Come winters and we find ourselves reaching to all things warm, greasy, and sugary. While those fried pakodas and hot momos do feel great and soothing on a chilled winter evening, constant dependence on these food items isn't the best for our health. It is necessary to maintain a balance, and the best part is that you don't need to look far and wide to do so. Because along with its many other rewards, the winter season also bestows us with a gamut of seasonal fruits and vegetables that are nutritious, healthy and provide us with the energy needed to function in the chilled weather. Indian cuisine boasts a variety of traditional winter dishes that range from sweet to savory. From the classic sarso ka saag to the decadent Gajar ka halwa and the oh-so-delicious palak paneer - these are some of the must-have classic winter recipes.
Here Are 7 Classic Winter Recipes You Need To Try Today
1. Sarsao ka saag:
Starting off the list with a true blue winter essential. Sarso ka saag is one of the many winter leafy greens that we love enjoying on a regular basis. And like many other green leafy vegetables, sarso ka saag has many health benefits like it is a rich source of anti-oxidants, it is rich in iron and dietary fibres, and it is also good for eyesight. Add dollops of white butter and enjoy a plateful of sarso ka saag with roti or parathas. Click here for the recipe.
2. Matar ka nimona:
Greens really do dominate our winter diet, don't they? But with a curry this easy and delicious, we are definitely not complaining. A green pea curry that screams winter like no other, Matar ka nimona is a flavourful curry from Uttar Pradesh that you should definitely try soon, especially if you like the taste of the refreshing winter green peas. Here is the recipe for you.
3. Gajar Ka Halwa:
Well, need we say anything about the decadent Gjar ka Halwa? It is warm, soft, and gooey, laden with ghee, and tastes just heavenly! A spoonful of this delicacy can warm up your heart and taste buds all the same, better yet; the natural sweetness of carrots also means that you will cut down on unnecessary sugar consumption. Here is how you can make this dessert at home.
(Also read: How To Make Masala Vegetable Khichdi: A Wholesome Winter Meal)
4. Bharwan Gobhi:
A perfectly rich and robust lunch recipe, the bharwan gobhi is a must-have in the winter season. Although cauliflower may be available year-round, it is essentially a winter vegetable and that's what makes the winter batch irresistible! If you are a gobhi fan, definitely add bharwa gobhi to your winter diet. Here is an easy recipe for you.
5. Palak Paneer:
Paneer is a stable vegetarian item come winter or summer, but its different variations keep us satiated with every passing season. For example, the green leafy vegetable Palak is in abundance during the winters and that makes preparing a delicious palak paneer even more necessary. Easy and quick to make, palak paneer requires not much effort or ingredients, in case you want an easy recipe to follow, here it is.
(Also read: Winter Special: Methi Chicken, Methi Pakoda, And 7 Other Methi Recipes To Try)
6. Methi paratha:
The versatility of methi never fail to impress us, from methi pakoda to methi chicken, you can add this winter leafy vegetable in almost all kinds of recipes. So the next time you have a bunch of methi lying around the house and don't know what to do with it, try making this scrumptious and easy breakfast recipe. Here is the recipe for you.
7. Til Gud Papad:
Both sesame and jaggery are considered to be warm foods that help us stay clear of cold and cough. Also, both the items are considered to help immunity building and are abundantly available during the winter. Make this easy dessert at home in a matter of minutes, store and munch these goodies from time to time to keep yourself protected from the winter cold. Click here for the recipe.
There you have it, try these healthy and homemade classic winter recipes. Which one did you like the most? Let us know in the comments below.