As the winter chill sets in, few things can lift deflated spirits quite like a deep bowl of steaming, restorative soup. Ravinder Bhogal, the acclaimed chef and food writer, shares three soul-warming recipes that promise to banish the blues with their rich flavours and comforting textures. These dishes are designed to warm you from the inside out, offering a cosy escape from the icy January weather.
Khao Swe: A Burmese Noodle Soup Sensation
Khao swe is a traditional Burmese noodle soup that combines a hot coconut broth with springy noodles and an array of vibrant garnishes. This dish is a true feast for the senses, featuring ingredients like boiled eggs, peanuts, and crisp shallots that add layers of texture and taste. For those looking to adapt the recipe, Bhogal suggests swapping the poultry for vegetables such as pumpkin or tofu, or even seafood like prawns, making it versatile for various dietary preferences.
Ingredients and Method
To prepare this delightful soup, you will need a blend of aromatic spices and fresh ingredients. The base starts with neutral oil, cinnamon, and star anise, sautéed with red onions until caramelised. Garlic, ginger, chilli, lemongrass, and makrut lime leaves are then added to build a fragrant foundation. A mix of chilli powder, turmeric, and gram flour is toasted before incorporating chicken stock and coconut milk. The soup simmers with chicken thighs until tender, then is finished with fish sauce, lime juice, and palm sugar for a balanced sweet-and-sour note. Serve over cooked rice or egg noodles, garnished generously with crisp shallots, peanuts, coriander, spring onions, hard-boiled eggs, and lime wedges.
Sweet-and-Sour Peanut Dal with Pappardelle
Inspired by Gujarati dal dhokla, this recipe offers a unique twist by pairing creamy toor dal with pappardelle pasta. The dish is a hearty blend of earthy lentils, peanuts, and a tempering of spices like mustard seeds, cumin, and curry leaves. It's a comforting fusion that brings together the best of Indian flavours with Italian pasta, creating a satisfying meal perfect for cold evenings.
Preparation Steps
Begin by cooking toor dal with turmeric, chilli, and peanuts until soft and mushy. In a separate pan, prepare a tempering with coconut oil, mustard seeds, asafoetida, and curry leaves, then add cumin, cinnamon, cloves, ginger, garlic, and chillies. Stir in tomato puree, fresh tomatoes, tamarind paste, and jaggery, simmering until fragrant. Combine this mixture with the cooked lentils, adjust the consistency with water, and season with salt and lime juice. Serve over freshly cooked pappardelle, topped with chopped coriander and red onions for a burst of freshness.
Cheat's Dumpling Soup: Flavour Without the Fuss
For those short on time but craving the comfort of dumpling soup, this recipe delivers all the big flavours with minimal effort. Using pre-made chicken ramen broth and dumpling wrappers, it simplifies the process without compromising on taste. The dumplings are filled with a savoury mix of shiitake mushrooms, pork, and aromatic herbs, simmered to perfection in a ginger-infused broth.
Easy Assembly
Start by simmering chicken ramen broth with light soy sauce, ginger, and spring onions. For the dumplings, blend shiitake mushrooms, coriander, spring onions, ginger, and sesame oil, then mix with minced pork and season. Roll into small balls and gently drop into the simmering broth, cooking until done. Add halved dumpling wrappers for a quick cook, then ladle into bowls and serve with chilli oil for an extra kick. This dish is ideal for a quick, warming meal that feels indulgent yet is straightforward to prepare.
These recipes from Ravinder Bhogal are more than just meals; they are a celebration of winter comfort food, designed to bring joy and warmth to your table. Whether you're a fan of spicy Burmese soups, hearty dal dishes, or easy dumpling soups, there's something here to satisfy every craving and brighten even the coldest days.
