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As the chill of winter sets in, North India transforms into a heaven of comforting and hearty dishes that warm not just the body but also the soul. The cuisine of this region is a beautiful blend of robust flavours, seasonal ingredients, and age-old traditions. Winter brings with it a bounty of fresh produce and the perfect excuse to indulge in rich, flavourful foods.
Here’s a delicious roundup of winter favourites from North India to tantalize your taste buds and keep you warm this season.
1. Makki ki Roti and Sarson ka Saag
No conversation about North Indian winter food is complete without this iconic duo. Made from maize flour, Makki ki Roti pairs perfectly with Sarson ka Saag, a mustard greens preparation slow-cooked with spinach, spices, and a dollop of desi ghee. Topped with homemade white butter, this rustic dish is as comforting as it gets.
In my childhood home, we had a big kitchen garden and the saag was made from freshly plucked sarson, methi, bathua and palak. It was accompanied by homemade white butter and a salad of radish, tomato ( freshly plucked), onion with green chillies and a dash of lemon juice. As I am remembering all this, I am salivating remembering the fantastic taste, which I have yet to see replicated. Ek to maan ke haath ka khana aur who bhi ek dum fresh harvest.
2. Gajar ka Halwa
A quintessential winter dessert, Gajar ka Halwa is made with red carrots, milk, sugar, and a generous amount of ghee. Cooked on low heat, it turns into a rich, fragrant pudding that's garnished with nuts and cardamom. Served warm, it's an indulgence that's hard to resist.
I remember the days when my children were young, I remember making gajar ka halwa every weekend for boys. 2 litres of buffalo milk and 2 kg of carrot was enough to make the week sweet. This being a healthy and delicious sweet was capable of shifting their focus from store-bought sweets.
When I was young, my mom used to make halwa on angithi and she used to keep it in her room by her bedside so that she could handle it from her bed. It used to serve two purposes - one easy manoeuvring of carrot - milk in kadhai and angithi served as a room heater.
3. Piping Hot Parathas
Stuffed parathas make for a hearty breakfast or dinner in the cold months. Whether it’s aloo (potato), gobhi (cauliflower), or mooli (radish), parathas are best enjoyed with a dollop of butter, tangy pickle, and a steaming cup of chai.
Yes, the stuffed paranthas in the sun were the ultimate sukh of a Sunday!
4. Underrated Star: Bajra Khichdi
A lesser-known gem, Bajra Khichdi is a comforting and nutritious winter dish. Made with pearl millet, lentils, and spices, it is best served with ghee, jaggery, or curd on the side. Packed with fibre and warmth, it's a must-try during winter.
This was not part of my childhood or even until a few years ago. I have become a fan of bajra khichadi after I had it in Rajasthani Thali almost a decade ago in Ahmedabad. Now it's permanently settled in my winter warmer foods.
5. Pinni
This traditional Punjabi winter sweet is an energy booster. Made with wheat flour, jaggery, nuts, and ghee, Pinnis are often enriched with edible gum (gond). Packed with nutrition, these laddoos are not just delicious but also help the body combat the cold.
I was making these gond laddus when I started my family, almost 4 decades ago.I learnt from my mom. Last year, just when the winter was setting in, I saw it in one of the applications ( Big Basket or Amazon) from a well-known brand and I ordered it. It was good to eat as far as taste is concerned but when I read the ingredients, I got the shock of my life. They were made in palm oil. So, now on, I am going to make them myself.
6. Kaali Dal and Butter Naan
Nothing beats the comfort of a warm bowl of Kaali Dal (black lentils cooked with cream and butter) paired with soft, flaky Butter Naan. It’s a winter favourite that showcases the richness of North Indian cuisine.
The kali dal which one gets to eat in the panjabi dhabas of Punjab is very different from what is served in city restaurants anywhere in India or the world. That authentic kali daal or maah ki dal is black urad dal which is made with a few seeds of rajma. It is a simple boiled dal with a tempering of onion, garlic and chillies. White butter is served separately. It is not as thick as is generally served. Since I have learnt the recipe for this dal from a small highway dhaba in Panjab, I now love this dal the way I make it.
7. Warm Beverages: Kanji and Masala Chai
Winters in North India call for traditional beverages that warm the heart. Kanji, made with fermented black carrots and mustard seeds, is tangy and aids digestion. On the other hand, a cup of Masala Chai spiced with ginger, cardamom, and cloves is perfect for combating the chill.
The kanji is generally made when the winters are almost going. The season of kanji is around Holi. And chai or masala chai is all time winter favourite of everyone, I guess.
8. Seasonal Treat: Chikki and Rewri
Made from jaggery and nuts or sesame seeds, Chikki and Rewri are crunchy snacks that make for delightful nibbles in winter. They’re not just treats but a reminder of the season’s festivities.
I have been in Ahmedabad for a decade now and I miss the kind of chikki and rewari I used to have in north India. We have these in sugar and jaggery flavours. I love jaggery. I was grown on Rohtak and Meerut ki rewari and chikki which was known by the name of gajak. Ahh, that melt-in-mouth rewari and gajak are not available in this part of the country. What we get here is of a different kind, not that they are not tasty but sometimes I crave my childhood taste. The Patanjali brand of rewari and gajak satisfies somewhat my tastebuds.
9. Nihari and Kulcha
For those who enjoy non-vegetarian dishes, Nihari is a slow-cooked mutton stew that’s perfect for cold mornings. Paired with soft, fluffy Kulchas, it’s a meal that’s deeply satisfying and steeped in Mughlai tradition.
10. Gond ka Halwa
Gond (edible gum) is widely used in North Indian households for its warming properties. Gond ka Halwa, made with roasted gond, wheat flour, milk, and nuts, is a rich dessert that’s also known to boost energy and immunity.
Very delicious and energy-dense food!
Why These Dishes Are Perfect for Winter
The secret to these winter dishes lies in their ingredients. Mustard greens, jaggery, ghee, millets, and nuts are all inherently warming, helping the body maintain its temperature during the colder months. Moreover, the spices used in North Indian cuisine, like ginger, garlic, and cloves, improve blood circulation and strengthen the immune system.
Cooking Tips for Winter
- Use seasonal produce like carrots, radishes, spinach, and mustard greens for the freshest flavours.
- Incorporate jaggery instead of sugar for a healthier, warming touch to desserts.
- Don’t shy away from ghee; it’s a natural insulator and enhances the taste of winter dishes.
This winter, let the rich and flavourful dishes of North India take centre stage on your dining table. From breakfast to dessert, these traditional recipes promise to make the season even more special. Which of these winter delicacies are you most excited to try? Let us know in the comments below!
Stay warm, stay satiated!
Neerja Bhatnagar
If you are looking for interesting and effective content on mental health, parenting, lifestyle, reviews etc, check my other blog - neerja's Musings
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