Soupy Doodles

The former is a Maratha specialty place that serves two clear soups suffused with cinnamon,bay leaves,cloves and garam masala to beat the cold. The lentil soup here teeters on the thin line between watery soup and dal,but leaves a great after taste. The non-veg versions are broths with a lightly flavoured liquid full of natural oils. Such simply simmered chicken and mutton preprations are the best solutions to all episodes of being ‘under the weather’.

“Winter is the time when you can avail of rare herbs like basil and parsley,and vegetables like broccolli and zucchini. When added to soups they help in maintaining a healthy diet regime. Moreover,mint and coriander are very effective in tackling health issues. Mushroom,the only vegetable containing vitamin D,is also in demand during winters,” says Devyani Parekh of Manali cooking classes. “Also,the Kashmiri Kesar soup helps keep the body warm,active and fresh.” So this is the time to tune into the Sweet Corn soup,Roasted Cauliflower soup,Tomato Orange soup,Fresh Onion soup,Carrot and Tomato soup and Chinese Manchow soup,apart from the staple Tomato Cream soup of course.

“A lesser-known fact about soups is that they have a high medicinal value. Garlic,ginger and lemon grass help in the digestion process. When added to soups they reflect on the well-being of the individual. Persons with low blood pressure derive great benefit from the usage of these edible plant stems,” says Rajiv Das,chef at Mainland China. “La meit and hotpot soups make for complete meals in themselves. Non-vegetarians have the option of having additional soups like crab meat,squid,crab claws and chicken bones that give warmth to the body.”