Once the autumn leaves start to settle at the corners of the row, the aroma of freshly picked pumpkins is replaced by a chill in the air. With the winter winds come quick pick-me-ups like moongfali (peanuts), gajak, halwa, and much more that keep your body temperature warm. But if you are looking for something filling, there’s nothing better than making one-pot dishes.
One-pot dishes are not only quick to prepare but also require minimal effort and utensils to save you from standing in chilly kitchens for long hours. Usually prepared with aromatic spices and simple kitchen ingredients, all simmered to perfection, these one-pot dishes are the perfect way to snuggle in a blanket with a bowl of cosiness.
Khichdi
Khichdi is the most comforting food that is known for its light profile and high nutritional value. Since it is easy and quick to prepare, khichdi is perfect for making in winter and even for the days when you feel the cold has got you. All you need to do to make this one-pot meal is cook soaked rice, moong dal, ghee, and a blend of spices. Within 15-20 minutes of cooking, once the grains are cooked thoroughly, you can enjoy it with a bowl of curd.
Masala Oats
Masala oats are an Indian twist on the traditional oatmeal, spiced with Indian masalas and loaded with vegetables. On winter nights, when you just want a quick and healthy fix, you can make the one-pot masala oats. Start by sauteing cumin seeds and chopped onions and then mix in spices like turmeric, mustard seeds, curry leaves, salt, and red chilli powder. Then, add in your favourite veggies like carrots, peas, tomatoes, etc and make it a complete meal.
Fish Curry
Fish curry is the go-to one-pot meal for seafood lovers. If you want something protein-rich to pair with rice or roti, fish curry is perfect to quickly whip up. You can start by marinating fish in a curd mixed with your favourite spices. Then, cook it to perfection in a spicy tomato-based gravy. To make it even better, simmer it with coconut milk, garnish it with chopped coriander, and serve.
Pulao
Pulao is a vegetarian’s go-to comfort food that can be made within half an hour. To make this one-pot Indian dish, you can rinse and soak rice. In the meantime, you can saute onions with cumin seeds and your favourite spices. Then, you can add vegetables like peas, carrots, cauliflower, etc, along with the soaked rice and water. In about fifteen minutes, your pulao will be ready to savour.
Paneer Butter Masala
Paneer butter masala is another comfort food for many Indians. The nutrient-rich one-pot dish can be made even faster if you are using a premade tomato puree and ginger-garlic paste. By simmering the tomato puree, chopped onions, and spices, you can prepare a spicy masala. Then, add chopped paneer cubes and some cream and stir till the paneer is well-coated. Finally, garnish with coriander leaves and enjoy your winter-special meal.