Winter is season in which we all crave for something warm and soothing and comforting. Especially something that doesn’t take a lot of time and is full-filling. It is a season of hot cup of teas and coffees, soups and sweets along with pipping hot food.
Being honest, winters is our favorite season. And if you ask why, then the answer is wide varieties of fruits and vegetables that are available in winters. Fresh green leafy vegetables, and red and yellow and orange colored vegetables, all are easily available in winters, which makes it extra-special for us. We all are foodies and who doesn’t love good food. After all, good food is equal to good mood. And to uplift your mood during this season, we have made food choosing options easy for you.
There are “n” number of options that you can choose from, but in this article, you will see major recipes of millets and greens. Yes, millets are super nutritious and during winters, they provide you with extra warmth and comfort. On the other hand, greens are one of our top-listers. Green leafy vegetables not only add flavor to the food, but also gives you nutrition. Do you know, that by consuming leafy vegetables, you get major chunk of your daily required vitamin A.
Let’s get started with the recipes!!
Sweet Dishes to try this winter
1. Gajar halwa
Gajar halwa is one one the must-haves during winters. If you didn’t have it, you might be missing out on a lot of happiness and deliciousness. It is one of the dishes that gives you comfort on a cold winter day. And with the combination of carrots and milk, this halwa is way too nutritious to have. You can use stevia or erythritol to add sweetness to the halwa.
2. Peanut Chikki
Peanut chikki is another one of the most commonly prepared sweet dish during winters. It is made with peanuts and jaggery. Both of these ingredients are highly nutritious and the best part of this recipe is that it is really easy to make. You can even add more ingredients such as sesame seeds, other nuts, for instance almonds to the chikki as per your taste.
3. Makhana Dry fruit Panjiri
A sweet dish with the goodness of all the dry fruits? Why not! You need to definitely try this makhana dry fruit panjiri recipe. It is super easy to make and the it’s not only tasty but also immensely nutritious. You can also add more ingredients as per your choice and availability.
4. Ragi Malpua
Malpua is a sweet dish that can never disappoint you. This recipe of malpua is with a twist. It’s similar to your regular malpua, but more healthier. Ragi malpua is not only delicious but also full of nutrition. You need to try this recipe of malpua as soon as possible!
Savory recipes to try this winter
1. Green Dhokla
Green dhokla not only is appealing by its color, but it also tastes amazing. Dhokla is one of our favorites. It feels like comfort food and the best part is that it is super easy and super convenient to prepare. Be it as a snack, or a breakfast meal option, dhokla never really disappoints. This recipe of dhokla is with a twist, and by a twist, we not only mean healthy but also a tasty twist.
2. Vegetable ragi idli
Ragi idli coupled with coconut chutney makes the best breakfast which is the wholesome, delicious, and nutritious food needed for our body. It is indeed an excellent source of protein, calcium, potassium, iron, and dietary fiber. Ragi has so many health benefits like prevention of bone health, controlling sugar levels, increasing our hemoglobin levels.
3. Jowar Vegetable Chilla
Jowar vegetable chilla is that one recipe which you can make on a cold winter day and the one that’ll provide you warmth and comfort. It is not only highly nutritious but also delicious. You can serve it with mint-coriander chutney or tomato chutney, as per your taste and choice. This chilla is really wholesome and full-filling. You need to try this!
4. Ragi upma
Ragi upma is one of the most easiest and comforting recipes to make during winters. With goodness of ragi and vegetables, this recipe makes a wholesome combination. It is quick to make and will surely not disappoint you.
5. Ragi dosa
Ragi dosa is a healthy and delicious breakfast prepared with ragi millet or also known as finger millet. Do you know about the goodness of ragi? Well this millet is rich in proteins and calcium and even potassium. It is highly nutritious. You definitely need to try this recipe this winter! Serve it with coconut chutney and pipping-hot sambhar to satiate all your hunger pangs!
6. Shakarkandi Chaat
If you love sweet potatoes, then this recipe is especially curated for you. Shakarkandi chaat is the best snack option during winters. Those hot boiled sweet potatoes clubbed with vegetables and spices and drops of fresh lemon! Even just thinking about it gives us major cravings! Try this super easy recipe of shakarkandi chaat this winter.
7. Jowar palak appe
Jowar palak appe is a great option to choose for breakfast or a light snack meal. They are vegetarian and gluten-free and also super healthy and nutritious. They can be served with a bowl of piping hot sambar, chutney, and salad on the side for a fulfilling meal. And do you know that you can use the same batter to make a dosa as well? Check out this amazing recipe of jowar palak appe.
8. Thalipeeth
Thalipeeth is a spiced and delicious Maharashtrian flatbread which is made with multigrain flours. It makes for a healthy, tasty and nutritious breakfast or snack and is usually served with yogurt or pickle based on your taste and choice. Especially during winter, thalipeeth makes for a healthy and heart-warming food. It is made with 3-4 different flours of your choice.
9. Tomato spinach pancakes
Spinach Tomato Pancakes is not only a healthy but also a yummy savory dish. It can be either consumed as a part of nutritious breakfast or an evening snack to satiate you hunger. It does not take much time to prepare and also, to cook. You can serve Spinach Tomato Savory Pancakes with either mint coriander chutney or with tamarind-jaggery chutney and enjoy the wholesomeness of a nutritious snack.
10. Bajra khichdi
In winters, bajra khichdi provides not only warmth but also nutrition. Do you know that bajra is a millet that is rich in many nutrients? It is really healthy and is loaded with nutrients as well. Bajra is a good source of magnesium and potassium. It is also said to be heart healthy. This recipe is easy to make and really very comforting during cold weather. You can serve it with some curry or as I prefer to have it with kadhi. Also, can add your favorite vegetables to it.
11. Bathua raita
Bathua along with curd makes an unbeatable combination that you need to try for sure! This raita is one of the most commonly made raita at our homes. It adds amazing flavor to the food and the best part is, that it is not only tasty but also loaded with nutrition. Make this super nutritious raita as soon as possible.
12. Makki roti
Makki di roti or chapati or flatbread is one of the most comforting food items of winters. this roti goes best with sarso ka saag. As you might have heard the common phrase “sarson da saag te makki ki roti”. Many people are fond of this combination. And many even like to eat this combination with a piece of jaggery.
13. Sarson ka saag
Sarson da saag with makki di roti is must haves during this season. It is traditionally made in Punjab and consists of mustard leaves and spinach. You must have noticed that it is generally served with makki di roti in Northern India. The combination of saag and makki roti is unbeatable.
14. Chole Palak
Chole Palak is another version of the chole recipe. It’s prepared in North Indian style. It’s a very healthy recipe because of the combination of spinach and chickpeas/chole/ garbanzo beans. Try this super amazing recipe of chole with a nutritious twist!
Soups to try this winter
1. Lentil dal soup
Lentil Dal Soup is one of the staple food of India. This soup is prepared almost all parts of the country. Also, the variety and methods of preparation vary giving it different flavors. Dal soup is high in protein content and helps in maintaining the balance of dietary protein requirement.
2. Bajra Vegetable Soup
Bajra vegetable soup (Millet Soup), which is a traditional warm soup in the states of Rajasthan and Gujarat, and this soup is called Bajra Raab. Millet is gluten-free and full of many nutrients. It is also super easy to make. This bowl of hot soup is so filling and comforting, especially when the days get colder and darker.
3. Broccoli Soup
Broccoli soup is green colored soup along with the sauteed onions and carrot. It has a smooth and creamy texture, mouth-watering taste and fills your stomach. Soups are the best comfort foods in winter days. They give us warmth in cold winters.
4. Mushroom and onion soup
One of the best soups of all times is mushroom and onion soup! Who can possibly be go wrong with this soup? It is a perfect combination of not only healthy but also tasty. And this soup is not only full-filling, but also nutritious.
