9 comforting amla dishes ideal for winter months

Amla, also known as Indian gooseberry, is a very popular winter food. It is a powerhouse of nutrients, which is also Ayurveda-approved for its medicinal benefits. Mostly considered for chutneys, this winter produce can be used to make many comforting winter dishes. Rich in vitamin C, polyphenols, flavonoids, and tannins, it is a fruit that is beneficial for people of all age groups. As per the Journal of Medicinal Food, 2006, the high vitamin C content and polyphenols of amla help improve white blood cell function. It also helps reduce oxidative stress, and protects cells from premature aging, inflammation, and chronic disease. Take a look at these comforting amla dishes that one can make at home and enjoy during winter months.

This is a traditional slow-cooked amla dish, where the pricked amla pieces are slow-cooked in sugar or jaggery syrup. It is soothing, energising, and great for immunity.

This is a warm, peppery South Indian soup-like dish made with moong dal, amla, turmeric, and salt which is further boiled with a concoction made with water, coriander leaves, garlic, green chilli, and black pepper. It goes well with idli, vada, or steamed rice as well.

This is one of the most popular amla dishes enjoyed during winter months. Made with a mortar and pestle or in a mixer grinder, this condiment uses amla, coconut, ginger, coriander leaves, garlic, and green chillies as key ingredients. Top it with raw mustard oil for added flavour.

This dish is made with boiled amla, which is cooked with mustard seeds, red chillies, and sesame oil. It is a thick relish that pairs wonderfully with hot rice and ghee.

To make this main course dish, simply boil amla and cut into dices and then cook in a temper of oil, cumin seeds, fennel seeds, and hing along with onion and spices. Add a hint of sugar or jaggery to reduce the bitterness of amla and enjoy with roti.

This is an instant pickle, where the steamed amla pieces are dunked in hot mustard oil, along with cumin pwoder, mustard seeds powder, coriander powder, mango powder, turmeric, chilli powder, and salt. It has a shelf-life of 7-10 days.

This is a breakfast delight for those who love to have a healthy beginning of the day. All you need to do is mix grated amla into whole wheat dough along with spices and onion, roll out paratha, cook on a tawa using ghee and enjoy with curd and pickle.

This is a winter-friendly main course dish best enjoyed with steamed rice. To make this, you need to make classic kadhi with buttermilk,spices, and besan, and then add grated amla and simmer until amla is cooked well. Enjoy for lunch or dinner.

This is one of the most popular herbal drinks made with water, amla, ginger, and tulsi leaves. All you need to do is, boil them together and strain and add honey for sweetness. It is ideal for chilly mornings and boosting immunity.

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