Weekends are fun, time to unwind with your family and friends. In many families, it is a tradition of sorts to eat out over weekend nights or cook a sumptuous meal.
And not all weekend meals need to be calorie loaded. If you are planning to invite family or friends over some chai and for a leisurely banter, treat them to these two amazingly easy, low on calorie and mouth-watering snacks – whole-grain crackers and fried masala makhana.
While whole-grain crackers can be stored for a week, serve masala makhana fresh to derive its nutritional benefits.
Whole Grain Crackers
Ingredients:
1 cup whole wheat flour (atta)
½ cup oats (grounded)
2 tbsp white sesame seeds (roasted)
2-3 tbsp flax seeds
1½ tsp red chilli flakes
2-3 tsp oregano flakes
2-3 tbsp olive oil
1-2 tsp butter
1 cup water
Black salt as per flavour
Method:
Grind oats and roasted flax seeds into a fine powder.
Sieve the flour and add the grounded oats, flax seeds, sesame seeds, honey, chilli flakes, oregano flakes, oil and salt to it.
Mix the ingredients properly and knead the flour using little water into a soft, smooth dough.
Dust the rolling counter with some wheat flour and roll the dough into a slightly thin layer.
Cut out the crackers in desired shapes.
Preheat the oven and put the crackers on butter greased parchment papers and bake it at 180 degrees for 20 mins.
Store your crackers in an air tight container.
Serve these yummy crackers with a flavoured dip or hummus.
Nutritional Value:
These home-made crispy crackers are a must have snack item for any parties or gatherings. The abundance of fiber in these whole wheat crackers promote digestion, sesame seeds lower cholesterol and blood pressure while the seasonings add a distinct flavour to these delicious healthy crackers.
Fried Masala Makhana
Ingredients:
2 cups makhana
2-3 tbsp ghee
6-7 curry leaves
¼ cup cashew (sliced)
¼ cup almonds (sliced)
1-2 tbsp peri-peri chilli powder (for seasoning)
Salt as per taste
Method:
In a frying pan, add ghee and warm it.
Add curry leaves, sliced cashew, almonds and makhana to it and roast it for a few minutes, till it turns golden.
Sprinkle the makhana mixture with the seasoning and salt for the yummy flavour.
Serve hot and fresh.
Nutritional Benefit:
Makhana being low on cholesterol and fat is an incredible snack to satiate those hunger pangs on a lazy evening, whereas curry leaves being a rich source of fiber promotes digestion. Additionally, the presence of flavonoids in makhana prevents inflammation and ageing. Having a low glycaemic index, this snack is also highly commended for people suffering from diabetes or for those on weight loss regimen.
