With winter on the horizon in much of north India, your body naturally craves warmth and comfort, both physically and emotionally. The cold winter months often bring a sense of warmth indoors, where you may seek foods that provide both nourishment and a sense of well-being. The warmth of a bowl of curry, a hot dessert, or a freshly baked flatbread creates a sense of contentment and satisfaction, offering a temporary escape from the chill outside.
Rich, delicious dishes that are slow-cooked or packed with warming spices do more than just fill the stomach, they offer a form of emotional comfort too, says Chef Shaurya Veer Kapoor, Cafe Hawkers, New Delhi. “Winter meals that are made with seasonal ingredients help to regulate body temperature and also promote good health. They boost immunity and provide the necessary energy to face the cold,” he says.
Kapoor shares recipes of 5 Indian dishes that are perfect for bringing restaurant-style comfort to your home this winter. “These recipes combine seasonal ingredients with timeless flavours, creating the ultimate warm experience," he says.
- Sarson Ka Saag and Makki Ki Roti
A classic from Punjab, this hearty dish uses fresh mustard greens (sarson) and spinach cooked with spices, ginger, and garlic. Serve it with Makki ki Roti (corn flatbread) and a dollop of butter for warmth and energy on cold days.
- How to make:
- Boil mustard greens, spinach, and bathua (optional) with green chilies until soft.
- Blend the mixture to a smooth paste.
- In a pan, sauté ginger-garlic paste and onions, then add the blended greens along with spices.
- Add makki flour to thicken and cook until the desired consistency is achieved.
- Knead makki flour with warm water to make a soft dough.
- Roll the dough into discs and cook them on a hot tawa (griddle) until golden brown.
- Serve hot with a dollop of butter.
- Gajar Ka Halwa
This dessert is a winter favorite made from grated carrots, milk, sugar, and ghee, cooked slowly until it turns rich and creamy. Garnished with nuts, it’s a comforting, warm treat that’s perfect for dessert or as a snack.
How to make:
- Grate fresh carrots and sauté in ghee until soft.
- Add milk and cook until it reduces to a creamy consistency.
- Stir in sugar, cardamom, and nuts.
- Cook until thickened and aromatic.
- Rogan Josh
A famous Kashmiri curry made with tender pieces of lamb slow-cooked in a blend of spices, including fennel, ginger, and cloves. Rogan Josh is rich and aromatic, making it a great winter comfort food when paired with rice or naan.
How to make:
- Marinate lamb with yogurt, turmeric, and ginger-garlic paste for at least 30 minutes.
- Cook onions and tomatoes with Kashmiri spices like fennel and cloves until soft.
- Add marinated lamb and cook on low heat until tender.
- Simmer the curry until it thickens and serve hot.
- Pindi Chole
This Punjabi dish of chickpeas cooked with spices like cumin, coriander, and black cardamom has a deep flavor that’s perfect for winter. It’s often served with bhature or kulchas, making it a filling and satisfying meal.
How to make:
- Soak chickpeas overnight and boil until soft.
- In a pan, sauté ginger, garlic, onions, and tomatoes with cumin, coriander, and black cardamom.
- Add boiled chickpeas and cook until the gravy thickens.
- Serve with bhature or kulchas.
- Moong Dal Ka Halwa
A traditional dessert made from moong dal, ghee, milk, and sugar. This halwa is popular during winter as it’s rich in flavor and provides warmth. The slow-cooking process creates a decadent, melt-in-your-mouth texture.
How to make:
- Soak moong dal for a few hours and grind it into a coarse paste.
- Sauté the moong dal paste in ghee until it turns golden.
- Add milk and sugar, stirring continuously until the halwa thickens and becomes creamy.
- Garnish with nuts and serve warm.
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