix
Poha is a very light and nutritious breakfast item eaten all over India. To make an instant recipe, first make a premix of poha by roasting 1 cup of flattened rice with a handful of peanuts, curry leaves, mustard seeds, and turmeric powder in a pan until crispy. Then store it in a jar. Cook by sautéing onions, green chillies, and any vegetables you may wish to add, then add the premix and give a quick stir with water until poha is soft and fluffy.
Upma Premix
Upma is a filling, coarse preparation that can be made for breakfast or as a light course of food. To prepare a premix, dry roast 1 cup of semolina with a table spoon of ghee till golden in colour. Add to the mixture mustard seeds, urad dal, chana dal, curry leaves, and cashew nuts. Store the mixture in a jar. When needed, boil water, add the premix, and stir until it thickens to the desired consistency.
Khichdi Premix
Khichdi is a comfort food, and it can be cooked in a jiffy with the help of a premix. Mix 1 cup of rice with ½ cup of split yellow moong dal. Add to this turmeric powder, cumin seeds, and salt. Store it in a jar. To cook, just add the premix to boiling water, let it cook until soft and finish off with a dollop of ghee.
Pulao Premix
Pulao premix is indispensable for a tasteful rice dish. Mix 1 cup of basmati rice, along with whole spices like bay leaves, cinnamon, cloves, and cardamom. Add 1 tsp of salt and store. When ready for cooking, sauté chopped onions and vegetables, add this premix, and cook along with water till the rice is cooked.
Sambar Premix
It can be mixed with rice, idli, or dosa. To prepare a premix for sambar, roast a mixture of coriander seeds, cumin seeds, red chillies, and toor dal and grind them together. Store the powder in an airtight container. To cook, add the premix into boiling water with vegetables of your choice and let it simmer until the flavours are well combined.
With these premix recipes, one has the ease and convenience of instant cooking without sacrificing the taste and comfort of home-cooked Indian food. Be it a student leaving his home for higher studies or an executive traveller who is always on the move, these premixes will surely make life easier and meals tastier.