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With the cold wind slowly creeping in during the fall season, our tastes start to shift towards comfort food. You know, rich, heavy food that can warm the body from inside. Of course, with life being hectic as it is, nobody's got time for cooking a galore of meals every day. That's when one-pot dishes come into play-a saviour in the kitchen, especially for Indian houses. These are speedy meals with almost no cleanup, absolutely loaded with layers of flavours. Be it a rich biryani, wholesome dal, or spicy khichdi one-pot meal is just what you need in those wonderfully lazy autumn days. These will let you feast on the depth of Indian spices but keep the cooking process simple and efficient.
Khichdi
Probably the most comforting food in India, khichdi is one of the simplest yet nourishing one-pot dishes cooked from rice and lentils. It is soothing and very simple to digest, making it perfect for fall's cooler days. Whether you need it after a cold or are in a hurry to whip up something, it's basically the one. Add in a mix of vegetables such as carrots, peas and beans, with a dose of cumin, turmeric and asafoetida for a warming and wholesome dish.
Dal
Dal is the quintessential Indian dish that demands one pot but delivers a rich and satisfying meal. Lentils cooked with onions, tomatoes, and reams of aromatic spices such as cumin, turmeric and coriander. aDal can be made from all kinds of lentils, right from toor dal to masoor dal. One can have it even with rice and roti for a complete meal. This one-pot meal high in proteins is so comforting - especially on those chilly fall evenings.
Bajra Khichdi
Bajra khichdi is another traditional dish from Rajasthan, which can be prepared by simply cooking bajra with moong dal and spices. Bajra is indeed the warming grain for many Indian homes as the temperature starts dropping. Rich in fibre, iron, and protein, this is an excellent option for fall. Simply make it good with a dollop of ghee and curd or pickle on the side with its earthy flavour.
Rajma (Kidney Beans)
North Indian classic, Rajma is comfort food for many a home in the fall. Rich protein and fibre-rich slow-cooked kidney beans drenched in a thick tomato-based gravy infused with garam masala, cumin, and coriander make this a deliciously filling, nourishing meal. Serve over steamed rice for a complete, wholesome dish.
Bisi Bele Bath
Bisi bele bath is a South Indian favourite, known for its spicy flavour with the goodness of rice, toor dal, tamarind, and seasonal vegetables. Its original source is from Karnataka in India. Freshly ground bisi bele bath powder tastes unique; it is a warm, comforting meal. Garnishing this dish with ghee and crunchy boondi or papad makes it a complete meal by itself.
Sambhar
Sambhar is yet another versatile South Indian dish that totally functions as a one-pot meal. Dotted with lentils, tamarind, and an assortment of vegetables-drumsticks, carrots, and okra-this hearty stew is laced with flavor from the versatile sambhar powder, which is both tangy and spicy. It's usually paired with rice or idlis, but if you're crammed for time, you can also pile this into a bowl all by itself as an act of comfort to soothe your soul. Sambhar's mix of proteins and veggies makes for a perfect nutritious meal for fall.
