Lunchbox, Tiffin, luncheon!
Be it in school or office, lunch is always looked forward to. Now, Lunch is not a mere food it is a story of culture and traditions packed in a Tupperware or steel utensils! No matter how cool meals you get during the lunch but one is always ready to dig into their friend’s or colleagues’ Tiffin.
As the principal everyday meal in dozens of countries around the globe, lunch holds a place of elemental cultural importance. In 9-to-5 environments, the midday meal isn’t always such a big deal, but making time for a wholesome lunch can pay off both mentally and physically.
What one culture eats as lunch (or any meals) may seem amazing to another. The same goes for what has consumed far back in history as food flavors, menu items and meal spans have evolved considerably over time.
Here is an interesting fact- The word Tiffin came in existence during British Raj, taken from the slang words “tiff”, a tot of diluted liquor/ afternoon tea, “tiffing” meaning to take little drink.
The importance of lunch is immense; here are just a few reasons why-
-Lunch boosts your blood sugar level in the middle of the day, helping you stay focused for the rest of the afternoon.
-It is a proven fact that people who don’t consume lunch tend to gain more weight because you end up overeating during dinner time to compensate for lunch.
-Just like coffee, lunch too is a great conversation starter; you will end up making lunch buddies.
-For kids, lunch is even more crucial because it provides vitamins and nutrients for the rest of the day. If they don’t get the supplements their bodies need, it can hamper their mental and physical developments.
If you are famished and wondering, how to plan a weekly lunch menu let us give you a hand here. Below recipes are easy to cook, healthy, extremely delicious and suits modern lifestyle-
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Punjabi Chole / Chickpeas Curry
A perfect dish that never goes out of style. The delectable chana needs only a few ingredients – cumin powder, ginger, coriander powder, carom powder and some mango powder, which is what gives the chana its tart and tangy punch.
It tastes great with chapati, rice, and puri! You are in for a delight!
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Dal Tadka
A Punjabi staple, Dal Tadka is a simple yet quintessential Indian dish with many varieties found in different regions of our country. Boiled first and then a spicy tempering is added to enhance the taste. You can prepare this for lunch with a combination of rice, chapati, and even paranthas.
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Gatte Ki Sabji
So this one if from the kitchens of Rajasthan.
Gram flour dumplings are cooked in this flavorsome curry. It has a sharp sour flavor that makes your lunch quite a treat packed with earthy texture.
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Kadhi
Kadhi is a yogurt-based gravy dish that is thickened with gram-flour and tempered and simmered with amazing Indian spices. Every region in India has a unique way of preparing Kadhi –Punjabi, Rajasthani & Maharashtrian as well.
Pack up some rice, some pickle and you are set!
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Aloo Matar/ Potato & Peas
A simple yet very awesomesauce recipe that is again simple at heart and at preparation. Again it surprisingly tastes great with rice, chapati and paranthas as well.
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Veg. Tadka Rice
A spicy mix of rice made with veggies and is ready under 30 minutes. It is the best rice to pack for kids and grown-ups. To make it a complete meal, pack it with raita and nothing can beat this terrific combo!
Do make these recipes for to have an amazing afternoon meal!
In an environment where everything is becoming exceedingly fast-paced, people neglect breaks, but breaks are not a waste of time. They are absolutely quintessential for one’s productivity and well-being.
Long Live Lunch!
Author Bio – Siddhi Panchal is a food blogger at CookingwithSiddhi and food aficionado who loves to cook. Her cooking skills cover a range of Indian and international cuisines. Her aim is to enable other food enthusiasts explore their love for food by helping them cook delectable dishes from India and around the world.