Winter – the season of misty mornings, cosiness, and the warmth of togetherness. And the only thing that can make it better is the hearty Indian food!
A steaming cup of Masala Chai with a plate of Onion Pakoda is pure joy in every sip and bite. The luscious Gosht Rogan Josh hits all the tasty notes during the colder months.
So, keep reading because we have got some mouthwatering winter dishes coming your way.
The Best Winter Foods
Rajma Chawal
If warmth, nostalgia and peace came together on a plate, they would taste just like Rajma Chawal. But no, it is far more than mere comfort food. It is the flavour of home, a familiar taste that soothes your spirit and fills you with happiness.
Kidney beans or rajma, are gently simmered in a robust curry enriched with layers of aromatic spices. Especially in the colder months, combining this scrumptious curry with hot rice (chawal) offers a heartwarming dining experience.
It not only satisfies your hunger but also keeps you energised. A quintessential food in many North Indian homes, this dish has earned its place as a beloved classic for all the right reasons.
Milagu Rasam
A bowl of Milagu Rasam is South India’s tried-and-true cure for winter woes, bringing tangy, peppery kick and medicinal magic to the table.
When you are feeling under the weather, milagu rasam is the perfect food. It is light on the stomach and works wonders for fighting a cold.
This savoury broth is cooked with a blend of coriander, cumin and a good amount of crushed peppercorns for that tantalising spice. On those chilly days, it feels like a hug that melts away the cold.
Relish this rasam as a great starter or turn it into that popular Rasam Sadham by pairing it with soft, fluffy rice. It is the kind of superfood you will look forward to having every day.
Sarson Ka Saag
During the colder months, Sarson Ka Saag’s aroma, smooth texture and rich, deep flavours are the perfect remedy to the chill.
Mustard greens, spinach and bathua (chenopodium leaves) come together in a slow-cooked creation, mixing spices for a dish that is both creamy and earthy. This traditional Punjabi delicacy pairs perfectly with a fresh, hot Makki Ki Roti (corn flour flatbread).
An indulgent dollop of fresh white butter makes this dish the nourishing winter choice. The warmth it provides, along with its rich flavour, ensures it remains a constant favourite in homes.
If this dish has not made it to your plate yet, you are truly missing out on one of the best parts of winter.
Gosht Rogan Josh
One of Kashmir’s most iconic dishes, Rogan Josh is a succulent mutton curry. It uses spices like fennel, ginger and Kashmiri red chillies to be the bold and delectable masterpiece.
The rich and aromatic gravy of Rogan Josh is just what you need to heat up your senses on a cold day. The mutton will be so tender from the slow cooking process that it separates from the bone almost by itself.
With its eye-catching red colour, this curry provides an amazing feast through its intense taste and texture. Enjoy it with Naan, Chapatis or Basmati rice and trust us, your taste buds will forever be grateful.
Nihari
Nihari is a dish which traces its roots to the kitchens of the Mughal emperors. It was once a luxurious dish, particularly enjoyed by kings and nobility as a decadent breakfast.
The Arabic word ‘Nahar,’ meaning ‘morning,’ is the source of its name, pointing to its origin as a dish tied to early-day meals.
Tender meat like beef, lamb or chicken is cooked along with bone marrow in a lip-smacking spiced gravy. This dish is a celebration of complex flavours – spicy, hot and earthy that warm you through and through.
Nihari is best relished with Naan. It holds a special place in people’s hearts whether enjoyed first thing in the morning, as a midday treat at brunch or as a delicious dinner option.
Undhiyu
Undhiyu, the ultimate winter dish from Gujarat cuisine, is a one-pot delight that brings together the season’s finest vegetables.
It is prepared with a variety of vegetables, including sweet potatoes, green beans and purple yam and is made even better with the addition of crispy fenugreek muthiyas (dumplings).
Slowly cooked to allow the spices, coconut and sesame to fully infuse the dish, Undhiyu can completely sweep you off your feet with its flavours.
The dish gets its name from the word ‘undhu’ in Gujarati, which means ‘upside-down,’ a reference to the way it is traditionally prepared: in earthen pots that are buried in the ground and heated from above.
Paya
Goat trotters are the key ingredient of paya, a traditional winter soup that offers an abundance of flavour, depth and nourishment all in one bowl. The word ‘paya’ in Hindi translates to both ‘leg’ and ‘foot.’
The long, slow cooking process gives this paya soup its delectable, gelatinous broth, with the spicy taste of ginger, garlic, and cinnamon.
Not just a treat for your taste buds, Paya is loaded with health-boosting nutrients that support your immune system.
This soup can also help ease the discomfort of cold-induced joint pain. With each sip, the rich broth will heat you from the inside out, which feels wonderful for the cold.
Til Pitha
Come winter, the northeastern state of Assam celebrates with Til Pitha, a traditional snack made during the festival of Bihu.
These rice flour pancakes hide a deliciously sweet and nutty surprise of jaggery and sesame seeds, rolled up snugly and toasted lightly.
The texture of these Pithas is as unique as it is enjoyable. They have a crispy, crunchy exterior with a pleasing element of chew to keep things exciting. You see, Til Pitha has a way of becoming your favourite indulgence before you even realise it.
Having a healthy boost of calcium and iron from sesame seeds, this is a guilt-free treat for you to relish. Oh, another reason to try these pancakes is that they are gluten-free.
Til pitha with tea or coffee can help you recharge and put a smile on your face anytime.
Onion Pakoda
Hot, crispy onion pakodas are the best to munch on when it rains or the winter winds blow. These fritters are prepared by dipping thin onion slices in a flavourful gram flour batter. They are then deep-fried.
The result? A spicy, crunchy snack that is downright addictive. You can pair them with tangy green chutney or ketchup, the choice is yours!
Oh, you can’t have Pakodas without chai, can you? The combo is like a match made in snack heaven. Masala chai brewed with black tea, ginger, cardamom, cloves, and cinnamon, is not just a beverage. It is liquid gold in a cup.
Gajar Ka Halwa
Gajar Ka Halwa, or Carrot Halwa, is a heavenly dessert, especially popular during the winter season. The Halwa is the dessert dream made real, with grated carrots cooked slowly in a sweet, creamy concoction of milk, sugar, and ghee (clarified butter).
What can we say, it is absolute bliss in each and every bite! This dish’s melt-in-your-mouth consistency, coupled with a delicate sweetness that complements the nuttiness of almonds and cashews will definitely please your sweet tooth.
A hot serving of this dessert warms both your soul and your taste buds. Of course, you can always eat Carrot Halwa cold if that is how you prefer it.
Either way, this carrot dessert is so delicious that you will be eating it non-stop until there is nothing left. But hey, we honestly get it!
So, don’t wait any longer – grab your coat, head over to The Madras Diaries, the finest Indian restaurant in Amsterdam and Utrecht and beat the winter chill with the tastiest dishes around.
We promise you will only walk away from us with your heart full of joy and your belly full of good food. We will be waiting for you!
