In today’s fast-paced world, it can be hard to find time for cooking from scratch. This is especially true when you’re trying to lose weight and find yourself craving something sweet or salty. We’ve all been there—you put in a long day at work or school, and suddenly the only thing that sounds appetizing is a bag of potato chips.
But there’s good news: You don’t have to give up your favorite indulgences in order to reach your health goals! With these simple cheat foods stashed away at home, you can enjoy an occasional treat without compromising your health.
Paneer Khurchan
If you are looking for a simple yet delicious meal to have at home on weekdays, Paneer Khurchan is perfect. This Punjabi food item is made with paneer (which is curdled milk) and spices and tastes absolutely amazing.
It is very easy to make and only takes about 20 minutes. You will need 1 tbsp of oil, 2 cups of paneer cubes, 1 tsp of ginger garlic paste and salt to taste. Heat the oil in a pan and add the ginger garlic paste. Add in your paneer cubes and mix well for about 3 minutes until all the ingredients are combined, then season with salt. Enjoy!
Tawa Khichdi
If you’re looking for low calorie Indian restaurant food, then this one’s for you. According to ChefOnline, “It is likely to crave a hefty Indian dinner after a long day when cooking dinner sounds like worse than serving time in prison.” Tawa Khichdi is a simple, delicious and healthy dish that can be made in minutes. All you need to do is bring in the ingredients and heat them up. There are also many variations of this dish, with some adding different ingredients such as coconut milk or spices to make it tastier. If you’re looking for something healthy but tasty, this recipe is definitely for you!
Malai Kofta
Malai kofta is a popular dish in North India. It is made with paneer and vegetables in a tomato-based gravy. The dumplings are fried and served with rice.
It’s important to note that this meal is high in fat, but it can be enjoyed occasionally as part of your cheat meals!
Indian Pizza with Pav Bhaji
You can make this pizza in a few simple steps, and as long as you have some leftover pav bhaji, it’s an easy way to get your cheat meal on at home.
To make the pizza, spread the dough onto your baking sheet. Then add the toppings: spread onion and tomato over the dough. Next up comes cheese (and if you’re feeling fancy, top that with some sautéed mushrooms). Now go ahead and pop it in the oven until everything is hot and melty—about 10 minutes should do it!
To eat: slice yourself off a piece of piping-hot Indian Pizza with Pav Bhaji. Then top with some fresh cilantro leaves for garnish (optional but delicious). Serve alongside another favorite cheat meal: butter naan breadsticks!
Idli Fry
Idli Fry is a popular Indian breakfast dish made from lentils and rice. It’s a great way to use up leftovers, especially if you have idlis that are going stale. Idli Fry is also pretty easy to make, and it’s healthy, so there’s no reason not to try it!
If you don’t like Idli Fry as much as I do, here are some other healthy ways to cheat at home:
Cheat meals are a great way to ease back into healthy eating. They give you the freedom to enjoy the foods you love while still sticking to your healthy meal plan.