Monsoon Recipes: Healthy Snack Recipes To Enjoy Amid Rains

With the arrival of monsoons, fritters, bhel, and other spicy snacks make the perfect partner to your cup of tea or coffee. These are quick and easy-to-prepare recipes using any vegetable of your choice, by dipping them in a batter of gram flour, water and spices and letting them fry in hot oil. But, too much oil and deep frying can be unhealthy. So, if you are wondering how to make your snack time healthier, worry no more, for we have got you covered.

Here are some easy and healthy snack recipes that you can try during the monsoon.

Tips To Make Fritters Healthier:

Coating Tips To Reduce Oil Absorption:

• Breading or coating snacks with breadcrumbs, flour, and other foods like oats or flattened rice can absorb more oil and inflate calories.
• To reduce oil absorption in fritters or snacks, make sure you coat them with a thin batter of all-purpose flour, rice flour, or corn flour.

Health Benefits Of Various Fritters:

• Corn, banana, apple, and zucchini fritters are not only delicious but also satisfying.
• These fritters provide a fulfilling balance of fat, protein, and carbohydrates.
• They are enjoyable for breakfast, lunch, or dinner, offering a versatile meal option.

Some Healthy Fritter Recipes:

1. Banana Fritters (By Chef Arokiya Doss)

Ingredients:

• 3 ripe bananas
• 1/2 cup rice flour
• 1/4 cup grated fresh coconut
• 1/4 cup jaggery (or brown sugar)
• 1/4 teaspoon cardamom powder
• A pinch of salt
• 1/2 cup water
• Oil for shallow frying

Method:

Prepare the Batter:

• In a bowl, mix rice flour, grated fresh coconut, jaggery, cardamom powder, and salt.
• Gradually add water to the dry ingredients, stirring until you get a smooth, thick batter.

Prepare the Bananas:

• Peel the bananas and cut them into thick slices or chunks.

Coat and Fry:

• Dip each banana slice into the batter, ensuring it is fully coated.
• Heat oil in a pan over medium heat.
• Shallow fry the coated banana slices until golden brown and crispy, turning occasionally for even cooking.

Serve:

• Remove the fritters from the pan and place them on a paper towel to drain excess oil.
• Serve warm with a sprinkle of additional grated coconut if desired.
• Image Source: Special Arrangement

 

2. Zucchini Fritters 

Ingredients:

• 2 medium zucchinis
• 1/2 cup rice flour
• 1/4 cup grated fresh coconut
• 1 green chilli, finely chopped
• 1 tablespoon chopped fresh coriander leaves
• 1/2 teaspoon mustard seeds
• 1/2 teaspoon cumin seeds
• 1/4 teaspoon turmeric powder
• 1 egg (optional for binding)
• Salt to taste
• Oil for shallow frying

Method of Preparation:

Prepare the Zucchini:

• Grate the zucchinis and place them in a colander. Sprinkle with salt and let sit for 10 minutes to draw out moisture.
• Squeeze out excess water from the grated zucchini using a clean kitchen towel.

Prepare the Batter:

• In a bowl, mix rice flour, grated fresh coconut, chopped green chilli, chopped coriander leaves, mustard seeds, cumin seeds, turmeric powder, and salt.
• Add the grated zucchini and egg (if using) to the dry ingredients, mixing until well combined.

Form and Fry:

• Heat oil in a pan over medium heat.
• Scoop spoonfuls of the zucchini mixture into the pan, flattening them slightly to form fritters.
• Shallow fry the fritters until golden brown and crispy on both sides, about 3-4 minutes per side.

Serve:

• Remove the fritters from the pan and place them on a paper towel to drain excess oil.
• Serve warm with a side of coconut chutney or a squeeze of lime juice.