INDIAN COMFORT FOOD FOR HOMESICK STUDENTS: RECIPES FOR CHOLE BHATURE, ALOO GOBHI, AND MORE

Indian comfort food is such that it makes you happy instantly. Whether you are living away from home or studying in different cities, these are the foods that make you remember your home. 

Indian comfort food is something you can never be bored of having. For homesick students, these comfort foods are always unique. These comfort foods always connect the students to their hometown and homely food.

There could be a variation of Indian comfort foods for everybody. Nowadays, people always stay away from their homes for various purposes like studying, working, and occupation.

Recipes for Common Indian Comfort Food

Aloo Gobhi Recipe

Aloo gobhi recipe is delicious, full of flavors, yet healthy Indian comfort food. This recipe is a beloved dish by everyone. This recipe is full of exciting flavors with the goodness of cauliflower (gobhi) and mushy potatoes (aloo).

Ingredients

• 2 Cups- Potatoes (boiled)
• 2 Cups- Cauliflower florets 
• 2 Tbsp- Oil
• 1 - Onion (medium)
• 1- Tomato (medium)
• ½ Tsp- Cumin seeds
• ½ Tsp- Alco red hot chili powder
• ¼ Tsp- Alco turmeric powder
• 1 Tsp- Alco coriander powder
• 1 Tsp- Alco garam masala
• 1 Tbsp- Kasuri methi
• 1 Tbsp- Ginger-garlic paste
• 1- Green chili
• 2 Tbsp- Coriander leaves
• To Taste- Salt

Instructions

• Heat a pan, add oil, cumin seeds, and let the seeds splutter.
• Add ginger-garlic paste and fry for some time.
• Add the sliced onions and chopped potatoes.
• Keep mixing the ingredients and cover the pan with the lid.
• Add the cauliflower florets, green chilies and fry them for 2-3 minutes.
• Add Alco red hot chili powder, turmeric powder, coriander powder, and garam masala.
• Sprinkle a little water for proper cooking.
• Cover the lid and let the ingredients cook correctly.
• Add salt, and cover the lid again.
• Add the tomatoes and kasuri methi and cook for 5-10 minutes.
• Garnish with fresh coriander and serve with roti, naan, rice, etc.

Matar Mushroom Masala

Experience the culinary excellence of the Indian classic Matar Mushroom Masala. Create this delicious dish at home with white button mushrooms, a range of spices, and green peas. Whether it be lunch or dinner, it makes for a fulfilling meal. Matar Mushroom Masala can also be cooked for special occasions such as birthdays, anniversaries, game nights, and kitty parties. Get together with family and friends and savor this home-cooked delight.

Ingredients

• 200 Gms- Button mushrooms
• 3- Medium tomatoes
• 3 Tbsp- Cooking oil
• 1- Green chili
• ½ Cup- Green peas
• 1- Onion (medium)
• ½ Tsp- Alco red hot chili powder
• 1 Tsp- Coriander powder
• 1 Tsp- Garam masala powder
• ¼ Tsp- Ginger-garlic paste
• Water as required
• To Taste- Salt

Instructions

• Heat a pan, add cooking oil and sliced onions, and saute until golden brown.
• Add ginger-garlic paste, and stir fry until cooked.
• Add chopped tomatoes and chilies to the ingredients in a pan.
• Add Alco turmeric powder, red hot chili powder, and coriander powder.
• Mix well and cook until the oil separates from the masala.
• Add the chopped mushrooms and peas, and add water.
• Add salt and cover the lid of the pan.
• Let the vegetables become soft, and add garam masala to them.
• Serve hot and enjoy with roti, naan, or steamed rice.

Chana Masala Gravy

Chana masala is a typical North Indian gravy recipe that consists of chickpeas and spices added to the chana masala gravy. The spicy tomato-based gravy with a hint of onions is delicious when served with puris, parathas, and steamed or jeera rice.

Ingredients

• 1 Cup- Chana (soaked and boiled)
• 1 Cup- Water
• 2 Tbsp- Cooking oil
• 1- Bay leaf
• 3-4- Dried red chilies
• 1 Tbsp- Ginger-garlic paste
• 1 Tsp- Cumin seeds
• 2- Big sized onions
• 3-4- Green chilies
• 1- Tomato (chopped)
• 1 Tsp- Red chili powder
• 1 Tsp- Alco coriander powder
• ¼ Tsp- Alco turmeric powder
• 1 Tsp- Alco Kashmiri red chili powder
• 1 Tsp- Alco garam masala 
• 1 Cup- Water
• 1 Tbsp- Chopped coriander leaves

Instructions

• Soak the chana overnight.
• Add the soaked chana to the pressure cooker for 3-4 whistles until soft.
• Heat a kadhai/wok, and add cooking oil, bay leaf, and dry red chilies.
• Add cumin seeds, and let the seeds pop.
• Add the sliced onions to the wok, and saute until pinkish-brown.
• Add the chopped tomatoes and boiled chana to the kadhai.
• Add Alco red chili powder, coriander powder, turmeric powder, and Kashmiri red chili powder.
• Mix all the spices with the chana in the wok.
• Add water as required to make gravy.
• Cover the lid of the kadhai and cook for 10 minutes.
• Later sprinkle the garam masala on the gravy, and garnish with coriander leaves.

Butter Paneer Gravy

Butter paneer gravy is the most loved Indian gravy. It consists of succulent paneer cubes dipped in buttery gravy made from tomatoes. This comfort food comes from North India but is available everywhere. 

Ingredients

• 2 Tbsp- Cooking oil
• 100 Gms- Paneer cubes
• 2 Tbsp- Butter
• 4-5- Cloves
• 2- Cardamom
• 2- Big sliced onions
• 1 Tbsp- Ginger-garlic paste
• 1 Inch- Ginger
• 3- Slice tomatoes
• 10-15- Cashews
• 1- Bay leaf
• 1- Green chili
• 1- Onion
• ½ Tsp- Turmeric powder
• 1 Tsp- Red chili powder
• ½ Tsp- Coriander powder
• ¼ Tsp- Alco Cumin powder
• 1 Tsp- Salt
• ½ Tsp- Garam masala
• 1 Cup- Water
• 2 Tbsp- Fresh cream
• 1 Tsp- Kasuri methi
• 2 Tbsp- Freshly chopped coriander

Instructions

• Heat a kadhai, and add cooking oil and butter.
• Add cloves and cardamom, and cook on low flame.
• Add onions and ginger garlic paste.
• Add tomato and cashews and cook for some time.
• Cover the lid and cook properly.
• Blend the ingredients to a smooth paste in the blender jar.
• Heat kadhai and add oil, bay leaf, and chilies. 
• Add onion and saute till pink.
• Add salt, turmeric powder, coriander powder, red chili powder, cumin powder, and garam masala.
• Cook the spices until they become aromatic.
• Add the prepared gravy to the kadhai.
• Add water to make the gravy thin.
• Add fresh cream and paneer cubes.
• Garnish the butter paneer gravy with fresh coriander leaves.

Summing Up

Indian comfort food has an exceptional ability to bring a smile to your face, especially when you are away from home or studying in a distant city. These beloved dishes can produce strong memories for home.

Homely Indian comfort food is an endless source of satisfaction for homesick students, bringing them back to the flavors of their hometowns with every bite. Nowadays, a diverse selection of Indian comfort foods can be found to adapt to everyone who may be away from home due to educational purposes, professional opportunities, or other obligations.