Winter produce, rich roasts, fragrant herbs, warming spices, and slow-cooked dishes create a sense of togetherness. There’s a joy in layering flavours that feel both festive and familiar — the crispness of winter greens, the sweetness of glazed root vegetables, the aroma of rosemary and thyme, and the comfort of dishes cooked with patience and heart.
For instance, caramelised onion, cranberry and jalapeño cheese vol-au-vents bring out loads of happiness while making them. As the onions slowly caramelise, the kitchen fills with that deep, sweet scent that feels like instant coziness. Then comes the buttery puff pastry warming in the oven — a smell almost universally tied to comfort and anticipation. I love working with golden onions, ruby-red cranberries, and bright green flecks of jalapeño. It’s like assembling tiny edible jewels. Even before they’re baked, they look cheerful and festive, and that visual brightness can lift your mood before you take a single bite. Sweet, tart, spicy, creamy, buttery — it’s a little adventure in each bite, and preparing them gives a sense of delightful creativity.
Here are some recipes for you to try:
- Spicy Prawn Har Gow courtesy of Takchung Lepcha, Chef and Director, Hunaaan.
- Roasted Pumpkin Soup courtesy of Sukesh Krishnan, Executive Chef at Gateway Bekal.
- Green Garlic Goat Cheese Tartlets courtesy of Chef Virendra Rawat, Good Food Concept.
- Black and White Quinoa Salad courtesy of Sunil Kumar Panduranga Raj, Executive Sous Chef, Sheraton Grand Bangalore Hotel at Brigade Gateway.
Read the full story that first appeared in Deccan Chronicle and Asian Age dated Dec 29, 2025 here:
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