Comfort Food Recipes for Rainy Days

 Comfort Food Rainy Day Recipes

Rainy days hold a magic of their own, don't they? The sound of raindrops splitting down, the smell of wet earth, that cuddly feeling at home creates lots of memories of those childhood days. For many of us a monsoon season is incomplete without a plate of warm and comforting food. When it rains outside, our hearts crave something hot and spicy and soul satisfying.

Today, I'm sharing some of my favourite rainy day comfort food recipes. These are simple, homely and perfect for when you just want to curl up with a blanket and a hot plate of goodness.

1. Masala Chai With Pakoras - The Classic Combination

Nothing says "rainy day" like a a cup of steaming masala chai accompanied by crispy pakoras. 

Some tips and recommendations: 

For the chai:

• Boil water with ginger, cardamom and a little cinnamon.
• Add tea leaves and milk. Simmer until strong smelling and aromatic.
• Strain and serve piping hot.

For the pakoras:

• Mix besan (gram flour) with chopped onions and green chili along with coriander, salt and little ajwain.
• Add water to make into a thick batter.
• Drop teaspoonfuls in hot oil, and fry until golden brown.

Personal note: It was exactly those dark days in college when I was sitting on my balcony and demolishing onion pakoras with chai while looking at the rain coming. That warmth is un-forgettable.

2. Khichdi – Warm Hug in a Bowl

Khichdi is not food at all, it's an emotion. This one pot dish made with rice as well with lentils is light and easy to digest and is very strumming food on gloomy days.

Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup rice
• 1/2 cup moong dal
• 1 small onion, chopped
• 1 tomato, chopped
• Spices: turmeric, cumin, salt

Method:

• Wash rice and dal together.
• In pressure cooker, add little ghee, cumin, onion and tomato.
• To this add turmeric, salt, rice, dal and 3 cups water.
• Cook until soft and mushy.
• Serve it with either papad, pickle or dollop of ghee on top. It’s wholesome and warming.

3. Maggi Noodles 

Maggi is the go-to comfort food of many Indians on rainy days. But, instead of making it plain try this up and one.

Ingredients:

• 1 packet Maggi noodles
• 1/2 cu. veggies (peas, carrot, beans, capsicum)
• Pinch of chili flakes/chaat masala

Method:

• Saute some vegetables in a pan with some oil
• Add in water and the Maggi tastemaker.
• Cook noodles as normal and top with chilli flakes or a squeeze of lemon.

Pro tip: Add an egg or paneer cubes for added protein

4. Hot and Spicy Tomato Soup

When the weather gets chilly, nothing goes well with a bowl of hot tomato soup. Pair it with some toasted bread and you've got yourself a cosy dinner.

Ingredients:

• 4 ripe tomatoes
• 1 onion, chopped
• 2 garlic cloves
• Salt, pepper and bit of butter

Method:

• Pressure Steam 6-8 lbs tomatoes, or onion and garlic Mix the pressure, whistles 2
• Blend to a smooth puree.
• Simmer in butter, salt and pepper.
• Serve with croutons or toasted bread.

It's warm and tangy and is perfect to drink while watching the rain.4. Hot and Spicy Tomato Soup

5. Aloo Paratha, Curd and Pickle

If you are craving something heavier, well, aloo paratha is the way to go. It's filling, delicious, and it is quite the comfort food.

Ingredients:

• Wheat flour dough
• Mashed potatoes with onion, green chili and spices
• Ghee or oil for cooking

Method:

• Roll out a small bit of dough.
• Stuff with spiced mashed tattie (potatoes).
• Roll again properly and cook in hot tawa in ghee.
• Serve with hot curd and pickle.

One bite of this warm paratha with curd on a rainy morning and you'll feel as if you are home no matter you are miles away.

✅ Final Thoughts

Rainy days remind us to slow down, enjoy the little things and of course, eat some food that warms the body and soul. Don't let cooking on rainy days get complicated. Sometimes the simplest recipes give the most pleasure. So the next time it rains, make one of these dishes and sit by the window and listen to the magic that food plays with the sound of raindrops in the background.

If you should liked these recipes, do share this article with your friends and family on social media. It just might make someone else want to try it on rainy day cooking too. And don't forget to subscribe blog for more such easy and homely recipes.