Simple and Delicious Recipes: Cooking with Minimal Ingredients

When life gives you a handful of ingredients, it's amazing how creative you can get. Below, I offer a mix of simple yet delicious recipes that require only a few steps and basic ingredients. Each recipe offers a unique taste and can become a cherished part of your daily dining experience.

A Tasty Gram Dosa Recipe

One of my go-to recipes, the gram dosa, is a wholesome and flavorful dish that can be enjoyed as a breakfast or a light meal. Only four main ingredients are needed - gram flour, onions, tomatoes, and green chillies, along with a pinch of salt.

Ingredients:

Gram flour Onions Tomatoes Green chillies Salt (Optional: Cumin or Ajwain seeds for better digestion)

Initially, finely chop the onions, green chillies, and tomatoes. Then, mix the chopped vegetables with the gram flour and just enough water to form a thick batter. Spread the mixture like a dosa on a hot skillet. If desired, you can add cumin or ajwain seeds for a digestive boost.

Preparation

Finely chop onions, green chillies, and tomatoes. Combine the chopped vegetables with gram flour and a bit of water to form a batter. Spread the batter on a hot skillet and place it. If you want, add cumin or ajwain seeds for flavor and easier digestion. Cook until brown spots appear on the dosa.

Enjoy your griddle-made gram dosa without any side chutney if you have salt and the above-mentioned vegetables. For added texture, you may choose to add capsicum and coriander leaves.

A Nutritious Vegetable Besan Omelet

Next, another tasty recipe is a vegetable besan omelet, often called a chilla. This dish, made with black gram, can be a perfect meal with minimal ingredients - oil for frying, salt, and optionally, pepper corns.

Ingredients:

Black gram Salt (Optional: Pepper corn)

Soak the black gram and grind it to make a batter. Add salt and, optionally, pepper corn. Fry it in oil until it is nicely golden brown.

Preparation

Soak black gram and grind it to make a batter. Add salt and pepper corns to taste. Fry the batter in oil until it turns golden brown.

This besan omelet can be served with chutney or sauce, and you can adjust the spices as per your liking.

Simple yet Flavorful Dishes

There are many other simple recipes you can make with even fewer ingredients.

Dal Made with Pink Lentils

Boil pink lentils with onions and diced tomatoes. Blend it to form a smooth dal. Though technically it requires more than three ingredients, it is quite delicious and edible without adding any spices.

Yogurt Rice with Salt and Chilli Powder

To prepare yogurt rice, simply mix yoghurt, salt, and chilli powder. It’s a refreshing and wholesome dish, perfect for hot summers. It is beneficial for people dealing with heat-related conditions such as boils, prickly heat, chicken pox, and for small children.

Mango Pickle and Yogurt Rice

Cut a raw mango into thin pieces and mix it with chilli powder and salt. This makes a perfect quick pickle for yoghurt rice. The pickle pairs well with the creamy texture of fresh yogurt, creating a delightful and cooling meal option.

Creative Caprese Salad

To surprise your guests, consider making a classic but simple Caprese Salad. Despite using only a few ingredients, it is a perfect dish for a chic presentation and a taste treat.

Ingredients:

Fresh ripe tomatoes Fresh mozzarella cheese fresh basil leaves

Preparation

Chop tomatoes and mozzarella into equal-sized rounds. Arrange the tomato and mozzarella slices alternately on a serving plate. Place a fresh basil leaf on top of each slice. Drizzle with extra virgin olive oil and balsamic vinegar if desired. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Serve immediately.

These simple recipes not only require minimal ingredients but also offer a burst of flavor in every bite. Experiment with different combinations and enjoy the joy of cooking with fewer ingredients!