Whether you're looking for healthy comfort food or trying to ward off the winter chills, a bowl of piping hot soup is almost always the remedy. All you need to do is throw in some veggies, meat, herbs and spices to prepare a delicious concoction in just a matter of a few minutes. The best part about soup is its versatility. Whether it's a broth-based soup or a thick and creamy one, they all taste equally divine! While we are familiar with classic soups such as sweet corn, tomato, manchow, hot and sour and so on, there is so much more to explore. Considering this, here we have curated a list of 8 traditional soups from across the country that you should know about and try. Take a look.
Also read: Beetroot Chicken Soup, Chicken Hot & Sour Soup And More: 7 Protein-Packed Chicken Soups For Winter
Here're 8 Traditional Soups From Across The Country:
1. Murgh Shorba
Shorba is derived from the Arabic word 'Shurbah', meaning soup. Murgh Shorba is a traditional chicken soup originating from North India. It is usually prepared with a combination of chicken pieces, ginger, garlic, onions, butter, coriander leaves and a host of flavourful masalas. You can serve butter garlic naan as a side dish with this shorba for a winter lunch. Click here for the recipe of Murgh Shorba.
2. Rasam
Rasam is a light South Indian traditional soup made with a base of tamarind juice and ingredients such as ripe tomatoes, spices and herbs. Originally, rasam was only made with tamarind and black pepper. This humble and comforting soup aids in digestion and is ideal for the winter season. It is usually served as an appetiser with steamed rice, puttu, dosa or idiyappam on the side. Click here for the recipe of Rasam.
3. Pappu Charu
Pappu charu is a simple lentil soup from Andhra cuisine. This fragrant soup is simmered with a variety of vegetables such as tomatoes, radish, shallots, pumpkins and sweet potatoes. Pappu charu is somewhat similar to sambar but is made without sambar powder and has a texture that is neither too thick nor too thin.
4.Thukpa
This soup has its roots in Tibet, but it is also the most popular soup in North East India. Thukpa is a combination of Tibetan-style noodles with vegetables or chicken stew in clear soup. It is somewhat spicy and also has several variations such as gyathuk, pathug, bakthu and thenthuk, which is made of flat noodles. Click here for the recipe of Thukpa.
5. Maharashtrian Tomato Saar
Tomato saar is a simple and mildly spiced tomato broth and is a staple in Maharashtrian households. It is made with a combination of ripe tomatoes, coconut and flavourful masalas. This soup is lightly spiced with curry leaves, cumin and dried red chillies which give it its smoky flavour.
6. Gahat Ka Shorba
Originating in the state of Himachal Pradesh, gahat ka shorba is a real pahadi treasure. This unique horse gram soup is prepared by slowly cooking gahat dal and then adding a mouth-watering seasoning to its stalk. This one-of-a-kind soup will give you comfort and authentic pahadi flavours, especially on a chilly winter night. Gahat ki dal is highly nutritious and also contains a good amount of dietary fibre. It is also known to help in removing kidney stones. Click here for the recipe of Gahat Ka Shorba.
7. Yakhni Soup
Kashmiri cuisine is famous for its unique method of making meat preparations. And yakhni soup is just one among many such preparations. This mutton soup is infused with whole spices and only requires a handful of ingredients to make. It not only tastes delicious but also helps in boosting the immune system. This soup will give you all the warmth to fight off the cold weather.
8. Makki Ki Raab
Raab is a Rajasthani soup typically made with bajra or makki (corn). This hearty and comforting soup is made with fresh vegetables and flavourful masalas. Makki ki raab has a rich flavour as it is simmered in an earthen pot. Make this delicious soup for a simple weeknight dinner and savour all its warmth and goodness.
Try out these delicious soups this winter and let us know how you liked them in the comment section below.
About Vaishali KapilaVaishali finds comfort in eating parathas and rajma chawal but is equally enthusiastic about exploring different cuisines. When she's not eating or baking, you can often find her curled up on the couch watching her favourite TV show - FRIENDS.