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 Our Most Popular Winter Recipes

Spicy Winter Indian Recipes

Come winter and the palate yearns for hot and spicy Indian foods. All the better if it is crunchy! Whether it is a bowl of steaming rice with rasam, fluffy chapattis right off the tava, crispy pakodas, or a sumptuous paratha with tongue-tickling fillings, we tend to enjoy hot and pungent foods more in the winter than in the summer, perhaps in answer the taste buds’ craving! It could also be because the time spent in the kitchen is more pleasurable in the winters, without the sweat and grime that is so much a part of our hot Indian summer.

Hot foods with intense flavours and rich textures tend to give us a sense of well-being on cold winter days. We can feel the effect of good food cruise through our cells, warming the body and putting a content glow on the face! Just the thought of taking a break during work, curling our fingers around a piping hot cup of Masala Chai with a plate of crispies to munch on and a couple of good friends to chat with, is simply heart-warming.


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With the harsh winter weather, you are surely prone to the seasonal flu.  Suffering from running nose and congestion? Sip on some garlic rasam to sooth your throat. Rasam means "juice" in Tamil and Telegu. It can be made in different flavours using various ingredients. 

Pick up your shopping bags and head to the market. Load it with the best and brightest of the seasonal fruits and vegetables. Flawlessly green surti papadi, juicy carrots; bright and fresh sarson and of course, the season’s very special kand. Ditch your regular parathas and relish these Spicy Chawli Leaves and Spinach Stuffed Parathas for breakfast. Indian gooseberries (amla) are found abundantly during winter. Make a tongue tickling Spicy Amla Pickle which is a perfect accompaniment for your meal. 

Deep fry some spicy rice samosa packed with an Oriental flavor or make this delightful Calcutta chaat with tangy chutneys, topped with different spices. Roll together mashed potatoes with green peas and cheese together in whole wheat-maida roti and make this spicy roti roll. Toss in some leftover idli with crunchy onions, tangy tomatoes and peppy spice powders to make this amazing Tava idli.  Indulge in these unique snacks and delight your taste buds.

For dinner, Stir fry Noodles in Schezuan sauce, the colorful, crunchy vegetables in tangy sauce offers sheer excitement to the taste buds. Also, this fusion recipe Dalia Vegetable Risotto is not only colorful but, also a storehouse of nutrients like protein, vitamin A, vitamin C, iron as well as fibre.

Here are some recipes that are guaranteed to give you this magical experience! These recipes are perfect for the winterspicy, hot, crispy, and all that you could ask for.


Spicy Winter Indian Recipes



Does rice always have to be in the main course? No, it is such a versatile ingredient it can be used to make anything from crunchy and savoury starters to sweet and luscious dessert. Here is one such delectable starter, Spicy Rice Samosa, made of a plain flour dough packed with an Oriental flavoured rice filling. You will enjoy the crispy outer covering as much as you enjoy the soft and spicy filling. You can also try other recipes with rice like Rice and Cheese Balls and Rice Kheer
spicy potato and roti roll recipe | spicy aloo rolls | aloo green peas roti and cheese wrap | potato and peas frankie | with amazing 30 images. spicy potato and roti roll recipe is no regular frankie or roll recipe, everything about this potato and peas frankie is perfect, right from the crispiness to perky flavour of the potato rolls, to the soft and pliable rotis. If you have left over roti's this is definitely a go to recipe which will also save time. Transform leftover rotis to this delightful snack recipe. We have divided the method of preparing spicy potato and roti roll into 4-5 steps. To prepare roti for the roll, take whole wheat flour, plain flour, ghee and salt. Knead into a soft dough and roll into a roti, cover and keep aside. Next, to make potato rolls take mashed potatoes in a bowl, add mashed green peas, processed cheese, cornflour which will help binding all the ingredients together, add cornflour, garam masala, lemon juice and mix well. Divide and roll into a cylindrical shape, coat it in cornflour an deep-fry. Potato rolls for the frankie are ready. Further, we have made onion mixture by adding chili powder and dried mango powder to onions and mix well. Also, we have made masala water. Take dried mango powder, chilli powder, garam masala and add water, mix well and keep aside. To finally assemble the spicy potato and roti roll, place roti on a dry surface. Spread masala water evenly on roti, put onion mixture evenly over it. Place the fried roll, roll it up tightly and your aloo green peas roti and cheese wrap is ready! You can even give it to your kids as a tiffin treat or pack it for meal and roll to work!! Enjoy spicy potato and roti roll recipe | spicy aloo rolls | aloo green peas roti and cheese wrap | potato and peas frankie | with detailed step by step photos and video below.
Rich in zinc, calcium and protein, this lip-smacking Spicy Red Chana Subzi along with roti and curds will make a sumptuous and complete meal. This recipe makes use of the popular pav bhaji masala along with tomatoes, onions and other spice powders, to produce a rich flavour that tickles the taste buds.
spicy tomato soup recipe | Indian creamy tomato soup | roasted garlic tomato soup | with 30 amazing images. spicy tomato soup recipe | Indian creamy tomato soup | roasted garlic tomato soup is a vibrant orange-red coloured soup interestingly served in a brune bread. Learn how to make Indian creamy tomato soup. To make spicy tomato soup, heat the butter and olive oil in a deep non-stick pan, add the onions and sauté on a medium flame for 2 to 3 minutes. Add the tomatoes, carrot and sauté on a medium flame for 3 to 4 minutes. Add 3½ cups of water, mix well and cover with a lid and cook on a medium flame for 12 to 14 minutes or till the carrot gets cooked. Cool and blend in a mixer till smooth. Keep aside. Heat the remaining 1 tbsp of butter in the same deep non-stick pan, add the garlic and sauté on a medium flame for 1 minute. Add the prepared soup mixture, salt and pepper, mix well and cook on a medium flame for 4 to 5 minutes, while stirring occasionally. Serve hot garnished with basil leaves. Indian creamy tomato soup is a tangy soup that is aromatic and spicy. Tomatoes introduce tartness to the soup, while blended carrots add thickness, making it a filling meal. Plenty of pepper, chilli flakes and garlic enhance the spice quotient. Roasted garlic tomato soup is perfect if you want something light and tickles your taste buds- the spicy tomato soup, is thoroughly enjoyable! Serve spicy tomato soup with cheese croutons, pasta salad with basil vinaigrette and vegetable cutlets. Tips to make spicy tomato soup. 1. If you do not want to use big brune bread like this, you can buy small brune breads, it is easily available in the bakery. 2. You can add other seasoning of your choice, such as mixed herbs, oregano, etc. 3. Do not serve super-hot soup in the brune immediately otherwise it will become soggy and soup will overflow. Enjoy spicy tomato soup recipe | Indian creamy tomato soup | roasted garlic tomato soup | with step by step photos.
The Italian make risotto with a special variety of rice that is called arborio. I have used bulgur wheat as a substitute for rice in this recipe to enrich this delicacy with fibre to help control blood sugar levels after a hearty and satisfying meal. The colourful veggies in this dish makes them extremely appealing and also irresistible due to their aromatic flavours while being cooked. This Dalia Vegetable Risotto is a storehouse of nutrients like protein, vitamin A, vitamin C, iron as well as fibre. Cook this dish as close to the serving time as possible, as it is best enjoyed as a one dish meal when freshly prepared.
stir fry noodles recipe | Indian style stir fry noodles in Schezwan sauce | veg noodles Chinese style | with 32 amazing images. stir fry noodles recipe | Indian style stir fry noodles in Schezwan sauce | veg noodles Chinese style is one of the most common delicacies that features on a Chinese menu. Learn how to make Indian style stir fry noodles in Schezwan sauce. To make stir fry noodles, heat the oil in a wok or a broad non-stick pan, add the garlic and sauté on a high flame for a few seconds. Add the onions and sauté on a high flame for 1 minute. Add the capsicum and sauté on a high flame for 1 minute. Add the carrot, cabbage and baby corn and sauté on a high flame for 2 more minutes. Add the hakka noodles, schezuan sauce, soya sauce, tomato ketchup and salt, toss well and cook on high flame for 2 minutes, while tossing occasionally. Serve immediately topped with peanuts and spring onion greens. Think of any veggie that appears in Chinese cuisine and you will find it in this spicy stir fry! Made of a colourful and crunchy combination of veggies along with noodles and tangy sauces, this Indian style stir fry noodles in Schezwan sauce features a medley of flavours and textures. Whether you anticipate the thrill of creating a unique dish, or the simple enjoyment of a delicious meal at home - you can capture the excitement cooking with ease with the spicy Schezwan sauce that warms the palate. A simple but delicious homemade Schezuan sauce is sure to tickle your taste buds when added to veg noodles Chinese style. With a crisp garnish of fried garlic and coarsely crushed peanuts, the stir fry noodles offer sheer excitement to the taste buds. Serve this immediately to enjoy the crisp and juicy textures of the vegetables and the topping. Tips to make stir fry noodles. 1. Keep noodles and Schezuan sauce ready in advance. 2. Make the recipe just before serving. 3. You can also garnish it with fried garlic. 4. The remaining Schezuan sauce can be stored in an air-tight container in the freezer. 5. Boiled noodles when made in advance should be mixed with oil and kept aside so they do not stick to each other. stir fry noodles recipe | Indian style stir fry noodles in Schezwan sauce | veg noodles Chinese style | with step by step photos.
tava idli recipe | spicy tava idli | South Indian tava vegetable idlis | with 20 amazing images. tava idli recipe is what the name means, leftover idlis cooked on a tava in butter with Indian spices and vegetables. Hence they are also called South Indian tava vegetable idlis due to the presence of onions and tomatoes. Watch your leftover idlis transform into a scrumptious spicy tava idli as you toss them with crunchy onions, tangy tomatoes and peppy spice powders. The master stroke in this spicy tava idli recipe is the use of pav bhaji masala, a very popular flavour that is loved by young and old alike! Notes on and tips on tava idli recipe. 1. Butter gives a really nice flavor to the spicy tava idlis so make sure you use butter. 2. Add 2 tbsp of water so that it’s not very dry and salt to season. Water will prevent the masalas from sticking to the pan. 3. Spicy tava idli is similar to masala pav, just that we replace bread cubes with idli cubes. 4. The best results are achievable using cold idlis so, if you have idlis left from breakfast or dinner then you can transform them into tongue-tickling spicy tava idli. Try to serve spicy tava idli as soon as possible, while the flavours and textures are in tact. Learn to make tava idli recipe | spicy tava idli | South Indian tava vegetable idlis | with step by step photos and video below.
An interesting preparation of fresh sweet corn, cut and cooked with the cob, later added to an onion and tomato flavoured gravy. The pounded peanut added to the gravy is another highlight of this recipe—the flavour is indeed unique, as you will realise as soon as you take the first spoonful of spicy corn!
A delightful chaat that will thrill you to the core – hold it in your hand, capture a whiff of the namkeens dipped in sweet and tangy chutneys and topped with choice spices, dip your fingers and lick the chutney, take a mouthful and lose yourself in this Calcutta style spicy chaat.
masala chai recipe | masala tea | Mumbai roadside Masala Tea | Indian spiced tea | with 10 amazing images. Masala Chai is a very famous hot beverage originated from India. Rainy or winter days, it is a go to beverage. For most Indians, the day starts with a cup of masala chai. Chai or tea is a popular beverage made using a handful of aromatic ingredients. The quantity of all the ingredients varies from person to person. Every household has their own style of making it. As the name suggests, masala chai literally translate to spiced tea. The flavour of the tea is very powerful, it is basically made by brewing black tea with masala. We have made masala tea by taking water in a deep pan, added tea powder, the colour and flavour of the masala chai will largely depend upon the strength of tea powder so, always make use of good quality tea powder or tea leaves then add sugar. Further we have added lemongrass which gives a refreshing flavor to the tea. Also, we have added grated ginger which plays an important role in giving tea a refreshing hint. Further chai masala is added which is made with Indian spices. You can readily find it in the market or use our chai masala recipe and boil it all together so that all the flavours are extracted. It will aromatic and the flavour will be properly infused. Lastly, milk is added. You can add milk according to your preference depending on how you like yourmasala tea. If you start walking around the streets of India, you will see a chaiwala around every corner selling tea with biscuits or cream rolls. Be it day or night. Late nights, the chai wala’s are seen selling tea on their cycles making Mumbai roadside Masala Tea very popular . Tea is one of the very famous beverage and people usually start their day with tea and some breakfast. Masala tea can soothe you when you are unwell, rejuvenate you when you are tired, and revive your spirits when you are bored. Start your day with Masala tea and serve it with biscuits or any of your favourite snack. Enjoy masala chai recipe | masala tea | Mumbai roadside Masala Tea | Indian spiced tea | with detailed step by step photos and video below.
amla pickle recipe | amla achar | Indian gooseberry pickle | with 18 amazing images. This spicy amla pickle recipe is a true tongue-tickler, with the perfect masala for tangy amlas! Ideal to serve with any meal, it tastes especially great with rice and dal. amla achar has a lingering flavour, which is both spicy and sour, thanks to the use of various spices and seeds ranging from fennel and fenugreek seeds to chilli powder and asafoetida. The fennel and nigella are crushed and added to the Indian gooseberry pickle to give an immense boost to its flavour and aroma. Using mustard oil too gives the amla pickle a classic flavour. Let the amla pickle soak for two hours before relishing it. You can also store amla achar in the refrigerator for later use. Tips for amla pickle recipe. 1. Buy good quality amla that are firm, without any bruises and wash them in clean water before boiling. 2. Cook amlas on a medium flame for 6 minutes, while stirring it occasionally. This helps to soften the amla. Do not overcook the amlas as they will lose their shape. Have a go at other delectable pickles like the Quick Carrot and Capsicum Pickle and Raw Papaya Pickle. Enjoy amla pickle recipe | amla achar | Indian gooseberry pickle | with step by step photos below.
garlic rasam, poondu rasam recipe | pepper garlic rasam | South Indian poondu rasam | garlic rasam is a famous delicacy from Chettinad. Learn how to make South Indian poondu rasam. A variety of rasam recipe features on South Indian menus. As dal is to the West of India, rasam is to the South of India. As the name says this pepper garlic rasam, has peeled garlic cloves simmered in tamarind water. The final tempering of mustard seeds and chillies truly perks up the flavour and aroma of the rasam. Medu Vada makes an ideal match for Rasam. Just soak the vadas in the rasam and enjoy. To make garlic rasam, poondu rasam, first make the masala. In hot coconut oil saute black pepper, Kashmiri red chilli, chana dal, coriander seeds and cumin seeds for 3 minutes. Cool and blend to a smooth powder. Then temper the rasam. In coconut oil saute garlic and keep aside. In another pan add tamarind water and salt and boil for 7 minutes. Add the sautéed garlic and the prepared masala, mix well and simmer for another 4 to 5 minutes or till the mixture thickens. For the tempering, heat the ghee in a small non-stick pan and add the mustard seeds. When the seeds crackle, add the red chillies and sauté for a few seconds. Pour the tempering over the boiling rasam, mix well and simmer for another minute. Serve hot. South Indian poondu rasam imbibes the goodness of garlic, this is good for digestion as well as for general well-being due to its anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory property. Chewing on garlic has heart strengthening benefits too. But for those who do not like it raw, can make this rasam at least once a fortnight and enjoy its flavour along with its health benefits. However, if you cannot tolerate sour foods avoid this recipe as it has tamarind water. Tips for garlic rasam, poondu rasam. 1. You can make the masala in advance and refrigerate it. 2. Roast the masala on a slow flame only, else it might burn quickly. 3. As a healthy accompaniment, you can serve Low Calorie Medu Vada – a non fried counterpart. Enjoy garlic rasam, poondu rasam recipe | pepper garlic rasam | South Indian poondu rasam.
rice paratha recipe | stuffed rice paratha | spicy rice paratha with left over rice | with 45 amazing images. rice paratha recipe | stuffed rice paratha | spicy rice paratha with left over rice is a one dish satiating meal in itself. Learn how to make stuffed rice paratha. To make rice paratha, first make the dough. For the spicy rice stuffing, heat the oil in a broad non-stick pan and add the cumin seeds. When the seeds crackle, add the onions and sauté on a medium flame for 1 to 2 minutes. Add the ginger-garlic paste and sauté for a few seconds. Add the green chillies, chilli powder, turmeric powder, cooked rice and salt, mix well and cook on a medium flame for 1 to 2 minutes, while stirring occasionally. Add the mint and coriander and mix well. Allow to cool completely and divide the stuffing into 8 equal portions. Keep aside. The to make stuffed rice paratha, roll out one portion of the dough into a 100 mm. (4") diameter circle using a little whole wheat flour for rolling. Place one portion of the spicy rice stuffing in the centre of the circle. Bring together all the sides in the centre and seal tightly. Roll out again into a circle of 125 mm. (5") diameter circle with the help of a little whole wheat flour for rolling. Heat a non-stick tava (griddle) and cook the parathas, using a little oil, till they turn brown in colour from both the sides. Repeat with the remaining dough and stuffing to make 7 more parathas. Serve immediately with fresh curds. A great way to use up left-over rice or pulao and create an altogether new recipe. These spicy rice parathas with left over rice are very common in Gujarati homes, where the rice left-over from dinner is seasoned further, stuffed into parathas and served for breakfast or lunch the following day. Although the stuffed rice paratha is a simple preparation perked up with green chillies, cumin seeds, ginger garlic paste and fresh herbs; the outcome is exotic and luxuriant which you can enjoy with Methambo or Quick Mango Chunda. A bowl of curd too is a satiating accompaniment. Tips for rice paratha. 1. Serve rice paratha with curds. 2. Use a spatula to press down on the paratha to cook it evenly. 3. Serve rice paratha recipe | stuffed rice paratha | spicy rice paratha with left over rice | with achar. Enjoy rice paratha recipe | stuffed rice paratha | spicy rice paratha with left over rice | with step by step photos.
Chana dal has a somewhat rustic but very satiating texture, flavour and aroma compared to other dals, and if used properly, it can turn into a brilliant accompaniment, as in the case of this Spicy Sindhi Dal. Smartly flavoured with everyday ingredients like green chillies and onions, this dal gets its intense taste from a combination of readily available spice powders and a dash of lime juice as well. Serve hot with a bowl of steaming rice or phulkas.
spicy yellow moong dal recipe | healthy moong dal | Indian moong dal for weight loss | with 25 amazing images. spicy yellow moong dal recipe | healthy moong dal | Indian moong dal for weight loss is appealing though it encompasses simplicity. Learn how to make healthy moong dal. To make spicy yellow moong dal, clean, wash and soak the yellow moong dal in enough water in a deep bowl for 15 minutes. Drain and keep aside. Combine all the ingredients along with the yellow moong dal and 1½ cups of water in a pressure cooker, mix well and pressure cook for 2 whistles. Allow the steam to escape before opening the lid and whisk well. Add ¼ cup of water, mix well and bring to boil. Serve hot. This Spicy Yellow Moong Dal is so tasty you will want to make it every day, and you can – because it is so simple and easy-to-make. Unlike traditional methods of making dal with a ghee-loaded tempering, this healthy moong dal is made without any oil and yet tastes the same. Moong Dal is a storehouse of nutrients like protein, iron and folic acid, so you can relish this dal without any guilt of putting on extra kilos and with the satisfaction of providing your body machinery with required nutrients. This Indian moong dal for weight loss is a wise choice for diabetics and heart patients too! Further the teamwork of onions and tomatoes with basic Indian spices in spicy yellow moong dal produces an excellent mix of flavours and aroma. These vegetables also lend antioxidants, which are necessary compounds to reduce inflammation in the body and keep stress at bay. Tips for spicy yellow moong dal. 1. Instead of slit green chillies and ginger paste you can also add ginger-green chilli paste. 2. If you are serving the dal later, then add water to adjust the consistency of the dal before reheating and serving. 3. This is a zero oil dal, but if you wish you can give a tempering of cumin seeds in a tsp of oil after the dal is cooked. 4. You can buy readymade garam masala or make garam masala at home. Learn how to make spicy yellow moong dal recipe | healthy moong dal | Indian moong dal for weight loss | with step by step photos.
There is a difference in every aspect of this puri – at one level, there is a scrumptious filling of soaked, ground and sautéed urad dal spiced with a special masala; and then there is the dough tinged with the heady aroma of nigella seeds. Without a doubt, these spicy urad dal puris will set you apart as a gourmet cook!
This Spicy Chole draws from the goodness of all the aromatic spices in your masala dabba. It is so sumptuous and rich, you will not even realize that it has no onions or potatoes in it! While bottle gourd contributes to the consistency of this special chole preparation, an intense powder of varied spices adds to its flavour. The pomegranate seeds, especially, contributes an appreciable tang and taste to the powder. Serve the Spicy Chole steaming hot with rice or rotis of your choice.
Greens and carrots, interestingly flavoured with ginger, green chillies and other common but effective taste-givers, form the stuffing for these sumptuous whole wheat parathas. The combination of spinach and chawli greens gives the parathas a unique, very appetizing taste that you are sure to enjoy. Since the Spicy Chawli Leaves and Spinach Stuffed Paratha has a rich and spicy taste by itself, you can just serve it with a cup of curds. This is a fabulous way to use chawli leaves, and you will be happy to see your whole family relishing it! Try other parathas like the Papad Stuffed Parathas or Paneer Stuffed Green Pea Parathas .
A traditional tempering and fresh buttermilk transform leftover chapatis into a healthy and tasty snack – that you can have for breakfast or any time you are hungry! You can boost the nutrition quotient of the calcium and protein loaded Spicy Chapati Cooked in Buttermilk by adding a cup of vitamin-rich veggies at step 3.
Sumptuous khichdi gets an exciting double-twist in this recipe. With the addition of spices, garlic and coconut, the khichdi itself gets a little richer, but when served with a tongue-tickling curry sauce, it becomes nonpareil! The tomato-based sauce is prepared with a masala paste that features almost all the spices in your larder, along with poppy seeds and nuts, which gives it a rich texture as well. Although you can experience the combined flavours of all the ingredients in the Spicy Khichdi with Curry Sauce, the magical aroma of aniseeds stands out in a sharp yet irresistible way.

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