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When winter sets in India, we look for cosy and comforting delicacies that provide warmth to our bodies. From teas to seasonal vegetables, there are many winter foods and drinks that give us essential nutrients and provide protection from the chilly weather. Soup is another special winter delight that not only keeps us warm but is also packed with deliciousness.
Similar to soup, there is another concoction called shorba that is widely enjoyed across India during winter. The term shorba is derived from the Arabic word ‘shurbah’ which means soup. It originated in the Middle East and is a part of many cuisines all over the world. Traditionally, shorba is prepared with meat, but there are many vegetarian recipes also available.
If you are also looking for some comforting shorba recipes to incorporate into your winter meals, here are six varieties to try:
Mutton Shorba
This delightful soup is heaven for all non-vegetarian lovers. Made with bone-in mutton pieces, it is perfect for a hearty lunch as well as dinner. Mutton shorba is flavoured with cinnamon, cardamom, cloves, ginger-garlic paste, and tomatoes. It goes well on its own as well as with steamed rice. It is usually spicy in taste, but you can adjust it accordingly.
Gahat Shorba
Gahat shorba is a gift of pahari cuisine. Originating in the state of Himachal Pradesh, it is prepared with horse gram lentils. This comforting soup brings the authentic flavours of the hills to our plates. The main ingredients of this warm delight are gahat daal, onion, and spices like mustard seeds, black pepper, asafoetida, and cumin seeds.
Dal Shorba
Dal is a staple part of Indian meals. It is enjoyed with both rice and roti. But have you ever tried dal shorba? Made with moong dal, lemon, red chilli powder, and black pepper powder, it is spicy as well as tangy in taste. Garnished with coriander leaves, it goes well for lunch as well as dinner.
Murgh Sorba
Chicken shorba, or murgh shorba, is a mellow and warming soup that is flavourful as well as nourishing. Made with skinless chicken thigh, ghee, ginger, lemon, heavy cream, garam masala, peppercorn, and other aromatic spices, it is an ideal pre-dinner snack for the winter months. This cosy and comforting food is also keto-friendly.
Palak Shorba
This thick and creamy soup is very popular in the northern part of India, particularly Punjab. Palak shorba is made from boiled spinach leaves, garlic, and spices like cumin seeds and cumin. Milk is also added to this soup to give it a smooth and creamy texture. It is highly nutritious and can become a part of every meal.
Tamatar Shorba
This is an all-time favourite shorba that is very easy to prepare. It is made with ripe tomatoes and various spices and herbs like cumin seeds, black pepper, garlic, ginger, and coriander leaves. Besides being enjoyed on its own, tomato shorba can also be served with jeera rice or vegetable pulao.
