With the current US-Iran conflict causing a nationwide shortage of LPG, kitchens across India are looking for ways to expand their gas supplies. Whether you’re running out of LPG or just want to prepare for a crisis, switching to low flame cooking is the smartest way to keep your kitchen running.
Here are 5 protein-packed Indian recipes that maximize flavor while minimizing LPG consumption:
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Poha cottage cheese
Curd Poha is the best food without cooking. A popular staple in Bihar and Uttar Pradesh, it is a light and cooling dish that requires absolutely no heat.
Recipe: Wash and drain the poha to soften it. Mix the softened poha with fresh cottage cheese, a pinch of salt and chopped green pepper. Add raw onions, tomatoes and roasted peanuts for a little crunch.
Sprout Chaat
Keep a ready batch of moong or chana sprouts in the fridge for a high protein meal ready in five minutes. It’s filling, healthy and requires no fuel.
Recipe: Mix the sprouts with finely chopped tomatoes, cucumbers, onions and chillies. Add a generous squeeze of lemon and sprinkle with salt, some roasted jeera powder and chaat masala.
Hack: Use raw sprouts to avoid the boiling process altogether.
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Masala Rolled Oats
Unlike traditional oats or rice, chopped oats soften almost instantly in hot water.
Recipe: Saute a handful of frozen peas and carrots for just two minutes. Add the water and spices, quickly bring to a boil, throw in the oatmeal and cover with a lid. Let it sit for 2-3 minutes off the flame to thicken.
Hack: Once the water boils, switch off the flame. The residual heat will complete the cooking.
Saute paneer and paprika
Paneer is an ideal protein for a crisis because it doesn’t need to be boiled or pressure-cooked; it just needs a quick burn.
Recipe: Toss the diced paneer and chopped capsicum into the hot pan with the base spices. Fry on high for 3-4 minutes and serve immediately.
Hack: Short-term high-temperature cooking (stir-frying) preserves the crispness of vegetables and uses a minimum of gas.
One Pot Vegetable Khichdi
Cook grains, proteins and vegetables together in a pressure cooker to create the most economical way to prepare a hot meal.
Recipe: Throw the rice, dal and all the vegetables into the cooker at once. One pressure cycle provides a complete, balanced meal for the whole family.
Hack: For dal-rice, use the “separators” inside the pressure cooker to cook the rice and dal at the same time, or pre-soak the rice and lentils for 30 minutes to cut the “whistling time” in half.
Read also | LPG crisis: Check how much a 14.2 kg cooking gas cylinder costs in your city
Professional tips to save more LPG:
- soak everything from rice to rajm: Soaking for just 30 minutes can reduce cooking time by up to 20%.
- Use the lid: Cooking in a covered pot traps heat and helps cook food faster.
- Have an electrical backup: If you have an induction hob or kettle, use it to boil water or milk to save gas for other items like rotis.
- Get innovation with a microwave oven and deep fryer.
LPG price increase
LPG cylinder prices in India have increased, making gas for both domestic and commercial cooking more expensive.
The price of a 14.2 kg gas cylinder for home cooking has been increased by ₹60, while the 19 kg commercial bottle became more expensive by ₹144 in major cities and states of the country.
This is the second hike in LPG rates in 11 months after a ₹50 in April 2025, according to multiple reports.
LPG prices for domestic and commercial use in cities
LPG cylinder prices in key cities
