Published By: Sayan Paul

Sabzi of the Day - Raw Sabzis: Quick Tosses for a Crunchy Treat

Not in the mood for cooking today? Go for the crunch and flavors of raw sabzis.

Before cooking became a thing (archeological evidence suggests humans started cooking about 2 million years ago), our ancestors thrived on raw food. No, I am not saying you should follow the same and start eating everything raw. However, that was the original way of life. Things have changed, I agree, and it's not practical to go entirely raw in your diet. But do it once in a while, and there would be some amazing health benefits. As research has confirmed, raw vegetables are a lot more nutritious (as the heat during cooking strips their nutrition content), and boast a delectable crunch that you simply can't get enough of. And obviously, whether you are running out of time or are simply not in the mood for cooking, it could be a solution as well.

Well, instead of consuming sabzis absolutely raw, you can toss them with some ingredients to make them more delicious. For today's "Sabzi of the Day", we share a few recipes (not salads because those are obvious) that you can try.

Gajar Methi

Both gajar and methi are commonly available in our markets and can be made into a variety of dishes. However, when you aren't into elaborate cooking, go for this simple gajar methi recipe.

Ingredients: To prepare the dish, you need 2 medium-sized carrots, 1 cup methi (fenugreek), 1 teaspoon oil, 1 lemon, 1/2 teaspoon cumin powder, 1/2 teaspoon black pepper, 1/2 teaspoon sugar, and salt.

Method: First, wash the carrots, peel, and cut into small pieces. Wash the methi as well and chop.

Heat the oil in a saucepan over medium flame.

Now, add both carrots and methi to the pan, and mix well.

Add lemon juice, cumin powder, black pepper, sugar, and salt. Toss gently so that all the ingredients mix.

Once done, put it into a bowl and serve fresh.

 

(Credit: Moon)

Mushroom Bell Pepper Stir-Fry

If you are craving something unique and delicious, go for this recipe.

Ingredients: 1 cup sliced mushrooms (cremini or portobello), 1 cup sliced bell peppers, 1/2 cup chopped onions, ½ cup chopped tomatoes, 1/2 cup chopped carrots, 1 teaspoon olive oil, 1/4 teaspoon black pepper, 1/4 teaspoon turmeric powder, 1 teaspoon lemon juice, and salt.

Method: First, heat the oil in a saucepan over medium flame.

Add the mushrooms, onions, tomatoes, carrots, and bell peppers. Then, toss it for a few minutes (make sure it doesn't get overcooked).

Add salt, turmeric powder, lemon juice, and black pepper. Toss everything properly for about 20 seconds.

And voila! Your dish is ready to serve!

Zucchini Veggies

Zucchini has found its way into Indian kitchens, gaining enormous popularity. And although there are various recipes, it's good to eat raw as well.

Ingredients: 2 medium-sized zucchini, 1 cup grated carrots, 1/2 cup diced cucumber, 1/2 cup chopped tomatoes, 1/2 cup sliced red bell pepper, 1 teaspoon olive oil, 1/2 teaspoon black pepper, 1/2 teaspoon honey, 1/2 teaspoon cumin powder, 2 teaspoons lemon juice, and salt.

Method: As usual, heat the oil in a saucepan over medium flame.

Add all the vegetables (zucchini, carrots, cucumber, tomatoes, and red bell pepper), and toss for a few seconds.

In another bowl, mix lemon juice, salt, black pepper, cumin powder, and honey. Pour it over the vegetables.

Toss for a few more seconds so that everything mixes well.

Garnish with some roasted peanuts and serve.

See, opting for a raw diet doesn't mean compromising on flavors. So, go creative and enjoy the real taste of nature.