During the winter, the frosty days are best spent indulging in warm meals. At Rajthali, it is our mission to prepare the perfect dishes that will not only brighten your mood but also celebrate the festive season. This time, let us focus on some of the most popular winter warmers and comfort foods that are bound to bring warmth to your heart and your festivities.
- Gajar Ka Halwa (Carrot Pudding)
Any winter spent in India would surely seem incomplete without the deep-rooted tradition of Gajar Ka Halwa. This dessert, which is made with red winter carrots, ghee, milk, and a considerable quantity of sugar, is luscious, rich, creamy, and has strong flavours. Garnish such a texture with chopped almonds and cashews for added crunch. However, this dish is not merely dessert; it is a winter festival served in a bowl.
- Sarson Ka Saag and Makki Ki Roti
Coming from the northern part of the country, this soothing winter dish typically consists of mustard green leaves served with cornmeal flatbread in the form of a roti. Mustard green was slowly cooked with spinach and fenugreek leaves, seasoned with ghee. These firm yet delicious flavours complemented perfectly with rustic Makki Ki Roti. Add a spoonful of fresh butter to make it more appealing.
- Steamy Masala Chai
There’s nothing quite like the joy of having a hot cup of spiced chai while it’s winter outside the window. Masala chai, which contains cloves, cardamom, and cinnamon, and quickly gets hot. For a chilly morning, a cup of Masala chai is a nice choice to begin the day.
- Undhiya
Undhiya is a special winter dish and winters in Gujarat, India that inspires this provisioning type of cuisine. As a fusion of seasonal vegetables such as green beans, purple yams, baby potatoes and vegetables, accompanied by spices and fenugreek balls, undhiyu is traditionally made in a clay pot for superior taste – it is a classic winter meal fit for a family holiday dinner with family and friends.
- Khichdi – The All-Time Best Winter Dish
For any winter season comfort, there are various kinds of this dish — Masoor Dal Khichdi or Bajra Khichdi. Khichdi is light on the tummy and easy to digest so it is great for a cold winter evening, especially with pickle and papad, making it a warmer meal.
- Thukpa – Dishes from the region NT- Tibet
Thukpa is a Tibetan noodle soup that has gained popularity in Indian households across regions, especially the northeastern region. A soup of this kind consisting of broth with vegetables, and herbs, with or without chicken, makes for a warm, tasty dish for winter evenings. It’s full of flavour, healthy, and has the right level of satisfaction.
- Pongal
This easy, hearty and delightful dish consisting of rice and lentils is predominantly consumed in South India, particularly during the Pongal festival that falls in January. The dish is further enhanced with the use of ingredients such as black pepper, cumin and ghee. During winter, the best experience is to have it with coconut chutney or sambar.
- Shorbas – Indian soups in a new avatar
Shorbas, or Indian soups, are another winter staple. A tomato shorba or a dal shorba can be served as a starter or light main course. They are often made with lentils, herbs and spices and seem to keep winter on the hook. Everything about these Shorbas is perfect, especially in the winter.
- Deliciousness: Pinni and til Ladoos
With the onset of the festive season, in Indian culture kitchens are full of making pinni and til ladoos, which are remarkable Indian sweets. Pinnis are produced using wheat flour, ghee and jaggery, whereas sesame seed-based Til Ladoos are made with jaggery. These are good treats to have during winter as they have high nutritional value and are also great for festive family gatherings.
Bringing It All Together.
It is winter, which means comfort, happiness, togetherness, and a hearty and celebratory delight. Winter cuisine warms the body with its hearty and rich flavours, but more importantly, it brings families together in celebration. If you fancy a sweet delicacy or something comforting like Gajar Ka Halwa or if you are on the verge of indulging in the spicy warmth of Masala Chai, these will ensure that your taste buds are well catered to as winter approaches.
At Rajthali, it is our challenge to embrace the vastness of Indian flavours and bring to the world some of the most celebrated cuisines. Therefore, when planning your celebrations during the upcoming winter season, you should consider including some of these winter delicacies in your list.
