There's something intrusively magical about a rainy day: the drops on the roof, the cool breeze, the cozy atmosphere it dispenses-which tends to make people lock themselves within the four walls of their homes. What better way to enjoy it than over a bowl of hot, comforting food? Certain dishes just have this mystic tendency to make us feel so nostalgic, warm, and relaxed.
Why Comfort Foods are Even More Appealing
When It's Raining
Comfort foods are close to every heart; on a rainy
day, they are especially so. The reason, of course, is psychological: such
types of food remind us of happy moments of our childhood, family gatherings,
or other simple times when a steaming bowl of something delicious cured it all.
Scientifically, the warm meals help elevate our body temperature and thus make
us cozy from inside out.
On gray days when it's cool, surely all of us will
dream about those hearty and warming dishes that comfort us inside out.
Top Comfort Foods for a Rainy Day to
Snuggle-Up with
1. Khichuri with Beef Bhuna
Why It's Comforting: A mix of rice and lentils cooked
together, khichuri is comfort food on a grey, rainy day in Bangladesh - warm,
smooth, and not too tricky to make. It goes great with some spicy beef bhuna.
Quick Recipe Tips: Use aromatic Gobindobhog or Kalijeera rice with Moong dal to make a humble and filling Khichuri. Cook the rice along with a few whole spices like cardamom and bay leaves to give the aromatic feel. It is taken together with the Beef Bhuna, which is prepared rather slowly with some onions, garlic, and masalas until the meat becomes tender and oozing flavors.
2. Panta Bhat with Hilsa Fry
Why It's Appealing: Panta Bhat is basically fermented
rice, eaten with fried Hilsa fish, is one combination consumed in most parts of
Bangladesh during the monsoon. Refreshing and sour, this is a day-to-day rainy
treat if combined with crispy golden Hilsa.
Tips for Panta Bhat Recipe: Soak rice in water
overnight. Serve them chilled next morning with a sprinkle of a pinch of salt
and minced green chilies. Deep fry the Hilsa fishes in turmeric and salt until
crispy, enjoy them with mustard paste, perfectly flavored.
3. Hot Chotpoti and Fuchka
Why it's comforting: Hot plates of Chotpoti and lots
of batches of Fuchkas fried crisp and loaded with spicy, sour chickpea fillings
sum up comfort on a rainy day. The amalgamation of warm and zesty flavors in
every single bite is a treat.
Quick Recipe Tips: Boil the chickpeas along with potatoes for Chotpoti, mix well with onions and green chilies, tamarind water. The boiled egg added gives extra richness to it. Stuffing the crispy shell of the Fuchkas with the same mixture and sprinkling tamarind sauce over it is heavenly.
4. Bhapa Pitha: Rice Cakes (Steamed)
Why It's Comforting: Bhapa pitha is a delicacy in
winter, which tastes a lot like it's part of a rainy day, too. Warm steaming
rice cakes with the beauty of grated coconut and jaggery melting in the mouth
make for sweet comfort.
Quick Recipe Tips: Mix rice flour with water to make
the dough mixture; then fill small portions of the dough with coconut and
jaggery. Steam until tender, then serve hot with a dash of fresh date palm
molasses for that added layer of sweetness.
5. Tea and Shingara
Shingara: Fried snack containing spiced potatoes
inside it; a very classical companion to a steaming cup of tea. The whole
feeling outside the rain, the crunchiness of Shingara, and the warmth in your
tea is simply great.
Quick Recipe Tips Mix flour with ghee and water to
prepare a dough for Shingaras. Stuff these with the spicy mixture of mashed
potatoes, green peas, and peanuts. Fry them until they achieve the golden
color; serve them with hot cups of milky, sweetened tea, perfectly seasoned
with cardamom.
6. Haleem
Why It's Appealing-Haleem: A thick and heavy-to-the-stomach
stew made with wheat, lentils, and meat is just what one needs to warm the
bones on a cold rainy day. For its thickness, heartiness, and high spice level,
it's a food pretty popular in cool rainy weather.
Recipe Instructions: Boil wheat, lentils, and meat together with a mix of various spices, for instance, cumin, coriander, and garam masala. Stew till it cooks down into a thick paste, then top it with fried onions, lemon wedges, and fresh coriander. Serve hot, replenishing with naan or paratha for satiety.
7. Peyaju and Beguni: Lentil Fritter and Fried
Eggplant Slices
-Why It's Comforting: Crispy fried munchies like these
happen to be the ultimate monsoon delight. Piyaju, a mixture of lentils and
onions; Beguni, slices of eggplant in a coat of batter are just perfect to
munch with the sound of rain.
Quick Recipe Tips: Soak the lentils first, then grind
them into coarser paste. Mix well with chopped onions, green chilies, and
coriander leaves. Fry by the spoonful’s in hot oil to golden brown. Beguni:
Deep fry eggplant slices dipped in spiced gram-flour batter until crispy.
Comfort Foods to snack on during a Rainy-Day Ideas Create a relaxed setting:
switch all the lights to dim, light some candles, play your relaxing music, and
have your comfort food by the window while it's drizzling outside. Match these
with activities: reading a good book, binge-watching the newest season of your
favorite show, or having fun with the family over an old board game. Eat
Mindfully: Invest some time in spending over a single bite, savor it, and enjoy
it. At times, let this be the reason to slow down and appreciate all small
things in life.
And then, a rainy day just happens to be the most
sought excuse for indulgence in comfort foods that remind one of home and
warmth. Be it Jhol or khichuri, hot Chotpoti, or a cup of hot tea with Shingaras-the
items have their magic to soothe a gloomy day into a cozy one. Let the rain in;
let comfort foods fill up the belly and glad the heart of people.
Your Turn!
Which of these comfort foods are you making next time
it rains outside? You can leave your favorite recipes or rain-related memories
in the comments below. If you liked this post, then don't forget to share it
with that friend of yours who simply loves a plate of khichuri on a rainy day.
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