Moong Dal Cheela
Often called a desi pancake, the moong dal cheela is a light, nutritious, and incredibly satisfying option for a rainy day. Made from a batter of soaked yellow moong dal, it is both gluten-free and packed with protein. The batter is easy to prepare; simply
soak the lentils for a few hours or overnight, then grind them with ginger, green chillies, and cumin seeds. You can add finely chopped onions, tomatoes, and coriander to the batter for extra flavour and texture. Cooked on a hot tawa until golden brown, these savoury pancakes are soft, delicious, and easy to digest, making them a perfect start to a lazy monsoon morning. Serve them hot with a side of mint chutney or pickle.
Masala Oats Upma
Give the classic breakfast a healthy and savoury twist with masala oats. This dish transforms simple oats into a hearty, upma-style meal that feels both modern and traditional. It’s a quick one-pot recipe, ideal for those mornings when you’re short on time but craving something warm. To make it, sauté mustard seeds, curry leaves, onions, and your favourite chopped vegetables like carrots, peas, and beans. Add spices like turmeric and chilli powder, then stir in rolled oats and water, and cook until the mixture thickens into a porridge-like consistency. The result is a flavourful and fibre-rich breakfast that will keep you energised throughout the day.
Paneer Bhurji
For a protein-packed and indulgent breakfast, look no further than paneer bhurji. This popular North Indian dish of scrambled cottage cheese is quick to prepare and incredibly versatile. It’s made by sautéing onions, tomatoes, ginger, and green chillies with spices like turmeric, garam masala, and chilli powder. Crumbled paneer is then added and cooked until it absorbs all the aromatic flavours. The dish comes together in just a few minutes, resulting in a spicy, savoury scramble that pairs wonderfully with toast, pav, or rotis. It’s the kind of comforting, rich breakfast that feels like a warm hug on a grey, rainy day.
Savory Masala French Toast
Move over, sweet French toast. The Indian version, often called ‘Bombay toast’, is a savoury delight that hits all the right notes on a cool morning. Instead of cinnamon and sugar, slices of bread are dipped into an egg mixture seasoned with finely chopped onions, tomatoes, green chillies, coriander, and a pinch of turmeric and garam masala. Pan-fried in a little ghee or butter until golden and crisp, these toasts are bursting with flavour. They are a fantastic way to use up bread that’s a day or two old and transform it into a quick, exciting, and filling meal. Enjoy it as is or with a side of ketchup for a tangy kick.
Aloo Paratha
No list of comfort food breakfasts would be complete without the king of North Indian breakfast dishes: the aloo paratha. This unleavened whole wheat flatbread is stuffed with a flavourful mixture of spiced mashed potatoes, herbs, and seasonings. While it requires a bit more effort, the reward is a perfectly crisp, flaky paratha with a soft, steamy interior. The key is a soft dough and a well-seasoned, lump-free potato filling. Pan-roasted with a generous amount of ghee until golden-brown spots appear, aloo parathas are the ultimate monsoon indulgence. Serve them fresh off the tawa with a dollop of white butter, a side of plain curd, or some tangy pickle for a truly memorable meal.
