10 quick dinner recipes for summer months that can save your LPG by 30%

The early arrival of summer and the sudden LPG crisis across the country has raised eyebrows. When it comes to summer cooking, there are two common challenges: rising temperatures in the kitchen and increased LPG usage. It is often seen that during summers people cook on a low flame so that the heat doesn't add to the discomfort, and that is how you end up spending higher fuel. One simple solution to this problem is to switch to quick, light meals that require less cooking time and minimal flame as well. One can do so, by choosing recipes that cook faster, use one pot, or rely on partially pre-cooked ingredients. This practice will significantly reduce LPG consumption, sometimes by as much as 30 percent. Here are 10 quick dinner recipes that are ideal for summer and help save cooking gas.

To make this, you need to cook 1 cup rice with 2.5 cups of water to make sticky rice and then serve it with sattu chokha, which is made by mixing 1/2 cup sattu, 2 tbsp mustard oil, salt, 2 green chillies, 1 tbsp coriander leaves, 1 tsp lemon juice, and 1 tsp achari masala. It is served with bharwa mirch ka achar on the side. (Images: istock and Instagram/bubbles_prabals)

For this, you just need to reheat the leftover rotis or pre-made rotis and apply ghee or butter, green chutney, and then place chopped onion, tomato, and grated paneer. Sprinkle paprika powder or podi masala. Roll and enjoy.

This is a South Indian staple and a gut-friendly summer dinner treat. Take 1 cup leftover rice and combine it with 2 cups of curd. Add a tempering of oil, mustard seeds, curry leaves, and green chillies. Mix well and add roasted peanuts and pomegranate seeds. Your cooling and digestion-friendly dinner is ready.

This is a protein-rich dinner treat, where you combine 1 cup besan with 1/2 cup curd and 1/2 cup water salt, and turmeric. Also, add chopped onions, tomatoes, coriander, and spices like red chilli powder and chaat masala. Spread it on a hot pan and cook for a few minutes on each side and enjoy it with mint chutney.

This also makes for a simple and filling dinner. Heat a pan, add 2 tbsp oil and sauté 1 cup mixed vegetables like carrots, beans, and onions. Then add roasted oats and water, and cook for a few minutes. Your dinner is ready with minimal gas usage.

To make this rice dish, you need 1 cup leftover rice. Heat a wok and make a tempering of 2 tbsp oil, 1 tsp mustard seeds, 2 tbsp peanuts, 1 sprig curry leaves, and 1 tsp turmeric, then toss the rice with fresh lemon juice. Your tangy and refreshing dinner is ready. Enjoy it with buttermilk on the side.

This is a high-protein dinner, where you can save a lot of LPG. Heat oil in a pan and toss 1 cup paneer cubes with 1 cup chopped bell peppers, 2 small onions, and mild spices like paprika powder, oregano and chilli flakes to taste for a few minutes. Serve with roti or enjoy it as a standalone meal.

This is a high-fiber, high-protein dinner, where you have to boil 1 cup sprouts and then combine them with 1 chopped cucumber, 1/2 tomato, 1 onion, and lemon juice. Add chaat masala or roasted cumin powder for flavour. Mix well and your dinner is ready.

For this protein-rich dinner meal, soak 1 cup dhuli moong overnight and blend it with 1 tsp ginger, 1 tbsp garlic, and 1 green chilli. Add salt and pepper and pour on a preheated tawa to form a cheela and cook with ghee or oil. Serve hot with coriander chutney and salad on the side.

This is one of the most popular comforting meals. To make it you need to combine 1 cup rice, 1/2 cup moong dal, salt, turmeric powder, 1 cup mixed veggies (carrot, capsicum, peas, and gobhi) and water and pressure cook for 2 whistles. Add a tempering of ghee and cumin seeds and enjoy with pickle and curd on the side.

Images Courtesy: istock