Meal Plan To Start The New Year With Good Health & Your Kitchen Sorted

Welcome to the Kidsstoppress Meal Planning community! It’s so good to see you.

If you have been struggling to get your meal times & kitchen woes sorted then, you’re in the right place.

Every week I will send you a meal plan with your meals planned. Along with our recipe of the week. You will get it before anyone else and of course, let’s not forget the grocery list I promised you. Use it well and you will notice the amount you end up saving and not double buying things.

The New Year has begun and we hope that this one is better than the last 2 years. I think we all need life to go back to what it was. I know I miss it. Here’s wishing everyone health & happiness in the new year.

Besides the measures we are all already taking to stay healthy when the winter gods bear down on us. eating seasonal is the current mantra and that’s there for a reason. When you eat what’s in season then you are sure that it’s fresh, hasn’t come out of cold storage and the longer produce sits on the shelves, the more nutrients and antioxidants they seem to lose. So eat seasonal fruits and vegetables and stay healthy.

So now that winter is finally here – read that as with nippy mornings and evenings and the haze of pollution hanging over our heads for those of us living in Delhi. Pollution has become an annual problem. But it seems pollution is on the rise in the rest of the country as well. For people in Delhi, anti-pollution masks and air purifiers running all day are part and parcel of our lives. A real sorry state of affairs!

Besides the measure to stay healthy when the weather starts changing, eating seasonal is the current mantra and that’s there for a reason. When you eat what’s in season then you are sure that it’s fresh, hasn’t come out of cold storage and the longer produce sits on the shelves, the more nutrients and antioxidants they seem to lose. So eat seasonal fruits and vegetables and stay healthy.

Recipe Of The Week

Before I share the meal plan for the week let me share our Recipe Of The Week.

This vegan sauce is a 5 ingredient wonder, not counting salt and pepper! It is super versatile! Use it as pasta sauce, in sandwiches and wraps, as a salad dressing or even just as a dip with crackers. One jar goes a long way!

You can make it as spicy and zesty as you like and add whatever herbs you prefer.

Ingredients

1 cup Cashew nuts * soaked overnight, rinsed and drained well
2 Red peppers
6-7 Garlic cloves
2 tbsp Extra virgin Olive Oil
1 tsp Dried Oregano
1/2 tsp Paprika You can use any variety. Add less or more according to your taste
Salt & pepper to taste

Method

Preheat your oven to 200C. Line a baking tray with parchment paper or aluminium foil.
Rub 1 tbsp olive oil all over the red peppers and garlic cloves. Place them on the baking tray and roast for 20-25 minutes. Make sure you turn the bell peppers a couple of times. When the skin is slightly charred, your peppers are ready.
Place them in a bowl and keep them covered for 5-10 minutes. The skin will be easy to peel off now. I normally just take a piece of kitchen towel paper and rub off the charred skin.
Combine the drained cashews, roasted bell peppers, garlic, 1 tbsp olive oil, paprika, oregano, salt and pepper in your blender or food processor. Blend till smooth.
You may want to add a splash of water if you find the consistency too thick. Taste and adjust for seasoning. Enjoy!

Notes

You can also soak the cashews in hot water for 2-3 hours. Rinse and drain them well before using.

Your Grocery List

Did You Know

Beetroot or chukundar is a vegetable that people either love or really dislike. The ruby red colour really shines through every food we add it to. Now beetroot can be eaten raw or cooked making it an easy source of nutrition.

Tip: Buy small and firm beetroots with a dark ruby colour. The vegetable should have a clean surface, bright leaves and an intact taproot. Avoid hairy taproots as they are indicative of the veggie being old and tough. If you are looking for recipes to try out using this winter vegetable, we have some right here.

Hack of the Week

Do you know how your hands get super smelly when you chop onions or crush garlic? My hands pick up smell very easily and whatever I have worked with or eaten tends to linger on. It’s actually quite disgusting after a point.

Here’s are a couple of hacks that work for me

Sprinkle some salt on your hands and give it a good rub. Wash your hands with soap and water after that.
Another one that works is rubbing your hands on your stainless steel tap or sink edge. Yes! This one works too and it is quicker. Try it out next time you want to get rid of smelly hands.

Meal Plan This Week

I also wanted to share this interesting article I found with you about 10 foods that will trend in 2022. The list included the following food

Hibiscus. …
Moringa. …
Spiced Cocktails. …
Herbal Teas. …
Fermented Foods. …
Selenium-rich foods. …
Potato Milk.
Sunflower seeds
Prebiotic-boosted beverages

What do you think you’re going to add to your food menu from here?

Recipes To Help You This Week

Dhokla Made 2 Ways – Khaman & Yellow Dhokla

Aloo Methi

Ingredients

2 Tbsp Mustard Oil
4-5 Green Chillies chopped
9-10 Garlic Cloves chopped
1/2 Kg Methi Leaves
2 Potatoes chopped
1 Tbsp Chilli Powder
1/2 Tbsp Turmeric Powder
Salt to taste

Method

In a kadhai heat the mustard oil
Put green chillies, garlic and potatoes cook till potatoes are soft
Add methi leaves and mix well to combine.
Add red chilli powder, turmeric and salt
Cook for 10-15 mins, stirring the vegetables from time to time.

Sonth Ladoo

I hope you enjoy cooking this week with everything all planned & sorted for you.

If you have suggestions about meal ideas you would like included in the meal plans, please do share that with us. Write to us at contribute@kidsstoppress.com. We look forward to hearing from you.

Parul Gupta

Food Editor – Kidsstoppress