It is possible to go salt-free, with a little imagination. A meal with alternatives to salt such as lemon juice, vinegar, tamarind, spices and herbs and vegetable purees is tasty. Here are some easy-to-prepare salt-free recipes.
Dahivada
Ingredients
Urad dal: 150 gm
Soya beans: 150 gm
Grated ginger: one-and-a-half tsp
Green chillies, minced: 2
Curd made out of skimmed milk: 300 gm
A handful of chopped coriander leaves
For green chutney
Coriander leaves, chopped: half cup
Mint leaves, chopped: quarter cup
Fresh groundnuts: 25 gm
Ginger and garlic paste: half tsp
Green chilli: 1
Cumin seeds: quarter tsp
For red chutney
Tamarind paste: half cup
Grated jaggery: half cup
Chopped raisins: 2 tbsp
Chopped dates: 2 tbsp
Powdered cumin seeds: 1 tsp
Method: Soak soya beans and urad dal overnight or for 6-7 hours. Drain water and grind into a paste. Mix grated ginger, green chilli, coriander leaves and form into vada shapes. Steam for 10-12 minutes. Grind green and red chutney ingredients into a fine paste. Put vadas in a serving dish. Add red chutney followed by curd and then green chutney. Sprinkle cumin seed powder and chilli powder. Garnish with chopped coriander leaves.
Fruit salad
Ingredients
Diced fruits of your choice (apples, bananas, chikoos, mangoes, grapes, strawberries): 2 cups
Tender coconut: 1, fresh
Honey to taste
Method: After drinking the coconut water, scoop out and grate the soft pulp in the nut. Mix fruits with honey and grated coconut. Serve chilled.
Shahi paneer
Ingredients:
Paneer (cut into cubes): 200 gm
Tomatoes pureed: 3
Cashewnut paste: two-and-a-half tsp
Turmeric powder: quarter tsp
Coriander powder: 1 tsp
Chilli powder: half tsp
Cumin seed powder: half tsp
Ginger-garlic paste: 1 tsp
A handful of chopped coriander leaves
Oil for cooking
Method: Heat oil in a pan and add ginger-garlic paste. When they turn soft, add tomatoes and spices and cook till dry. Add cashewnut paste and paneer. Stir for 1-2 minutes. Add half a cup of water and cook till thick. Garnish with coriander leaves. Serve hot with chapatti.
