Some Exotic Winter Comfort Foods

With the chill beginning to set in keeping your body warm by eating the right foods is the need-of-the-hour

Since time immemorial food has been an eternal comforter – whenever we are hurt physically or emotionally we turn to food and this is one entity which never lets us down! 

So no small wonder that even when the temperature drops and you’re stuck in your house shivering and missing those social get-togethers and their warmth per se it is food which comes to your rescue! 

While soups and sizzlers are an absolute mandate to beat the chill there are other yummy delicacies also from the vegetarian segment which can be prepared quickly and more importantly which don’t require too many rare ingredients. 

Foodism has curated a few vegetarian winter comfort foods along with a list of Indian deserts and winter comfort foods too

So let’s get started!

Vegetarian Winter Comfort Delicacies

Arancini

These Italian Fried Risotto Balls with their gooey mozzarella centre are an item that should be on the bucket list of every foodie … albeit preparing them is a time-consuming exercise but trust us it’s worth all the effort!

Creamy Almond Mac n’ Cheese

This comfort food can be prepared in a jiffy – simply boil the veggies and blend them with almonds, miso paste, seasonings, and plant-based milk! Pour it over the pasta of your choice and voila your delicious and flavourful creamy almond mac n cheese is ready to be devoured! 

Creamy Chana Masala

Creamy Chana Masala is one of the most delicious and satiating delicacies! Comprising of – chickpeas; corn flour; butter; fresh cream; cumin seeds; onions; tomatoes; green chillies; ginger; garlic; salt; curry leaves; coriander; melon seeds; oil; and aamchur, chana and kashmiri chilli powder – this is not only popular in Asian households but is gradually gaining place in European kitchens too!

Creamy Mushroom Hand Pies

This appetizer cum single meal delicacy entails a creamy, garlicky mushroom filling sealed within a flaky puff pastry pie crust. Besides being portable (making them the perfect winter potluck item) they provide you with a wide scope of experimenting with a variety of fillings to suit the palate of your guests.

Green Bean Mushroom Casserole

A sure hit to cut the winter chill so long as you don’t overcook the beans (as they lose their soothing green colour and get brown and mushy when overcooked) and add more texture by topping the casserole with caramelized onions mixed with sesame seeds and chopped cashews. 

Green Thai Curry Bowls

Despite not lacking on the flavour front these Green Thai Curry Bowls are much lighter than the typical curry broth. The curry amalgamates the flavours of garlic, galangal (Thai ginger), lemongrass, kaffir lime, cilantro and cumin into a thick paste; this paste is then used to make a broth, usually with coconut milk, which is then served over rice with meat and vegetables.

Lasagna Soup with Cashew Cream

This one’s a winter favourite as it’s got multiple pluses - it’s quick, easy and affordable; comprises of staple ingredients like tomatoes and carrots; offers a rich tint with the cashew cream sauce; is replete with spices; and caters to your leaning for traditional lasagne. Moreover the cashews lend it body and protein making it more filling and it can be made in bulk quantities for those impromptu winter gatherings.

Lentil Shepherd’s Pie

Sautéed onions, garlic, herbs and tender lentils in tasty gravy with real "meaty" depth of flavour, all topped with creamy mashed potato which becomes golden and crispy perfection in the oven … now, doesn’t this translate into the ultimate comfort food of winter?

Mushroom and Herb Pasta

Replete with flavour and oh-so rich and creamy this is the best way to get in a serving of greens into your kids. Hearty, filling and satisfying this dish scores high on the comfort food category; besides satiating your creamy pasta cravings

Roasted Tomato Coconut Soup

This Roasted Tomato Coconut Soup recipe is incredibly easy to make and the ingredients like – tomatoes, onions, bell peppers, salt, olive oil, black pepper, scallions, thyme, parsley, paprika, garlic, coconut oil and brown sugar - go a long way in boosting your immunity quotient

Sweet Potato and Peanut Stew

Cinnamon, cumin, ginger, crushed red pepper flakes blended with a creamy peanut sauce make this a delicious and satiating protein-packed must-have for winter.  The antioxidant rich sweet potatoes, carrots, peas and spinach; with chickpeas added for protein ensure that you bring to the table a perfectly balanced meal.  It can be consumed as a standalone or atop steamed brown basmati rice.

Tortillas Enchilada Casserole

The perfect combination of savoury, smoky enchilada sauce and subtly sweet dressing this comfort food comes packed with healthy veggies and filling beans and is a hot favourite with the kid fraternity too!

Veggie Stew with Dumplings

This stew is lip-smacking and adding vegan butter in the end softens the flavour. A friendly word of counsel – the dumplings will expand

Winter Comfort Food Ideas from India

India has its own niche list of comfort foods for winter which includes – 

1. Urad Dal Khichdi
2. Undhiyu
3. Leelva Kachori
4. Tomato Garlic Rasam 
5. Sarson Ka Saag-Makke Di Roti
6. Khus Khus Doodh
7. Baingan ka Bharta
8. Adrak Lehsun Ki Sabzi
9. Thukpa
10. Gushtaba
11. Nihari
12. Rogan Josh
13. Carrot Poriyal
14. …And many more!

Winter Comfort Deserts

Can we forget to indulge our sweet tooth during winter…of course not! Besides munching on sweet dishes which up our body temperature like – gajak, til ke laddu, gond ke laddu et al; winter is also the perfect time to gorge on yummy hot deserts like – jalebi-doodh; moong ki dal ka halwa; raab; gajar ka halwa; gulab jamun; the famous laapsi from Gujarat et al

So maximize on the rich variety of winter veggies and your cooking skills picked up during the lockdown … and go ahead and start trying out the above items and floor your family with yummy delicacies which will not only warm their body but also the cockles of their heart!