Food is the easiest way for you to travel the world without packing a bag. A cosy bowl of broth, a slow-cooked curry, or a fragrant roast can easily take you to another country, its winters and comfort rituals. Around the world, people deal with the cold weather in similar ways, like gathering around the bubbling hot pots, sharing steaming hot pots, and sipping soups till the last drop. Yet every part of the world has its own story to add during the winter season, such as wine-rich French stews, spice-laden Kashmiri lamb rogan josh, smoky Hungarian paprika, and soft Japanese broths.
Testing global non-veg dishes in winter is not just about 'tasting something new', but it is about breaking the pattern of the same masala chicken, egg curry or mutton curry and discovering fresh flavour combinations, and that little joy when a new dish becomes your favourite. These recipes bring the different parts of the world right to your dining table, which is perfect for nights when you desire more than just dinner.
French Coq au Vin, France
It is a slow-cooked French classic that is prepared with chicken braised in red wine, onions, mushrooms, and herbs. The meat turns soft, absorbing deep, winey flavours and a glossy, spicy sauce. Filled with mashed potatoes or crusty bread, it is like a restaurant-style comfort meal prepared at home. During the winter season, the warmth of the stew, the richness of the gravy, and the fragrance of garlic and thyme make it a perfect dish to relish over a cold winter evening.
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Lamb Rogan Josh, Kashmir
Rogan Josh is a Kashmiri curry in which lamb pieces are boiled gently in a gravy which is prepared of yoghurt, onions, and aromatic spices like fennel (saunf) and Kashmiri red chilli. The outcome is soft, tender pieces of meat in a rich, red, lightly spicy sauce that warms you from within without being too harsh on the taste buds. Pair it with steamed rice or soft naan, and lamb and rogan josh is an ideal meal to enjoy in winter evenings when you crave something indulgent, aromatic, with each bite carrying mild heat and depth.
Beef Goulash, Hungary
Hungarian goulash is a hearty beef stew prepared with pieces of meat, onions, paprika, potatoes, and occasionally some carrots. The paprika gives a smoky, lightly sweet warmth, whereas the long boiling gives the beef a melt-in-the-mouth texture. Served with bread, noodles, or rice, it feels like a cosy hug served in a bowl. During the winter season, beef goulash can be a go-to meal because it’s filling, soothing, and the spicy blend of paprika and garlic fills the whole house with an aroma of winter comfort.
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Japanese Chicken Hot Pot, Nabe
Nabe is a Japanese-style hot pot in which chicken pieces are boiled with tofu, mushrooms, leafy greens, and noodles in a light soy–dashi stew. It is not heavy but extremely satisfying, with clean, gentle flavours that feel wholesome on cold winter days. You fill steaming hot broth and tender chicken pieces into bowls as you eat them, making it more of an experience than just a feast. During the winter session, this bubbling hot pot at the centre of the table feels sociable, warming, and quietly restorative
Moroccan Lamb Tagine, Morocco
Lamb tagine is a slow-cooked dish prepared with lamb pieces, dried fruits such as apricots or prunes, onions, and warm spices like cinnamon, cumin, and coriander. The meat turns pull-apart soft, and the gravy perfectly balances the savoury, sweet, and light spicy notes. Served with couscous (salad) or flatbread, every bite feels elegant without being too fussy. During the winter season, the gentle sweetness of dried fruits and the warmth of spices make Moroccan lamb extremely comforting and a fragrant escape in a bowl.
(Image credit: Freepik)