Nutrition Month: Guilt-Free Dahi Bhalla Recipe

Nutritionists often say that it's not about dieting but about leading a healthy lifestyle. And obviously, to develop a healthy lifestyle it's important to eat healthy nutritious food. 
"Body demands for nutrition and our taste buds crave well-seasoned scrumptious delicious food, says nutritionist and foodie Shiimpy Matharu. 

Matharu believes that food should keep your gut happy and your cravings satisfied. She contradicts with the fact that healthy food is tasteless, and says that she has been using her creative cooking skills and her knowledge in food science to create dishes that are lip - smacking yet nutritious and healthy. 

One such ‘tasty bhi and health bhi’ guilt-free recipe shared by Matharu is our very own brown bread dahi bhalla. 

Originally, dahi bhalla is a popular street food in India. It's a snack prepared by soaking the deep fried lentil dumplings (vadas) in thick seasoned yogurt and topped with flavorful chutneys, pomegranate arils, and sev. 

Matharu, however, gave a twist to this recipe to made it a healthy snack. 

Brown bread dahi bhalla recipe

Ingredients:

• 3 brown breads (without slices)
•  50 gms mashed paneer
• Few raisins & cashew
• Chia seeds
• Coriander leaves
• Red chilli powder 
• Black pepper powder
• Salt to taste
• Imli paste or chutney
• Green chutney (dhaniya)
• Beaten curd (Dahi) 

Procedure:

1. Mix the mashed paneer with salt, red chilli powder, black pepper powder, chia seeds, raisins, kaju and coriander leaves. 
2. Take 1 slice of bread, wet the bread slightly and press it gently with fingers. Put the above filling and lock it to make a ball.
3. Brush these balls with olive oil and shallow fry on non-stick pan. 
4. After it's done, place the balls on a plate, pour dahi, green chutney and imli chutney and garnish with pomegranate & grated carrot.

This dahi bhalla isn't fried but roasted. It can be cooked and served spontaneously. This dish takes just 15-20 minutes of preparation time. 

According to Matharu, this dish is filling yet light as it's made from whole wheat brown bread and is gut-friendly as it's main ingredient is curd. 

She further says that curd is a probiotic and a super healthy food for the gut. 

Curd is an excellent source of calcium and protein. It helps to keep our system cool. It aids in digestion and keeps gut healthy. Curd also helps control bad cholesterol, lose weight and improves immunity. Curd not only keeps bones and teeth strong but also gives a healthy and radiant skin. 

The cashews are rich in monounsaturated fats and polyunsaturated fats and good for heart. They are a healthy snack for those diagnosed with Diabetics. Dietary intakes of cashew and other foods rich in magnesium helps to regulate blood pressure.

Raisins are packed with energy and rich in fiber, vitamins, and minerals. 

Paneer is a rich source of protein, and protects one from numbered diseases as well. 

Coriander (kothmir, dhania) : The antioxidants vitamin A, vitamin C and the quercetin present in coriander works towards strengthening our immune system. Coriander is a fairly good source of iron and folate – the two nutrients which help in the production and maintenance of red blood cells in our body. It is good for reducing cholesterol and good for diabetics. 

Matharu says the dish is diabetic-friendly. She further says that food is all about experimenting with nutrients.