As the winter chill sets in, the search for hearty, warming food begins. Celebrity chef Sanjeev Kapoor, a stalwart of Indian cuisine, has turned the spotlight on the comforting and vibrant flavours of Gujarat, perfect for the colder months. In a recent feature, Kapoor highlighted how Gujarati cuisine masterfully balances contrasts—sweet and sour, soft and crunchy—while making clever use of seasonal produce and spices to create dishes that are both nourishing and deeply satisfying.
Sanjeev Kapoor's Curated Winter Menu from Gujarat
Chef Kapoor emphasizes that Gujarati meals are traditionally built around what's fresh and in season. The winter repertoire is particularly enriched with greens and robust spices designed to provide warmth. He has shared a selection of his favourite dishes that embody this philosophy, offering home cooks a chance to bring authentic Gujarati comfort to their tables.
1. The Irresistible Street Snack: Dabeli
Often called the Gujarati cousin of the burger, Dabeli is a flavour-packed snack that is a feast for the senses. Kapoor's recipe involves stuffing soft buns (pav) with a spiced potato mixture made using a special dabeli masala powder. The magic lies in the layering of chutneys—red chilli-garlic, sweet date-tamarind, and green chutney—before the stuffed bun is grilled to a crisp, golden perfection. The final garnish of pomegranate pearls, fine sev, peanuts, and fresh coriander adds bursts of texture and freshness, making it an irresistible treat.
2. The Steamed Delight: Khaman Dhokla
A globally recognised Gujarati staple, Khaman Dhokla is a light, fluffy, and steamed snack made from gram flour (besan) and yogurt. Kapoor's method involves creating a smooth batter, leavened with fruit salt for its characteristic airy texture, and steaming it to perfection. The dish is elevated with a hot tempering (tadka) of mustard seeds, sesame, curry leaves, and green chillies poured over it. This sweet-and-savoury cake is a healthy, protein-rich option often enjoyed with green chutney.
3. The Savoury Cake: Handvo
Handvo is a savoury baked or steamed cake that is a complete meal in itself. According to Kapoor's recipe, it combines rice and lentils (green gram, black gram, Bengal gram) with a medley of winter vegetables like bottle gourd, carrots, and zucchini. The coarse batter is spiced with ginger-green chilli paste, turmeric, and red chilli powder before being baked. The baked cake is then pan-fried for a delightful crispy exterior, resulting in a dish that is soft inside, crunchy outside, and packed with nutrition.
4. The Winter Specialty: Undhiyo
Undhiyo is the crown jewel of Gujarati winter cuisine, a complex and aromatic mixed vegetable casserole. Kapoor describes preparing this dish as a labour of love. It features seasonal produce like purple yam, raw bananas, baby brinjals, and surti papdi (broad beans). The vegetables are layered with a fragrant paste of coconut, coriander, and green garlic. The dish is uniquely complemented by deep-fried fenugreek dumplings called muthiyas, which are added during the cooking process. Traditionally cooked in an earthen pot, it is a celebratory dish that warms you from the inside out.
5. The Soothing Classic: Gujarati Kadhi
No Gujarati meal is complete without Kadhi, a soothing yogurt-based curry. Kapoor's version is a slightly sweet and tangy soup tempered with spices like mustard seeds, cumin, cloves, and cinnamon. Unlike its Punjabi counterpart, Gujarati Kadhi uses gram flour (besan) to lightly thicken the spiced yogurt broth. Kapoor adds vegetables like radish and potato, finishing with a ripe banana for a touch of natural sweetness. Served with rice, it is the ultimate comfort food for a chilly day.
Bringing Gujarati Warmth Home This Winter
Sanjeev Kapoor's selection goes beyond mere recipes; it is an invitation to explore a culinary tradition designed for harmony and seasonality. These dishes, with their intelligent use of spices, tempering techniques, and fresh ingredients, showcase why Gujarati food is celebrated for its ability to comfort and delight. This winter, embracing these flavours means bringing a piece of Gujarat's rich culinary heritage into your kitchen, promising meals that are as warming to the soul as they are to the body.
