Winter is the season to officially remain in bed snuggled with a cozy blanket, wearing fluffy pyjamas and watching Christmas and holiday movies on repeat. And if someone gives you an equally cozy and comforting dish to eat or a hot drink while you are in bed, we are sure you would not get out of this position till there is an apocalypse.
Just to make things easier for you, we have curated a list of some warm, cozy and easy recipes that you cannot miss trying this winter season.
1. Hot Chocolate
You cannot talk about winters without the mention of hot chocolate. It is everything you need after a tiring day at work. While a lot of people prefer going to their favourite cafe to enjoy a cup of hot chocolate, you can always make one at home by using good quality cocoa powder and dark chocolate or you can buy a ready-to-make hot chocolate packets, if you are too lazy (we are not judging after all it is winter season!!)
You can also add a pinch of Tassyam cinnamon and nutmeg powder that will not only enhance the taste but also boost your immunity against cold.
2. Gajar Ka Halwa
What hot chocolate is to the west, Gajar ka Halwa is to the east. Every Indian waits for the winters to arrive to eat hot bowl of gajar halwa made with red carrots, lots of ghee, nuts, milk, spices like cardamom and sugar. Although the amount of ghee and sugar might overwhelm you, but our ancestors were smart enough to create a dish like this which contains little bit of everything that will keep us warm during winters and at the same time provide nutrition.
Carrots grow primarily during winters in India and have numerous health benefits- it contains Vitamin A, have high amounts of antioxidants, improves skin quality and has anti-cancer properties to name a few.
Milk contains Vitamin D, probiotics and immunoglobulin, all which support the immune system and help in fighting against viruses in winters. Get your stock of nuts here and use it to make some hot and delicious gajar halwa.
3. Sarso Ka Saag
Sarso ka saag is a Punjabi dish made using mustard saag, which is a green leafy vegetable. It is made only in winters and is said to keep the body warm. The ideal way to serve sarso ka saag is with makke ki roti (chapatis made with cornmeal) and white butter which is optional.
Sarso or mustard leaves are rich in antioxidants and iron which is good for consumption if you have issues related to hypertension. Makki or cornmeal is rich in Vitamins A,K and C, all of which is good for hair, skin, heart, brain and digestion. It is also a good option if you are off gluten.
4. Christmas Plum Cake
Plum cake is a rich fruit cake made especially during Christmas. Candied and/or dried fruits, nuts and strong spices like cinnamon and nutmeg, soaked in alcohol or orange juice, is an important part of this cake. It has a strong taste and aroma so a lot of people might not really like it, but those who do, absolutely love it.
Christmas is right around the corner and it is the best time to prep for this Christmas cake recipe.
5. Creamy Tomato Soup
There is just another comfort in having a hot bowl of soup in winters. While you can try making and experimenting with whatever flavours you like- chicken soup, hot and sour, sweet corn, thukpa, the classic tomato soup just hits different. You can use any basic soup recipe with the most easily available ingredients. Also, a quick tip- sprinkle a pinch of black pepper powder and all your cold and cough will be at bay this winters.
6. Gond Ke Ladoo
Gond ke Ladoo is a sweet treat made using edible gum (gond), whole wheat flour, nuts, seeds, jaggery and desi ghee. It is a very popular and wholesome sweet made in North India. These ladoos are like energy balls which rejuvenate the body, strengthen the bones, provide warmth, improves immunity and digestion. Because of the heat of gond, these ladoos are avoided during summers and made only for winters.
7. Methi Ke Pakode
Methi (fenugreek leaves), another green leafy vegetable grown only during winters. It is always advised to eat seasonal fruits and vegetables and how can you miss eating a veggie that has got so many health benefits?
Methi leaves have high amounts of antioxidants, low calorie count, controls diabetes and is good for heart and the digestive system.
8. Gobhi Ki Tahari
Tahari, tehri, tayari or tehari is a yellow rice dish made in Awadhi cuisine, similar to biryani or pulao. It is richly flavoured with spices like bay leaf, cloves, cumin and hing and in some versions vegetables like potatoes are also added. For winters, you can definitely make use of seasonal vegetables like carrots, radish, peas and cauliflower (gobhi)- it will turn out to be a tasty and fulfilling meal with a side of pickle, curd and papad.
Happy winters!! :)