13+ Regional Indian Winter Recipes: Ingredients and Dishes That Celebrate and Define Desi Comfort

Farzana Mir - 19 Dec 2023

It's the season of chai ka pyala and embracing winter special dishes that define comfort. In every corner of India, winter brings with it a special food celebration. These recipes are not just about flavors, they are about memories, family time, the aroma of regional winter dishes coming through our kitchens and savoring winter in our style.

1. Bajra Raab and Dal Bati Churma (Rajasthani):

In Rajasthan, Bajra Raab emerges as a winter savior. This special millet soup, enriched with ghee and a melange of spices, is a Rajasthani tradition that not only warms the body but also carries the essence of the dessert winds.

16 easy and tasty bajra raab recipes by home cooks

16 homemade recipes for bajra raab from the biggest global cooking community! See recipes for Pearl Millet Drink / Bajra Raab, Bajra-Jowar Raab too.

Rajasthani Dal Bati Churma by Suhita Rana Chowdhury

47 easy and tasty dal bati churma recipes by home cooks

47 homemade recipes for dal bati churma from the biggest global cooking community! See recipes for Dal bati churma In oven, Dal bati churma too.

2. Thukpa and Nepali Style Soup (Nepali):

From the Himalayas comes Thukpa, a soul-warming soup that transcends borders. A blend of Indo-Tibetan and Nepali influences, Thukpa is a bowl of comfort with its wholesome broth, noodles, and an array of veggies or meats. Try Thukpa and some more Nepali Style soups for warmth in this winter.

Soft Tofu cubes Vegeteable Thukpa by Abanti Singh

27 easy and tasty thukpa recipes by home cooks

27 homemade recipes for thukpa from the biggest global cooking community! See recipes for Veg Thukpa Soup (my version) too.

8 easy and tasty nepali style soup recipes by home cooks

8 homemade recipes for nepali style soup from the biggest global cooking community! See recipes for Vegetable Thukpa or Tibetan Noodles Soup too.

3. Gushtaba and Kahwa (Kashmiri):

Kashmir, known for its breathtaking beauty, also gifts us Gushtaba. This aromatic meatball curry, cooked in a yogurt-based gravy, showcases exquisite flavors of Kashmir.

5 easy and tasty gushtaba recipes by home cooks

5 homemade recipes for gushtaba from the biggest global cooking community! See recipes for Mutton Gushtaba, Gushtaba, Gushtaba (meat balls) too.

Gushtaba by Bethica Das

Kahwa – a fragrant, spiced tea, is not just a beverage; it's an experience, invoking warmth of Kashmiri households.

Kashmiri Kahwa by Deepa Rupani

95 easy and tasty kahwa recipes by home cooks

95 homemade recipes for kahwa from the biggest global cooking community! See recipes for Kashmiri Kahwa 📌, Muscat - Omani Arabic Kahwa too.

5. Undhiyu and Kathiyawadi shaak (Gujarati):

As winter embraces Gujarat, Undhiyu graces the tables. This mixed vegetable curry, cooked with an array of winter produces, showcases the vibrant richness of the region.

72 easy and tasty undhiyu recipes by home cooks

72 homemade recipes for undhiyu from the biggest global cooking community! See recipes for Winter Delicacy 😍Undhiyu😋, Undhiyu, Rajwadi undhiyu too.

Gujarati Undhiyu by

Authentic kathiyawadi shaak recipes: Traditional flavors at home

68 homemade recipes for kathiyawadi shaak from the biggest global cooking community! See recipes for Dhabba Style Batata nu Shaak too.

Kathiyawadi Sev Tameta nu Shaak by Monika Jain

6. Nolen Gur (Bengali):

In Bengal, winter brings Nolen Gur, or date palm jaggery as some may call it. This sweet delight becomes the heart of various Bengali delicacy, infusing them with a unique sweetness that resembles the winter festivities of the region.

130 easy and tasty nolen gur recipes by home cooks

130 homemade recipes for nolen gur from the biggest global cooking community! See recipes for Nolen Gur Payesh / Date Palm Jaggery Rice Pudding too.

Nole Gurer payesh by Jibita khanna

7. Nimona (Uttar Pradesh):

The land of Uttar Pradesh brings Nimona. This curry, brimming with matar and winter spices, reflects the simplicity and richness of Uttar Pradesh's heritage.

69 easy and tasty nimona recipes by home cooks

69 homemade recipes for nimona from the biggest global cooking community! See recipes for Matar ka Nimona, Nimona without onion and garlic too.

Matar ka Nimona by Pallavi Porwal

8. Til Pitha (Assam):

In Assam, Til Pitha emerges as a winter delicacy. These sesame and jaggery-filled pithas not only signify the cultural richness of Assam but also offer a sweet escape into the warmth of Assamese homes.

21 easy and tasty til pitha recipes by home cooks

21 homemade recipes for til pitha from the biggest global cooking community! See recipes for Assamese till pitha, Ghila Til Pitha too.

9. Siddu and Teliya Mah (Himachali):

In Himachal, we discover Siddu – a steamed bread filled with a delectable mix of walnuts, raisins, and spices.

7 easy and tasty siddu recipes by home cooks

7 homemade recipes for siddu from the biggest global cooking community! See recipes for Himachali siddu, Siddu Walnuts stuffed steamed bread too.

Bethica Das mentioned about Teliya Mah

This is a very old and a traditional recipe from Himachal Pradesh that is almost lost. People outside the state are not very much aware of it. Teliya Mah is a yummy and a creamy lentil curry made of whole green gram, yogurt, milk, cream, etc. So a rather rich dish. It can be relished with either rice or chapattis.

Teliya Mah by Bethica Das

10. Sarson Da Saag (Punjabi):

Punjab, the land of the bhangra beat, introduces us to Sarson Da Saag. This iconic Punjabi breakfast is a celebration of mustard greens, simmered to perfection and paired with makki di roti.

333 easy and tasty sarson da saag recipes by home cooks

333 homemade recipes for sarson da saag from the biggest global cooking community! See recipes for Makki di Roti and Sarson da Saag too.

Sarson da saag and makai roti by Suchitra S(Radhika S)

11. Kerala Vegetable Stew (Kerala special):

Down south in Kerala, we savor the Vegetable Stew – a mild, coconut milk-based curry that perfectly complements the region's tropical climate.

52 easy and tasty kerala vegetable stew recipes by home cooks

52 homemade recipes for kerala vegetable stew from the biggest global cooking community! See recipes for Kerala style Vegetable stew and Appam too.

Pulissery and Thoran are also enjoyed for comfort in winter and embodies the diversity of Kerala's culinary offerings.

Moru curry by Suruchi (Dr. Ruchi Sharma)

37 easy and tasty pulissery recipes by home cooks

37 homemade recipes for pulissery from the biggest global cooking community! See recipes for Curd (Moru) Curry without coconut too.

12. Goan Fish and Prawn Curry (Goan):

In the sun-kissed beaches of Goa, the Goan Fish Curry takes center stage. This tangy, coconut-infused curry, along with Goan Prawn Curry, captures the coastal essence of Goa.

23 easy and tasty goan fish curry recipes by home cooks

23 homemade recipes for goan fish curry from the biggest global cooking community! See recipes for Goan Pomfret Curry too.

Goan Red fish curry Madhu Bindra

14 easy and tasty goan prawn curry recipes by home cooks

14 homemade recipes for goan prawn curry from the biggest global cooking community! See recipes for Goan Prawn Curry too.

13. Litti-Chokha (Bihari):

Bihar unfolds its charm with Litti-Chokha. The yummy litti paired with mashed vegetables (chokha) take us on a journey to the heart of Bihar.

Litti chokha by Deepa Haswani

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Each of these dishes tells a story of the region it comes from. Enjoy this virtual tour of India's winter wonders and share your favoriyes with us! 🍛🌍🔥