Meals are such an important part of life in India. And it inadvertently falls on the Mom, or even Dads when they do the cooking, to decide what to cook for dinner. Be it for everyday lunch and dinner or when you are having guests over, ‘what to cook today‘ has got to be the biggest challenge a homemaker faces.
Taking inspiration from the favorite meals all over India, here are some menu ideas for you to quickly refer to, and plan your own menu depending which ingredients you have at hand.
Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh Style Royal Thali
You can also save this One-Week sample meal plan for breakfast, lunch, dinner so you can plan your meals ahead.
Everyday Meals – Ideas for Daily Lunch, Dinner and Tiffin
Simple 1-2 Dish Vegetarian Indian Everyday Lunch Menus (with Roti)
2. Mixed Vegetable with Roti/Paratha
8. Bhindi (lady finger) Aloo with Roti
10. Bhindi do pyaza
11. Dahi wali bhindi, Roti
12. Matar paneer
15. Gobhi aloo
Lotus Stem Curry with or without potatoes is a favorite Sindhi Lunch
17. Lotus Stem + Aloo, Phulka
18. Sarson ka Saag + Makki ki Roti (Winter Punjabi Special)
19. Karela Masala/Aloo with Roti
20. Sindhi Besan Tikki Masala with Roti
21. Lauki Chana
22. Turai Chana
23. Aloo Parwal
Rassedar Aloo with Poori and Raita and Pickle
25. Pav Bhaji
26. Aloo + Shimla Mirch
27. Stuffed Shimla Mirch
28. Aloo + French Beans
29. French Beans in Coconut
30. Dal Dhokli
31. Undhiyu with Chapati
32. Litti Chokha with Mustard Chutney
33. Dal Bafla or Dal Litti (Dal made with 5 lentils – udad, moong, masoor, chana, tuvar)
34. Dal Baati Churma
35. Maharashtrian Puran Poli
36. Soyabean Matar
38. Bedmi/Dal Stuffed Poori with Aloo Curry
39. Gobhi Gajar Matar Sabzi
40. Dum Aloo with Chapati/Phulka
Simple 1-2 Dish Vegetarian Indian Everyday Dinner Menus (with Rice)
Tamil Style Tamarind Infused Spicy Potato Curry with Rice
1. Dal Tadka with Matar Pulao
2. Rajma Chawal
3. Chhole Chawal
4. Lemon rice
5. Curd Rice
6. Tomato Rice
7. Mix Vegetable Pulao
8. Maharashtrian Style Masala Bhat with Kadhi
9. Gujrati Style Vegetable Khichdi with Kadhi
10. Sindhi Kadhi with Rice
11. Sindhi Sai Bhaji with Bhuga Chawal
12. Idli Sambar/ Sambar Rice
13. Whole Masoor Dal, Rice, Aloo Gobhi fry
14. Whole Moong Dal, Rice, Aloo Baingan Fry
15. Sindhi Chana Dal, Pulao, Aloo Fry
16. Tamil Style Spicy Potato Curry with Rice
Full Spread Vegetarian Lunch Menu for Guests
When you have guests coming over for a special meal, you will want to combine the above two and make Roti as well as Rice and one dry sabzi to go with roti and one Curry or Dal with rice. Accompaniments like Salad, one Curd Dish and one Dessert will also be added to the menu.
Paneer Butter Masala, Mushroom Masala, Dal Tadka, Fryums, Salad with Roti/Chapati and Rice
All the accompaniments in the following menus can be interchanged depending upon what ingredients you have and your likes. You can also add more dishes to each menu depending upon your choice.
One thing to keep in mind when creating menus – Don’t repeat main ingredients. For e.g. if you have one milk item like ‘Raita’, don’t make ‘Kheer’. If you have
6. Lauki ke Kofte, Phulka, Green Moong Dal, Rice, Cucumber Raita, Shahi Tukda
7. Malai Kofta, Phulka/Paratha, Veg Pulao, Onion Tomato Raita, Fruit Custard
9. Punjabi Style Kadhi Pakoda, Roti, Bhindi Masala, Rice, Badam Halwa
10. Maharashtrian Style – Patodi Rassa, Roti, Rice, Fried Rice Papad, Koshimbir Chutney
11. Pindi Chhole with Stuffed Kulcha, Phirni
12. Street Style – Pav Bhaji and Pulao, Falooda Kulfi
13. Corn Capsicum Masala, Roti, Dal Fry, Jeera Rice, Gulab Jamun + Ice cream
Vegetarian Kerala Style Lunch – Avial, Cabbage Poriyal, Fried Potatoes, Chutney, Rice served on Banana Leaf
16. Kerala Style – Avial, Cabbage Poriyal, Fried Potato, Chutney with Rice. (Try to serve on banana leaves if possible)
17. Winter Punjabi Style – Sarson ka Saag, Makki ki Roti, Shaljam ka Bharta, Gajar ka Halwa
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