Health conscious people often have the dilemma of how to make the most of the seasonal fruit piled high in the market right now. Traditional fruit chaat freshly squeezed juices and zapped up smoothies are all nutritious, health boosting options but – let’s face it – that can get boring. So why not dream up a whole new range of vitamin packed extravaganzas to tantalize taste buds and have everyone asking for seconds?
Take those delightfully aromatic, crunchy apples and pears bursting with vitamins; slice them into rings and grill with contrastingly sharp cheddar cheese, a dusting of red hot chili powder or a dash of cinnamon.
Then there are mountains of oranges, lemons, limes and grapefruit: fresh juice yes – citrus is one of the best ways to get a daily dose of vitamins A,B,C and E plus minerals galore – but go further, venture into the culinary adventure by using citrus to perk up Biryani, Pilaus and anything else that sounds ‘right’.
Other meals with fruit include mutton and lemon chops with chilies, steaks marinated in orange juice, ginger, mustard and garlic, fish baked with grapefruit slices and roast chicken stuffed with oranges, whole black peppercorn and rice. A hard to beat breakfast surprise can consist of grilled orange and grapefruit segments (sprinkled with lemon juice and paprika) served on hot toast as a juicy way to start the day.
Iron and mineral rich pomegranates – with plenty of vitamins B,C,E and K – are more versatile than ‘juices’ would agree: Fresh pomegranate seeds add crunch to fruit salads, richness to fish and are great in beef, mutton or Chicken Korma. When liberally tossed into rice, salads and pastas of the sweet or savory kind, they can transform the ordinary into a healthy original.
Shed inhibitions, let imaginations soar: fruit is the answer!
B.Khan