Month: November 2017

Winter is a great time to enjoy cozy woolens and the chill in the air. Just like fashion trends come and go, it’s the same for food, especially during winter. There are foods that carry the essence of winter winds and fuel the body and are filled with benefits. Some of the most popular dishes are mentioned below.

 

Makkai ki Roti

It is a delicacy in Punjab and people devour this during the winter because of the high-calorie content, which keeps the body warm. They are made of maize which grows during winter and that is why it is a famous winter dish. There are several dishes that are served along with these rotis.

 

Sarson Ka Saag

This dish is actually one of the accompaniment to Makkai ki Roti and is made of mustard. Spinach is added to the dish when it is cooked, which gives the dish a delightful taste and the rich green color. Since both the ingredients are freshly available in winter, they are a winter specialty.

 

Haldi Ki Sabzi

This actually refers to a curry made of turmeric which is a great accompaniment for the makkai ki roti and helps in keeping the body warm and also provides energy during the winter. Turmeric or Haldi already has some chemicals properties that are best suited for winter, for which this dish is loved by everyone.

 

Dal Bati Churma

The dish is made with Dal or lentils and also bread rolls prepared out of hard wheat flour. The dal can be made out of moong dal, Toor dal or urad dal. Various other spices are added to the dal which give it an ecstatic taste. It is also healthy because of the whole wheat flour, an essential component filled with carbohydrates, which can generate higher energy with protein-packed dal making it a wonderful dish for the winter.

Gaund Ke Laddu

Gaund Ke Laddu is a food that is made with edible gums. These edible gums are great for the body because they provide the much-needed heat and energy to the body. It is also said to strengthen bones. That is the reason why this sweet dish is mostly prepared in different places during winter. It is a delicacy from Rajasthan.

Gajar Ka Halwa

Gajar ka Halwa is a dish loved by everyone all across the country and is one of the most common Indian desserts. It is consumed during the winter as it is rich in vitamins and fibers, which can help a person fight the cold temperature of winter. Carrot is a great food for all times, but during the winter this vegetable gets an exquisite taste, especially when made into the much loved Halwa.

Bajra Kheej

Bajra Kheej is another dessert that is prepared with wheat, milk, sugar etc. It is made by condensing milk and is rich in calcium which helps in preparation of the dishes, making it a great dish for winter. The calcium present in the dish helps muscle function and bone structures, which are essential during winter. All the dishes mentioned above are unique in taste and are popular during the winter due to their energy producing properties and essential nutrients prepared in this aspect. This makes these foods perfect for the chilly winter months.

Have you ever wondered how the food traditions of our vast country have become a symbol of the varied cultures? The traditions that people in India follow, when it comes to food shows the actual culture of that region. There are some common traditions around different parts of India,

some of which are actually good for health while others are related to customs of the people of that place. Read on to understand the reasons that make food a symbol of the Indian culture.

1. Eating food on a banana leaf is one of the traditions followed mainly by the people in the south of India. It is a part of their daily routine and is actually considered healthy to eat a meal on a
freshly cut and washed banana leaf.

2. Different dishes depict different communities around India, like biriyani, dosa, noodles, rajma, paratha, chingri, malaikari etc. These are certain things that are an integral part of their respective communities, but also unite them because people from every region enjoy them.

 

3. The habit of eating food with hand is a culture followed across the country. According to the ancient Vedas, our fingers represent the 5 elements and eating with our fingers stimulates these five elements and helps in bringing forth digestive juices in the stomach. The nerve endings in our fingertips are also known to stimulate digestion and feeling your food is, in a way a signal to your stomach that you are about to eat, which in turn enhances your taste buds and makes you more conscious of the tastes, textures, and aromas.

 

4. There are special thalis that depict different regions, like the South and North Indian thalis, served at restaurants and are completely different from each other. It shows how the tastes of the people in the regions differ. The spices used in the south Indian food have a cooling impact on the body while body warming flavors and spices are used in north Indian food.

5. Sweets form a major part of each meal and are representative of a long lasting Indian custom. Sweets are served in the beginning, during and end of every meal depending on the customs and practices of the particular region and varies with each dish.

 

6. The other thing eaten before ending a meal in different places across India is having meethapaan, which acts as a mouth freshener. Having a paan after a meal also improves digestion and is also beneficial for oral health.

The dishes that Indians eat are bound by several reasons which make them depict the actual symbol of the culture of their place. This unites the country through food!