The Best Winter Recipes to Savour this Season

As the days get colder and the nights darker, you know for sure that winter is coming! Bringing with it the festive high, you automatically notice a change in your appetite and cravings for certain kinds of food during this time. Have you ever wondered why that happens? Let’s find out!

Our body is an intelligent being that regulates itself as the world around it changes. This balancing act is called homeostasis, and a major part is body temperature regulation. As the temperatures drop, our body goes into a ‘self-preservation mode.’ 

As our body tries to increase its internal temperature, we find ourselves craving more warm comforting, high-calorie food in the winter. Eating helps warm up the body and maintain a normal temperature since you are adding more energy to your system. Less sunlight and dampness can also affect one’s mood and cause intense food cravings. 

 

3 Amazing Winter Foods to Feast on This Winter

Healthy winter food, rich flavours, and authentic delicacies are perfect to indulge in the cool winters. Here are some delicious winter recipes made easy with Crompton’s amazing range of kitchen appliances. 

 

1. Dal Bhajiya

 

Ingredients: 

1. 1 cup chana dal 

2. ½ cup moong dal

3. 2 tsp ginger garlic paste

4. 2 tsp green chillies 

5. 1 tsp coriander seeds

6. A pinch of asafoetida

7. Salt to taste 

8. A pinch of baking soda 

9. Vegetable oil of your choice 

 

Method:

1. Combine the two dals and soak them in water for 5 hours

2. Drain the water and blend them in Crompton’s Ameo 4-jar mixer grinder

3. Add ginger garlic paste, green chillies, coriander powder, cumin seeds, salt, and baking soda and mix well

4. Heat oil in a kadhai and deep fry the bhajia till golden brown and crisp 

5. Drain the fries on absorbent paper and serve with it hot.

Crompton’s premier range of home appliances ensures a hassle-free experience whether you are looking to create some mouth-watering winter snacks or healthy winter special recipes. Crompton’s 4-jar Ameo mixer grinder comes with Maxigrind Technology that gives a 10% finer grind. Now you can grind dals, spices, and vegetables into the smoothest consistency within seconds!

 

2. Medu Vada 

 

Ingredients: 

1. ½ cup urad dal

2. ½ cup toor dal

3. 1 tsp rice flour 

4. ½ cup finely chopped onions

5. 1 chopped chilli 

6. ½ tsp pepper

7. ½ tsp cumin seeds

8. Vegetable oil of your choice 

 

Method: 

1. Combine the two dals and soak them in water for 4 hours

2. Drain the water and blend them in Crompton’s  Duro Plus wet grinder. Do not add water at the beginning

3. Let the grinder run for 10 seconds. Then add ⅛ cup of water to the batter and wipe the dal stuck on the side of the mixer. Add water and wipe sides for 12-14 minutes til the paste is fluffy and light

4. Remove the batter and add finely chopped onion, chillies, cumin seeds, pepper, and hing to it. Mix them well. 

5. Shape the vadas and make a hole in the centre with your thumb. 

6. Deep fry the batter in hot oil till both sides are brown and crispy

7. Serve with coconut chutney for an amazing breakfast for the winter season

A wet grinder can give you that smooth batter you require for fluffy idlis, vadas and chapatis. Crompton’s premium range of wet grinders contains cylindrical grooved stones and a control flow that pushes the mixture back in the centre even while grinding. Its 160-watt high-capacity motor makes it reliable and durable in the long run. Additionally, its Vent-X technology provides enhanced ventilation and cools the motor without damaging it. 

 

3. Samosa 

 

Ingredients for the dough:

1. ½ cup maida flour

2. 1 tsp carom seeds

3. 2 tbsp ghee 

4. Salt to taste 

 

Ingredients for samosa filling 

1. 3 boiled potatoes

2. ½ cup green peas

3. ½ tsp cumin seeds 

4. ½ tsp red chilli ginger paste

5. 1 tbsp coriander powder 

6. ½ tsp garam masala

7. 1 tsp lemon juice

8. 2 tbsp finely chopped coriander leaves

9. Salt to taste

10. Vegetable oil 

 

Method for samosa filling:

1. Boil the potatoes and green peas in salted water. After boiling gently mash the potatoes

2. Heat 2 tbsp of vegetable oil in a kadai over Crompton’s Instaserve 2000 induction cooktop

3. Add cumin seeds and chilli-ginger paste and stir for a minute.

4. Add boiled green peas, coriander powder, garam masala, and red chilli powder and stir fry for a minute.

5. Add the mashed potatoes to the mixture and mix for 2-3 minutes

6. Add coriander leaves and lemon juice for taste. Turn off the induction cooktop and transfer the contents to a bowl

 

Method for the dough:

While the potatoes are boiling you can proceed with making the samosa outer covering. 

1. Take maida, carom seeds, 3 tbsp ghee, salt, and water in a bowl and knead a firm dough. 

2. Let it set for 15 minutes

3. Then divide the dough into 6 balls and roll out each ball into 2 mm thick discs. 

4. Cut the discs in half and fold them to make a cone.

 

Preparing the samosa:

1. Fill the cone with the spiced potato filling

2. Wet the edges of the cone and seal them with your fingers

3. Deep fry 2-3 samosas at a time in medium-hot oil until they turn golden brown. 

 

6 healthy Winter Vegetables to Add to Your Winter Diet 

1. Carrots: As a popular winter vegetable, carrots contain Vitamin C which helps in boosting immunity. They are loaded with beta carotene and Vitamin A which helps improve vision and also reduce the risk of diabetes.

2. Cabbage: Antioxidants found in cabbage can reduce inflammation and improve brain function. Cabbage is also rich in fibre and helps improve digestion and treat constipation.

3. Radish: The health benefits of radish include detoxification, prevention, and cure of urinary infections and help in weight loss.

4. Spinach: Spinach is a treasure trove of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. Its high potassium content helps manage high blood pressure. It is rich in Vitamin K which helps maintain bone strength and density. 

5. Beetroots: Beetroots are a rich source of folates, copper, manganese, and iron that help lower blood pressure, prevent kidney stones and improve blood circulation

6. Brocolli: Brocolli has a bounty of health benefits such as detoxifying the body, reducing allergic reactions and inflammation, cholesterol reduction, and lowering blood pressure. 

 

Enjoy These Healthy and Delicious Winter Drinks at Home

Smoothies can be a part of a healthy yet delicious winter breakfast. We have some simple yet wholesome hot winter drinks recipes that you can prepare at home using Crompton’s ultra-modern yet affordable home appliances. 

 

1. Oats and Chocolate Hot Winter Smoothie 

 

Ingredients: 

1. 15 gms dark chocolate (chopped)

2. 200nml unsweetened almond milk

3. 20 gms oats

4. Half a ripe banana

5. 5 gms chia seeds

6. 6 almonds 

7. Half cup water

 

Method:

1. Heat dark chocolate and almond milk in a pan till the mixture is hot (you may use a microwave too)

2. Add oats, a banana, almonds, and chia seeds to a juicer mixer grinder and blend on high for a minute till the chia seeds and oats have completely incorporated. 

3. Pour in the blended oat mix into a glass and stir in the chocolate milk mix and serve. 

If you want healthy and tasty winter drinks like smoothies and juices on the go, Then Crompton’s juicer mixer grinder is a wise choice. With its state-of-the-art technology, modern design, and compact size, Crompton’s juicer mixer grinder for your daily routine comes with a two-year warranty and a 100% copper motor for maximum durability. It also has a powerful blend that gives you the easiest way to make your favourite juices, smoothies, and mix bowls right in your kitchen. 

 

 

2. Warm Apple Pie Smoothie

 

Ingredients: 

1. One chopped and peeled apple

2. ½ cup water

3. ¼ tsp vanilla extract

4. 1 tbsp maple syrup

5. ¼ tsp cinnamon powder

6. 1 pinch of nutmeg

7. Whipped cream (optional)

 

Method: 

1. Combine apple, water, vanilla extract, maple syrup, and cinnamon in a juicer mixer grinder and blend till smooth

2. Pour it into a mug and microwave it for 2-4 minutes

3. Sprinkle some cinnamon powder on top and add whipped cream on top to enjoy this hot winter drink

A powerful juicer mixer grinder is a must-have if you want to enjoy soulful hot winter drinks at home. Crompton’s Prima RJ Plus juicer mixer grinder comes with specially designed blades and 450 watts powerful motor to give you a powerful blend. It also comes with an overload protector to prevent any damage caused by high voltage.  

If smoothies are not your cup of tea, then use Crompton’s electric kettle to make yourself a real cup of piping hot tea in seconds! With maximum safety features and a stylish design, this electric kettle serves all your heating needs. 

 

3 Winter Desserts to Bring in the Festive Cheer 

The festive season is incomplete without winter sweets. Indians have a long-standing tradition to prepare winter desserts that are made at home, with the help of our loved ones and some handy and useful home appliances.

 

1. Gajar ka halwa 

 

Ingredients: 

1. 500 gms grated carrots

2. ½ cup ghee

3. 750 ml milk

4. ¾ cup sugar

5. 1 tsp cardamom powder

6. 10 almonds cut lengthwise

 

Method

1. Heat ghee in a heavy-bottomed pan and saute the carrots in it til they become slightly soft

2. Add milk and crank up the heat to medium-high. Allow the mixture to come to a boil. 

3. Once the mixture is boiled, reduce the heat to medium-low and cook the halwa till all the milk has evaporated. 

4. This process takes 35-40 minutes. Keep stirring with a wooden spoon to prevent the halwa from sticking to the pan. 

5. Once you notice the milk has evaporated and the halwa is starting to solidify, add sugar, cardamom powder, and almond to the mixture. Keep stirring till the sugar melts.

6. Once the halwa has thickened to a good consistency turn off the heat. Your delicious winter dessert is ready to be served!

 

2. Til laddoo

 

Ingredients: 

1. 1 cup white sesame seeds 

2. ½ cup softened khoya

3. ½ cup jaggery crumbs

4. 1 pinch of saffron strands

5. 2 tsp canola oil 

6. 2 tbsp full-cream milk

 

Method

1. Heat some canola oil and sesame seed in a thick-bottomed pan

2. Stir the sesame seeds till they turn a light golden brown

3. Soak some saffron in milk and reserve it

4. In the same pan as the sesame seeds, add jaggery and melt it till it begins to froth. Then take it off the flame

5. Add to it saffron milk, khoya and sesame seeds and stir it well

6. Now oil your palms with some canola oil and take some portion of the mixture and shape it into medium-sized balls

7. Your traditional winter sweet is ready to eat!

 

3. Gulab Jamun

 

Ingredients for the dough

1. 1 cup milk powder

2. 2 tbsp all-purpose flour

3. ⅛ tsp baking powder

4. 1 tbsp ghee

5. 6-7 tbsp milk

6. Oil for deep frying

 

Ingredient for the syrup:

1. 1 cup sugar

2. ¼ cup water

3. 2 green cardamom pods

4. ⅛ tsp rose water

5. ¼ tsp lemon juice 

 

Method of the dough:

1. In a mixing bowl add milk powder, flour baking powder and ghee. Slowly add milk and form a stiff dough

2. Cover the dough with a cloth and let it rest for 5 minutes

3. Oil your palms and take small portions of the dough to shape them into small balls 

4. Deep fry the gulab jamuns in batches for 4-5 minutes, till they are golden brown

 

Method for the syrup:

1. In a saucepan add water, sugar and two crushed cardamom pods

2. Let the mixture boil till the sugar is completely dissolved

3. Reduce to medium flame to achieve a sticky consistency of sugar syrup

4. Once ready, turn off the stove and add rose water to it.

 

Add fried jamuns to the sugar syrup. Let them soak the syrup for at least 2 hours. By the end of it, your favourite Indian winter dessert will be ready!