Being stuck inside home is not something anyone of us anticipated. With so many things going on, the last thing we need is to feel stressed about our next meal. Sometimes, little is more and there are a few desi comfort foods that describe that feeling the best.

And, often, these desi foods can beat even the highest luxury of a five star meal.

That said, let us jot down some of the best ones from the list.

1- Toast and malai

               (Image source from: telegraphindia.com)

The best thing about desi food is the simplicity it hones. Toast and malai is a combination that you just can’t forego.

The combination is a hit among the daily office goers and even if not, you can just whip some up at home and eat it with some granulated sugar for that extra kick of oomph.

You can find the recipe here

2- Cheeni roti with ghee

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If you have grown up during the 90s, you’d know the significance of cheeni roti with ghee. This is a dish that is not that prevalent in the current date but let’s be honest, you just can’t be the homely taste it brings.

The caramelised sticky goodness on the roti and the aromatic and rich taste of ghee blends together like nothing else.

If you want the best form of desi delicacy, make it yourself at home.

Check out the recipe here

3- Aloo paratha with pickle

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When it comes round to a comfort food on the gloomy rainy days, nothing can beat the combination of aloo paratha with pickle. Making a stuffed paratha can be a tedious task but trust me, all you need is the right recipe and you can make it too.

The blend of the spices in the stuffing with the freshly chopped onions, chillies and coriander gives it that necessary kick of freshness.

You can find the recipe here

4- Rajma Chawal

              (Image source from: maunikagowardhan.co.uk)

When it comes to some heart lunch ideas for your self isolation days, you can’t go wrong with Rajma chawal. This hearty combination of kidney beans stewed in a thick onion and tomato gravy with freshly cooked rice will remind you of your mom’s cooking that you have grown up eating.

This is one of those dishes that are amazing from meal prep too. So, in case you feel lazy, you can just make a big batch and enjoy it throughout the day.

You can find the recipe here

5- Bread Pakora

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While you are stuck inside home during the lockdown missing the “Nukkad wale chai ki tapri” on a rainy day, the best accompaniment to that perfect cup of tea is Bread Pakora. You don’t have to eat healthy all the time, so give up the facade every once in a while, especially when you have something like bread pakora in front of you.

You can find the recipe here

6- Suji ka halwa

              (Image source from: vegrecipesofindia.com)

Listen, we need a fix of dessert every once in a while and what better than a steaming hot bowl of suji ka halwa topped with some chopped dry fruits.

If you want the homely and delectable taste of the dish, we would suggest that you get your dessert done in some ghee and not oil. Be reckless every once in a while. It is okay to not eat healthy all the way. And, to be fair, ghee is quite healthy for you too.

You can find the recipe here

7- Masala Maggi

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It doesn’t necessarily matter whether you like noodle or not, when we are talking about Indian comfort food, it is hands down a necessity that you include masala maggi to the list. This is a staple in every Indian household and let’s be honest, we did the taste, even though we know it is not the most nutritious meal.

If possible, add in some mixed vegetables to the mix to make the dish “healthier”.

You can find the recipe here.

8- Momos (with the sauce)

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Now, before you jump the guns, I am personally not a very big fan of the sauce that you get with momos but to be honest, the combination is what makes this desi dish a comfort food. It is extremely spice, delectable and let’s be honest, its not that bad for your health too.

And, you can change it up according to your likings, so again, you are on the win.

You can find the recipe here

9- Curd rice with pickle

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If you are anywhere from South India, missing home and your mom’s cooking, you can recreate one of the signature comfort food dishes – Curd rice. This is one of the staples when it comes to South Indian cooking and all for the right reasons.

The cooling taste of the yogurt paired with the tangy taste of the pickle makes for a very good lunch dish during the scorching heat. It is the perfect meal for your lockdown days.

You can find the recipe here.

10- Butter chicken with tandoori naan

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For the non-vegetarian fanatics out there who are looking for some good food for this lockdown phase, you need to get your hands on the butter chicken and tandoori naan recipe. The rich tomato based gravy of the chicken with the flaky and crispy flatbread makes for a winning combination.

And, let’s be honest, butter chicken is meant to be sweet.

You can find the recipe here

11- Parle-G with Chai

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The combination of Parle-G and Chai is a staple, if not anything else. This is a combination that saves the one who doesn’t know cooking and makes people reminisce their nostalgia. And, even if you do curse when the soggy half of the biscuit decides to take a plunge inside your cup of tea, you know deep down how delectable that last portion of the tea is.

You don’t need a recipe for this. Just make a cup of piping hot chai and crack open a packet of Parle-G.

12- Idli and Sambar

              (Image source from: vaya.in)

If you do want to get your hands on something healthy but delectable at the same time, idli sambar is the dish you need in your life.

The white fluffy and versatile idlis are so good for your health but at the same time, so good for your taste palette too. If you want to become adventurous, you can pair your idli with some South Indian style chicken curry but we like to keep things simple and sambar is the way to go.

You can find the recipe here.

13- Bread butter and bhujia

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The combination of bread and bhujia is very underrated. The crunch and spices of the bhujia paired with the soft buttery taste of the bread makes for a killer desi combination. If you want, add in some chopped onions and capsicum too.

You can find the recipe here.

14- Chole Bhature

               (Image source from: theindianclaypot.com)

If Chole Bhature was a religion, I would follow it. This is one of those staples in the must have desi comfort food lists that you just can’t not try.

While you are most definitely missing the taste of them from your local dhaba, try and recreate one at home for an even better taste.

You can find the recipe here.

15- Rabdi and Jalebi

              (Image source from: zaykakatadka.com)

Last but not the least is the combination of cold rabdi paired with steaming hot jalebi. The combination might sound like diabetes on a plate, but trust me, you wouldn’t mind suffering from diabetes once you’ve taste this.

The creamy taste of the rabdi with the crunchy and sticky taste of the jalebi makes for an amazing combination that you just can’t find anywhere else.

You can find the recipe here.

In case you are tired of being stuck at home and want to explore new things around, we would suggest that you try out these amazing desi comfort foods.

By Somapika Dutta