This winter I prepared special “Chana Saag Thali”. It is a wholesome and comforting meal that celebrates seasonal flavours and traditional cooking. It consists of soft Steamed Rice served with nourishing Chana Saag, rich in warmth and earthy taste.
On the side, Carrot Bhujia adds a mild sweetness, while a fresh Muli (Radish) Salad brings crunch and freshness. Fresh Green Chana Pakoda completes the thali with a crispy, protein-rich treat, making this platter balanced, hearty and perfect for cold winter days.
Chickpea greens along with bathua (Chenopodium album) always brings back my childhood memories of Bihar. I clearly remember my grandmother sitting on the terrace in the bitterly cold January weather, carefully cleaning and chopping these fresh winter greens under winter sun. We would even eat our lunch there on the terrace, wrapped in warm sunlight, enjoying simple homemade food.
Those days felt slow, pure, and full of warmth despite the cold, such beautiful moments that remain deeply engraved in my heart as truly memorable days.
In Mumbai, chana saag is easily available during winter, and I often prepare this seasonal Bihari thali at home. Cooking and eating this meal takes me straight back to my childhood days, filled with simple food and warm family moments. The familiar taste and aroma reconnect me with those memories of Bihar, making each winter meal not just nourishing, but deeply emotional and comforting.
Bihari Winter Thali (Chana Saag- Bhaat Thali) consists of
- Steamed Rice
- Chana Saag
- Carrot Bhujia
- Radish Salad/ Fresh Salad
- Fresh Green Chana Pakoda ( Fresh Green Chickpeas Fritters)
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Bihari Winter Thali (Chana Saag- Bhaat Thali) by Nag Ratna Sahu is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.