01/7Easy soya recipes

Lockdown has limited our options for food, one of which is meat. We do have a substitute that will provide you with the same nutrition; a plant-based food that replaces meat but gives you a good experience. Yes! we are talking about Soya. Soya chunks are made up of defatted soy flour. Its protein content is equal to that of meat and is similar in texture which is why it is also known as the vegetarians' meat. Soya granules, soya chaap, soya chunks are all the types of soya that is available to you to choose from. Soya chunks are said to lower cholesterol, prevent heart diseases and help in weight loss. Confused about what to cook with these soya products? Have a look at these recipes and try then at home.

02/7Soya Cutlet

As far as snacks go, soya cutlet is light and fulfilling appetizer that is extremely delicious. Start with soaking 1 cup soya chunks in hot water, rinse and squeeze to remove excess water and grind them in a blender. Heat a pan on medium flame and add 1 tbsp oil. Once it is hot, add 1 tbsp chopped ginger and 1 tbsp chopped garlic. Saute for 2-3minutes. Then, add 3 green chillies and stir again. Add 1 finely chopped onion and saute. Add 1/2 tsp turmeric powder, 1 tsp coriander powder, 1 tsp chilli powder, 1 tsp garam masala powder, salt and mix well. Add the ground soya chunks and combine well. Transfer the mixture to a bowl and add finely chopped coriander leaves along with 2 boiled potatoes and salt. Mash the potatoes in the mixture and combine well. Using a tablespoon, scoop up the mixture and make round balls and flatten them in a round pattice. In a bowl, make a mixture of 3 tbsp cornflour and water. Prepare a plate with bread crumbs for coating. Dip the patties in the cornflour mixture and coat it properly. Then, coat the patties in the bread crumbs, deep fry in hot oil until golden brown. Serve hot with tomato sauce or green chutney.

03/7Soya Chunks Curry

This piping hot curry is delicious and will be a great choice for dinner. To prepare this recipe, soak 1 cup soya chunks, rinse and squeeze to remove excess water. Place a pressure cooker on medium heat. Add 1 tbsp oil, 1-inch cinnamon, 1/2 tsp peppercorns, 1 bay leaf and 1 tsp cumin seeds, and saute them. When the cumin is done sputtering, add 1/2 tbsp grated ginger, 1/2 tbsp minced garlic and 1 chopped onion. Add 2 pureed tomatoes with 1 tsp coriander powder, 1/2 tsp turmeric powder, 1 tsp Kashmiri red chilli powder, 1/2 tsp garam masala and 1 tsp salt. Stir and saute for 2 minutes. Add the soya chunks and 1/2 cup green peas. Saute. Add 1 1/2 cups of water and close the lid. Pressure cook on medium flame and turn off the heat after one whistle. Let the pressure release naturally.

04/7Soya Manchurian

If you love Manchurian, you must try this recipe. To start with, soak 1 cup soya chunks in 3 cups hot water, then rinse and squeeze them to remove excess water. Add and combine 1 tsp ginger-garlic paste along with 3 tbsp cornflour, 2 tbsp all-purpose flour, 1 tsp chilli powder and salt. Also, add a tbsp water if required. Next, deep fry in hot oil and stir occasionally until the soya chunks become crisp. Transfer the fried soya in a plate and keep aside. Place a kadhai on medium flame and heat 3 tsp oil and saute 2 clove garlic. Then, add 3 tbsp onion and 4 tbsp spring onions. Saute well. To give it the flavour, add 1 tbsp chilli sauce along with 1 tbsp vinegar, 1 tbsp soy sauce, 2 tbsp tomato sauce and salt to taste. On high flame high, mix all the ingredients well. Then add the fried soya chunks and mix well. Finally, as the dish is ready, garnish soya chunks Manchurian with chopped spring onions and serve hot.

05/7Soya Chaap Curry

Try this the flavoursome Punjabi soya chaap curry and you will fall in love with it. Take a pan and heat oil, add some crushed garlic and ginger and roast soya chaap sticks both the sides and keep aside. You can alternatedly remove the stick and chop the soya before the above step. Next, add oil and saute 1 tsp cumin and 1 bay leaf till cumin sputters. Then add 1 finely chopped onion and saute well. Further, add 1 tsp ginger-garlic paste and saute well. Add 1 1/2 cups of tomato pulp to it. Stir it continuously till the tomato pulp thickens up and releases oil. Next, add 1/2 tsp turmeric powder, 1 tsp Kashmiri red chilli powder, 1/2 tsp coriander powder, 1/4 tsp cumin powder and salt along with 1 cup water and 1/4 cup fresh cream. Stir continuously on low flame. Now, add the roasted soya chaap sticks into the gravy. Cover with a lid and cook for 15 minutes. Then, add 1/4 tsp garam masala 1/2 tsp crushed Kasuri methi and 2 tbsp finely chopped coriander leaves. Serve the hot soya chaap curry with rice or roti.

06/7Soya Pulao

This is an easy to make and simple recipe for a delicious meal. To make soya pulao, soak 1/2 cup soya chunks, once they are spongy, rinse them with water a few times. In another bowl, soak 1/2 cup rice. In a pressure cooker, add ghee or oil and in it, add 1/2 tsp cumin seeds, 1-2 bay leaf, 2-3 peppercorns, 1/2 cinnamon stick, and 2-3 cloves. Then, add 1 finely chopped onion and saute until onions turn translucent. Add the soya chunks, and 1 chopped potato and saute for a few minutes. Then, add soaked rice and saute. Pour 1 1/4 cups water. Cover the lid and cook on high flame. After the first whistle, turn the heat on low and cook for another 4-5 whistles, then turn the heat off. After minutes, release the steam and serve rice.

07/7Soya Bhurji

Make this easy and simple soya recipe with soya granules. Soak 3/4 cup soya granules, rinse and squeeze to remove excess water. Heat 1 tsp olive oil in a pan on medium flame. Add 1 tsp cumin seeds, 1 chopped green chilli, and saute. Then add, 1 chopped onion, 1 chopped capsicum and 1 chopped tomato along with 1/2 tsp turmeric powder, 1/2 tsp chilli powder, 1/2 tsp garam masala and salt to taste. Saute for a few minutes then add soaked soya granules to it along with 1/4 cup water. Cook until ready and serve this dish with roti or rice.