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8 Budget-Friendly and Kidney-Friendly Recipes

Eating healthy doesn’t have to be expensive, even if you’re following a kidney-friendly diet. These eight budget-friendly recipes are gentle on your kidneys and easy on your wallet. The following Budget-Friendly and Kidney-Friendly dishes are crafted to be low in sodium, potassium, and phosphorus, ensuring a nutritious meal without compromising on flavor.

8 Budget-Friendly and Kidney-Friendly Recipes

Vegetable Pulao

A fragrant one-pot rice dish packed with leached vegetables, making it perfect for a light, kidney-friendly meal.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup basmati rice
• 1 small carrot, diced
• 1/2 cup peas (leached)
• 1/2 cup green beans, chopped (leached)
• 1 small potato, diced
• 1 onion, sliced
• 1 tsp cumin seeds
• 1/2 tsp turmeric powder
• 1 bay leaf
• 1 cinnamon stick
• 2-3 cloves
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• Salt to taste

Instructions:

1. Wash rice thoroughly and soak for 15 minutes.
2. Heat oil in a pot and add cumin seeds, bay leaf, cinnamon, and cloves. Sauté for a few seconds, then remove spices from the oil.
3. Add sliced onions and sauté until golden. Stir in carrots, peas, green beans, and potatoes. Cook for 5 minutes.
4. Add soaked rice, turmeric powder, salt, and 2 cups of water. Bring to a boil, reduce heat, cover, and cook on low for 15-20 minutes until rice is fluffy.
5. Serve hot with raita.

Bottle Gourd (Lauki) Curry

A light, comforting curry that pairs perfectly with roti or rice.

Ingredients:

• 2 cups bottle gourd (lauki), peeled and chopped
• 1 onion, finely chopped
• 1 tomato, chopped
• 1 tsp ginger-garlic paste
• 1/2 tsp cumin seeds
• 1 tbsp mustard oil
• Salt to taste

Instructions:

1. Heat oil in a pan and add cumin seeds. Once they splutter, remove spices from oil.
2. Add ginger-garlic paste and sauté, then add onions and cook until golden. Stir in tomatoes and turmeric powder, cooking until tomatoes soften.
3. Add bottle gourd, mix well, and add a little water with salt.
4. Cover and cook on low for 15 minutes until tender.
5. Serve with roti or rice.

Tinda (Apple Gourd) Curry

A simple, wholesome dish featuring tender apple gourd cooked with spices.

Ingredients:

• 2 medium tinda (apple gourd), peeled and chopped
• 1 onion, finely chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tsp cumin seeds
• 1/2 tsp turmeric powder
• 1 tbsp mustard oil
• Salt to taste

Instructions:

1. Heat mustard oil in a pan, add cumin seeds. Once they splutter, remove spices from oil, then add garlic and onions, sautéing until golden.
2. Add tinda and sauté for 5 minutes. Stir in turmeric and salt.
3. Add a little water, cover, and cook on low heat for 10-15 minutes until tender.
4. Serve with roti or rice.

Cucumber Raita

A cooling side dish perfect for balancing spicy meals.

Ingredients:

• 1 cucumber, finely grated
• 1 cup plain low-fat curd
• 1/2 tsp cumin powder
• Fresh coriander for garnish

Instructions:

1. Grate cucumber and squeeze out excess water.
2. Mix grated cucumber with curd.
3. Add cumin powder and mix well.
4. Garnish with fresh coriander and serve chilled.

Grilled Chicken with Steamed Asparagus

A protein-packed dish that’s light and flavorful.

Ingredients:

• 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• Lemon wedges for serving

Instructions:

1. Preheat grill or grill pan to medium heat.
2. Rub chicken breasts with olive oil, garlic powder, salt, and pepper.
3. Grill for 6-7 minutes per side until cooked through.
4. Serve with lemon wedges.

Chicken Noodle Soup

A warm, comforting soup perfect for any time of day.

Ingredients:

• 1 small chicken breast (boneless and skinless)
• 2 cups water
• 1/2 cup whole wheat noodles
• 1 small onion, finely chopped
• 1 small carrot, sliced thinly (leached)
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 bay leaf
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 1 tbsp mustard oil

Instructions:

1. Boil chicken breast in water for 10-12 minutes until cooked. Remove, cool, and shred.
2. In the same pot, heat mustard oil. Sauté onion, carrot, and garlic for 4-5 minutes.
3. Pour in chicken water, add bay leaf, salt, and pepper. Simmer for 10 minutes.
4. Add noodles, cooking 7-10 minutes until tender.
5. Remove bay leaf before serving.

Suji Chilla

A savory pancake packed with veggies, perfect for breakfast or a light meal.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup suji (semolina)
• 1/4 cup water (adjust for batter)
• 1 small onion, finely chopped
• 1/4 cup capsicum, finely chopped
• 1/4 cup grated carrots (leached)
• 1/4 tsp turmeric powder
• 1/2 tsp red chili powder (optional)
• Salt to taste
• Mustard oil for cooking

Instructions:

1. In a bowl, mix suji, onion, capsicum, carrot, turmeric, chili powder, and salt.
2. Gradually add water to form a smooth, thick batter. Let sit for 10-15 minutes.
3. Heat oil in a pan. Pour a ladleful of batter, spreading it into a round shape.
4. Cook on medium heat for 2-3 minutes per side until golden.
5. Serve hot.

Baingan Bharta (Smoky Mashed Eggplant)

A smoky, flavorful dish that pairs beautifully with roti or rice.

Ingredients:

• 1 medium eggplant (baingan)
• 1 onion, chopped
• 1 tomato, chopped
• 1/4 tsp turmeric powder
• 1/2 tsp red chili powder
• Salt to taste
• 1 tsp mustard oil

Instructions:

1. Roast eggplant on an open flame or in the oven until skin is charred and soft. Cool and peel.
2. Mash roasted eggplant.
3. Heat oil in a pan, sauté onions until golden.
4. Add tomatoes, turmeric, chili powder, and salt. Cook until tomatoes soften.
5. Stir in mashed eggplant, cooking 5-7 minutes.
6. Serve with roti or rice.

These eight budget-friendly and kidney-friendly recipes prove that maintaining a kidney-healthy diet can be delicious and affordable. From comforting curries to light sides and hearty mains, these dishes ensure variety and satisfaction while being mindful of kidney health. Enjoy cooking these nutritious meals that cater to your health and taste buds!