Canadian winters are harsh. More so, they are hard to predict.
Especially, as an outsider from India, watching winters through the glass window and walking on the snow for the first time can get you floating in the air.
All those fleeting moments are good for carrying as blissful memories while flipping through your Canadian diaries in hindsight. However, to survive these winters in the long run, you need adequate preparation to face reality in the present.
The streets are dipped in snow while the chill of the windy air gives shivers all over your body. All you might require is a warm, comforting and indulgent home treat just like the ones from the heartlands of India.
Whether you are a working professional or a student who has migrated from your homeland, there is a plethora of Indian food options where you can easily find comfort and warmth.
Let’s take a deep dive into some of the heartening Indian dishes that are your ultimate companions for winter.
1. Rajma Chawal- The OG comfort couple
Nothing beats a warm hug on the coldest day- That’s your hot plate of Rajma Chawal.
A simple recipe where the strong red kidney beans are cooked in a tomato-onion gravy infused with all the flavorful spices like clove, cumin, turmeric and garam masala.
Poured over a cup of steamed fluffy rice, it gets to be your winter’s favorite recipe as each spoon of it digs deeper into your earthy soul craving for more. Not only is it filling, but it is also a protein powerhouse fueling and sustaining your energy on a long day.
At the end of the day, a little comfort is what matters and there it is Rajma Chawal.
2. Moong Dal Soup- Too good to be true
Lightness in being is its effervescence- Moong Dal Soup.
Are you one of those fitness enthusiasts who are panicking about weight gain considering the restrictive outdoor activities? Worry not, as Moong Dal Soup comes to your rescue.
It is a highly nutritious meal that perfectly fits into your fitness timetable and health goals and still keeps you light in weight.
An easy-to-prepare meal made from the star ingredient mixed with an appropriate amount of pepper, garlic and other significant spices is your go-to resource for a late winter evening.
Pair it with a small cup of rice, you’ve got yourself a treat to discover.
3. Gajar ka Halwa- Treat for that sweet tooth
Winters don’t always have to be salty and spicy.
It’s time to rethink with a sure shot of sweet and hot. One of the nation’s favorites, Gajar ka Halwa is set to rule your winter days with finely grated carrots mixed with milk and pure ghee.
Rich in taste and aroma, it is a delicious homemade recipe for winter group study sessions. Being nutty & chewy with a slight toss of dry fruits and nuts like cashews, it enables you to take that nostalgic ride way back to your mom’s kitchen.
Unable to cook at home? Most of the Indian Tiffen centers in Toronto provide Gajar ka Halwa during weekends and as a festive add-on.
With each bite, you are easily transported to all the family chats in India.
4. Kadhi Pakora- Tangy embrace
Spending lonely winter nights deserves a warm hug for your soul.
Get ready for the starry gaze with the warm, spicy, piquant, and comforting Kadi Pakora.
Crafted with the base of gram flour seamlessly blended with yoghurt, and then integrated with mustard seeds, turmeric, black pepper, and curry leaves, these fritters are drenched with goodness for life.
After a long day at work, your mood instantly elevated with these crunchy, crispy and yet delicious pakoras. If you are double-checking about getting your khadi at the right level of consistency, you can still get it right.
Knock on the doors of the nearby homemade food delivery services like Meal Maven who serve them into the menu of the winter specials.
Eat it raw or add it as an accompaniment to your rice or roti. Either way, there is no going back from WOW lip-smacking moments.
5. Undhiyu – Healthy winter spread
A solid warm blanket is offered on a plate.
It’s a Gujarat delicacy meant to bring back your Indian memories. Prepared using some seasonal vegetables like Methi Muthia, Surti Papdi and Purple Yum, it is a traditional steamed recipe slow cooked with aromatic spices and herbs.
If you want to break off the menu routine on a Sunday, Undhiyu is a must-try wholesome, nutritious and earthy food. When served alongside rice or your fluffy puri, it is a scrumptious recipe that is yet to become your Sunday routine.
If you are in Toronto, many of the Indian Tiffen centres offer Undhiyu a hard-to-resist menu that often comes in rotation every week, especially during the winters.
Take a break and get an indulgent, soul-satisfying feast every weekend.
Wrap Up
The winter season in Canada might be especially long and bitterly cold, but it also provides the ideal opportunity to take things more slowly, get warm, and indulge in the flavors of home.
When you eat these dishes, whether you are spooning warm dal over rice, delving into delicious Gajar Halwa, or ordering in from a dependable Indian Tiffin Service in Canada, you are reminded that feeling comfortable does not have to be a hard process.
Home-cooked Indian food delivery services like Meal Maven are here to keep your stomach full and your heart warm if you are looking for real, soul-soothing food that you can enjoy without having to step into the kitchen.
Do you require assistance in developing a winter meal plan that incorporates these dishes? Get in touch with Meal Maven and we will curate the perfect winter menu for you.
