With so much rain this year, extending beyond the monsoon and with sudden changes in weather, the arrival of autumn has thus begun to be felt in parts of India. With its cool breeze and promise of upcoming festivals, it surely is a time of the year. And as the weather starts turning, so do our cravings-toward heartier, warmer meals in sync with the cosy festive feeling. Stock up your pantry for autumn and prepare those delightful meals that will warm you up during cooler days. Welcome the change in season and see that you get all that is required for healthy and delicious meals.
Warming Spices
Autumn meals in India include a number of warming spices such as cinnamon, cardamom, cloves, and cumin. These spices add layers of flavour and have warming properties appropriate for the season. Make sure you have garam masala, turmeric, and black pepper in your pantry to make rich gravies, soups, and stews. These can be used on everything from traditional curries to roasted vegetables to give your meals that warm and earthy feel.
Lentils and Pulses
The cool weather requires hearty meals, and to this effect, lentils or pulses form really good bases for a large number of Indian recipes during autumn. Replenish your pantries with toor dal, masoor dal, moong dal, and chickpeas-a staple to make healthy dals, soups, and stews. Lentils not only warm up the body but are also very nutritious and versatile. Combine them with rice or roti, and you have a simple yet satisfying meal, or cook up some rich lentil curries to serve with bread.
Whole Grains
As the weather starts to cool down, the body craves more filling foods. Brown rice, quinoa, bajra, jowar, or sorghum are ideal for Autumn. Bajra and jowar form the staple grain ingredients during the cooler months in most Indian homes. These two can be used to make a variety of rotis or hearty porridge that will fill the tummy and keep it warm. Quinoa is an amazing source of protein and can be included in salads or as a side dish, while brown rice does the job just right to feed rice bowls or khichdi.
Cooking Oils and Ghee
The season of festivity is all set to come, and most Indian houses will gear up to make delicious sweets and snacks. Stock up on ghee, as it acts as an ingredient in many Indian desserts like halwa, laddoos, and kheer. Ghee, besides infusing flavour in your food, holds warmth, which is apt for the particular time of the season. Other than ghee, a set of frying and sautéing oils, including mustard oil, sesame oil, and coconut oil, are musts in your kitchen.
Nuts and Dried Fruits
Nuts include almonds, cashews, raisins, and walnuts, which are staples during the fall. They add a nice crunch and richness to savoury or sweet. Whether making a warm bowl of upma, a festive payasam, or even a simple breakfast smoothie, nuts along with dried fruits add texture and nutritional value. These are wonderful snacks for when you want a healthy filling snack in the middle of the day.
Preserved and Fermented Foods
Among the better pantry staples during this season of heartier meals are fermented and preserved foods. Besides the fact that pickles, chutneys, and preserves keep well, they add a certain zest to any meal that one might not want to miss. Stock up on amla/gooseberry and lemon pickles or chutneys made from seasonal fruits and vegetables. These items improve the flavour of your meals and give you a soothing tang to the dishes.
Root Vegetables
Although they are not, by definition, items for the pantry, root vegetables such as potatoes, sweet potatoes, onions, and garlic should be stored in large quantities; they will be kept for many weeks in cool, dry places. The foundation of so many fall dishes involves hearty soups, stews, and roasted sides made with root vegetables. They bring a rich, earthy flavour which melds with spices and other seasonal ingredients, making them essential to fall cooking.