We search for ghee, garam masala, and Nani’s large old kadhai in addition to umbrellas when it rains in the hills – Monsoon Season Food .
Inside, something is always simmering—spicy, smoky, and restorative—while the wind outside whistles.
When the clouds approach, Nani’s pantry will be serving a combination of traditional foods, stomach-soothers, and full-blown drama on a plate.
Here’s what Nani’s pantry serves :
- Phaanu
- Gahat ke Paranthe
- Bhatt ki Churkani
- Aloo ke Gutke + Kheere ka Raita
- Lehsun-Tamatar Chutney + Roti Chips
- Jhangore ki Kheer
1. Phaanu – The Original Monsoon Blanket
A hearty lentil dish cooked with a variety of dals, such as arhar or gahat.
It’s slow-cooked and just spicy enough to make you want to eat with your hands while curled up near to a pahadi window.
“Thandi hawa, garam phaanu – aur kya chahiye jeene ke liye?” responds Nani.
2. Gahat ke Paranthe – Spicy & Gut-Friendly
Ghee and sour chutney complement the stuffed horsegram paranthas.
Perfect for times when your heart craves drama but your stomach is uncomfortable.
Nani’s Tips: Enjoy the burp of fulfillment by pairing with buttermilk.
3. Bhatt ki Churkani – Rainy Day Royalty
Slow-cooked black soybeans with garlic, jakhya, and all the tales Nani shares while stirring.
A dish that sticks to your soul rather than to your spoon.
Every Uttarakhandi ever says, “Churkani bina baarish adhuri lagti hai.”
4. Aloo ke Gutke + Kheere ka Raita – Spice & Chill Combo
Hill magic, mustard seeds, and red chilli are combined with crispy potatoes.
This dish is a monsoon love story in two bowls when served with cold cucumber raita.
Pro Tip: Chatting beneath a leaking roof enhances the taste.
5. Lehsun-Tamatar Chutney + Roti Chips – Thunder in a Bowl
This is not a chutney for the faint of heart. It’s garlicky, spicy, and tangy—it’s like pahadi thunder.
Spread it on your emotions or dip roti chips in it.
6. Jhangore ki Kheer – Sweet Ending, Soft Rain
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A delicate barnyard millet pudding that tastes like your childhood rain songs.
Warm, milky, and lightly spiced — no monsoon meal is complete without it.
Bonus: Nani’s Monsoon Magic Tips
For sniffles, roast timur with salt.
Neem-pudina pani for digestion after a rainstorm.
Never refuse a second helping—rain enhances the flavor of food.
Nani opens her cupboard and prepares comfort food from scratch as the city places a Swiggy order for soup.
Not only are these meals comforting, but they also evoke memories of damp firewood, vintage kitchens, and a period when the only weather report we needed was the food.
Tell us about your favorite monsoon dish, or better yet, prepare one right now. Nani gives her approval.
Monsoon Season Food