Dinner is probably the meal I think about the least during a busy day. By the time evening comes, you are tired, everyone is hungry, and then comes the usual question: “Aaj dinner mein kya banega?”
Ordering food is easy, but doing that every other day can get expensive. And honestly, sometimes you just want the taste of food made at home. The good thing is that you do not need to make anything complicated. There are plenty of Indian dishes that can be made with the things already sitting in your kitchen.
Here are 10 easy Indian dinner ideas for those evenings when you want something homemade without spending the whole night cooking.
1. Dal Tadka with Roti
When I am out of ideas dal is always my go to food. I like to use moong dal or masoor dal whatever type my family usually eats. Once the dal is cooked I add a bit of tadka with cumin and garlic and chilli. I make some rotis while the dal is cooking. That is it. If I have some onions or cucumber I add those too. This meal is really simple. After a long day simple food is exactly what I want.
2. Paneer Bhurji
Paneer bhurji is a dish that I can make without thought. If I have a packet of paneer in the fridge then I am already halfway done. I crumble the paneer. Cook it with some onion and tomato and green chilli and the basic spices that I normally use for paneer bhurji. I like to have paneer bhurji with roti or paratha. If I have some leftover rotis I can even make some paneer rolls for dinner, with the paneer bhurji.
3. Vegetable Khichdi
Some nights you just want to make something easy. Khichdi is great for those nights. You put rice and dal in one pot then add some vegetables like peas or carrots or beans or spinach. Let Khichdi cook for a while. You can add a spice to Khichdi if you want.. You can keep Khichdi simple. Add a spoonful of ghee to Khichdi. Have some curd on the side. Khichdi is even better that way.. The best thing, about making Khichdi is that there are not a lot of dishes to clean up afterwards.
4. Vegetable Pulao with Raita
If you have some vegetables sitting in the fridge pulao is a way to use them up. You don't need ten kinds of vegetables. Even peas, carrots and beans are enough. Cook them with rice, cumin and a few whole spices. While the rice is cooking, mix some curd with chopped cucumber and a little salt, for a raita. That is much all you need.
5. Aloo Gobi with Roti
Aloo gobi is a dish that you can prepare without putting too much thought into it. You probably already have potatoes and cauliflower in your kitchen so you do not have to go out and buy anything for aloo gobi. To make gobi you just cook the potatoes and cauliflower with some onion, tomato, turmeric, chilli and the spices that you usually use at home for cooking aloo gobi. Let the potatoes and cauliflower cook until the potatoes are soft and the cauliflower is nicely coated with the masala for the aloo gobi. You can make some hot rotis to go with the aloo gobi and that is it you have dinner ready. If you have some curd, in the fridge you can serve a curd with the aloo gobi.
6. Moong Dal Chilla
Not every dinner needs to be heavy. Moong dal chilla is a choice when you want something a little lighter. Soak the dal. Blend it into a batter. Add chopped onion, coriander, green chilli or grated carrot. Pour it onto a pan and cook both sides. Serve it with chutney or curd. You can change the filling depending on what you have, at home which is one reason I like this dish.
7. Vegetable Dalia
Dalia is something that people usually eat for breakfast. You can definitely have it for dinner too. It is really good for evenings when you want something that will fill you up without having to make a meal. To make Dalia you need to cook the wheat with some vegetables an onion, a tomato, some cumin and a few spices. You can make the Dalia soft and, like a porridge. You can keep it a little dry. Both ways are fine Dalia works either way.
8. Palak Paneer
Palak paneer feels like something you would get from a restaurant. Making it at home can be very easy. Sauté spinach, with onion, tomato, ginger, garlic and spices then stir in paneer. You do not have to create a sauce. Make it simple. Eat it with roti. If you have some spinach that's about to go bad this is a great way to use it.
9. Chana Masala with Rice
If you have boiled chickpeas ready, dinner becomes much easier. Cook them with onion, tomato, ginger, garlic, and spices until the gravy thickens. Serve the chana with plain rice or roti. Add some chopped onion and cucumber if you want something fresh alongside it. One useful trick is to boil extra chickpeas and keep them in the fridge. They can come in handy for another meal during the week.
10. Masala Oats
There are going to be nights when you just don't feel like making food. That happens. On those days masala oats can be a choice. Put in chopped onion, tomato, peas, carrots or any small amount of veggies you have. Put in some cumin, chili and a little garam masala. It takes a short time and is much more interesting, than plain oats.
Final Thoughts
Finding something to cook each night can get really boring. You don't have to come up with a recipe every day. Just having a few meals that your family likes can make cooking during the week easier.
Try these Indian dinner ideas mix them up based on what you already have, in your kitchen and don't stress too much about making every meal perfect.
Good homemade food is often the simplest food.
For more everyday food and home-living ideas, visit the LifeGracious blog.
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