5 comfort foods to keep you warm this winter

From 'Malai kofte' to 'Gajar ka halwa', these recipes are bound to warm you up even on the coldest of days

Since it's time to say goodbye to ice cream and slushies for the time being, we've compiled a list of the best winter comfort foods from Butteroverbae to satiate your tastebuds. With the perfect blend of savoury and sweet dishes, these recipes are bound to warm you up even on the coldest of days and chilliest of nights.

1. Gajar ka halwa – Carrot pudding

When we talk about comfort food in winter, gajar ka halwa might be the first choice for many. The chewy carrot pudding provides the perfect combination of health and warmth needed on a cold winter night. The cherry on top? It’s also the best way to utilise carrots, a winter season vegetable. The hearty traditional dessert is made with ghee (clarified butter), milk, sugar and grated carrot, and garnishes such as khoya, slivered almonds and cardamom pods to give more flavour to the dish.

2. Crispy and spicy fried fish

Nothing is better than having spicy food for dinner in the cold breeze! Not only is it healthy, but also plays a key role in thermoregulation, a process that helps maintain your body's internal temperature, especially during winter. For Pakistanis, the ultimate spicy meal is fried fish. It has everything we love, the crispy and crunchy top layer, alongside a mouthwatering fish with tons of masala. It also pairs so well with daal chawal (lentils and rice), a staple Pakistani dish. Furthermore, if you are not a fan of oily foods, you can air fry or bake your fish!

3. Rose and honey milk cake

You should definitely try making this dish no matter the season since it is really delicious and also quite an easy recipe to follow! The first step is to bake the honey cake, then pierce it with a million holes right away. Afterwards, douse the cake with honey and rose syrup. Whip some cream, crumble some cashews, and sprinkle over some dried rose petals for garnish! Ta-da! Now you can make your own rose-honey milk cake anytime!

4. Malai Kofte – Creamy chicken meatball curry

Okay, we know what you're thinking: “I have this all year round.” But just hear out the dish's recipe before passing your judgements. It's a bit different than our usual favoured red spicy kofte, yet, it is still scrumptious! All you require is to cook a white creamy curry base with meatballs and a delicious Pakistani-style garnish to bring the dish to the next level. This is fusion food at its finest!

5. Hot and sour soup

It's not winter if soup isn't served on the dining table. It's tradition for every household to have chicken soup at night as it's the healthiest and yummiest meal to have on the go. Although hot and sour soup is cooked similarly to other recipes, the main addition is the red chili sauce and chicken broth; it's mixed with many flaming hot spices and then mixed with tomato ketchup. Yeah, if that doesn’t keep you warm, nothing will!

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