Misal to mug pizza, Team Cosmo shares their go-to comfort food recipes for rainy days

What's better than cancelling plans that you low-key only agreed to under social pressure on a rainy day? A comforting meal that leaves you with absolutely no FOMO. Better yet, one that holds a special place in your heart, leaves you feeling nostalgic, and comes together in under 20 minutes. Sure, a piping hot cup of chai or coffee fits right in during monsoon season, but the recipes that make you do a happy dance and feel at home, even when you're away from home, are what rainy days are really all about.

Part of the reason I love the monsoons so much is that it reminds me of the days my mum would occasionally let us skip school and then whip up the best snacks: bhavnagri chillies stuffed with cheese, onion pakodes, cutlet poie, street-style pizza, French fries, and, of course, Maggi. Now that I'm an adult, I find myself going back to those same recipes, along with a few of my own, every time the skies turn grey. The joy of cooking and eating something easy, delicious, and genuinely comforting never gets old. 

As it turns out, the rest of Team Cosmo feels exactly the same. So we rounded up the monsoon comfort food recipes we keep making on repeat in hopes that maybe you’d want to try some of them too.

Schenelle Dsouza, junior features editor

Spicy red sauce pasta 

I make this creamy red sauce vodka pasta but without the vodka. I make it so often because it's simple, very few ingredients, and so delicious. The sauce is a tomato puree reduced in a pan till it’s a thick paste, then stir in some heavy cream, a little cheese, lots of Italian seasoning, and chilli flakes because I like a bit of heat. One of the reasons this is my go-to is because it was one of the first proper meals I learnt to make as a teenager when I'd come home from college hungry and wanted something yummy without spending hours in the kitchen. Trust me, it's rich, creamy, full of flavour, and somehow feels a lot fancier than it sounds!

Tanmay Ashar, social media manager

Misal with onion bhajiyas

For me, monsoon means family road trips to Lonavala, Karjat, and Mahabaleshwar, where one stop was always non-negotiable: a steaming plate of misal and crispy onion bhajiyas at Buvanchi Misal. When we couldn't travel, my mum recreated it at home, and that's how I learnt to make it too. Now it's my rainy-day ritual. I cook sprouted matki in a spicy onion-tomato gravy with Maharashtrian spices, then top it with farsan, chopped onions, coriander, and plenty of lemon. On the side, I fry crispy onion bhajiyas with besan, ajwain, and green chillies. Add a cup of hot masala chai, and that's monsoon on a plate.

Shreya Shah, assistant editor

Chilly cheese toast

My go-to is a childhood favourite: chilly cheese toast. A dollop of butter on either side of the bread, pieces of sliced cheese broken over it, and studded with the brightest and spiciest green chillies that you can find. Pop it in the oven till it’s pillowy-soft on top and crispy below, and it’s best enjoyed with an equally decadent hot chocolate or cold coffee.

Yash Shah, video editor

Cheesy three-egg omelette

My comfort meal is a cheesy three-egg omelette that's high in protein, packed with flavour, and comes together in minutes. I whisk three eggs, pour them into a hot buttered pan, season with salt, pepper, and chilli flakes, then finish with a generous layer of mozzarella. Cover it for about 30 seconds until the cheese turns perfectly gooey, then serve it with buttery toast. Simple, spicy, cheesy, and exactly what I want on a rainy day.

Rucha Sharma, managing editor

Pithla-bhaat

Monsoon is about coffee and pakode in my household, but there's an even comfier combination that makes the rainy days even more perfect for me. Having lived in Pune for a while, walking up Sinhagad Fort, taking in the view, and enjoying good pithla-bhakri at the little shanties up the fortress was a good Sunday. I have my own version of it now that troubling my knees too much for a hike is no longer on my itinerary: Pithla-bhaat, instead of Pithla bhakri. 

This savoury porridge is a Maharashtrian delicacy. You need gram flour and some water to make the batter. Saute some onions in a pan until translucent to add some texture. Add the batter and stir the mixture until there are no lumps. Cover the pan and cook it for another five minutes. Make a tempering of mustard seeds, cumin seeds, chopped garlic, and curry leaves. Remove the cover of the pan, add the tempering, and enjoy pithla with warm rice.

Sidhi Goel, Social media executive

Bhutta

Growing up, monsoon meant my parents would always stop at a roadside bhutta stall. Now, if I can't go out, I just roast one at home, rub it with lemon, salt, and chilli, and pretend I'm standing in the rain. Not the same vibe, but definitely fewer mosquitoes.

Santya Ahuja, fashion writer

Banana bread latte

I love a good iced beverage, and my banana bread latte is the perfect mix of my favourite dessert and coffee. I'm definitely not the best person in the kitchen, so I stick to making my iced drinks and this one has quickly become my newest obsession. I drink decaf, so I use a shot of decaf espresso mixed with a little brown sugar, a pinch of salt, and a tad bit of honey. On the side, mix your choice of milk (I use oat) with half a smashed banana and a splash of vanilla extract. Honestly, give that mixture a whiff; it’s heaven.

Then pour the coffee and banana milk over a glass of ice, give it a good stir, and enjoy. Trust me, this is such a good pick-me-up. I genuinely wait to come home from work to make it, and sometimes I even make it before work if I have enough time. Thank me later!

PS: It tastes better in a cute glass.

Zinobia Mishra, editorial intern

Bread pizza 

Bread pizza is my comfort food because it reminds me of rainy afternoons at home. My mom taught me how to make it years ago, and it’s become my lazy day staple ever since. I love that you can use whatever is in the fridge, onions, corn, leftover veggies, lots of cheese (because I love cheese), and have something delicious ready in under 10 mins with a cup of chai on the side. For me, it’s the perfect monsoon meal.

Ananya Sampat, editorial intern

Mug pizza

Mug pizza is hands-down my go-to snack. It takes like two to three minutes to make, so it's perfect for those nights when I just want to curl up with a movie, or even when I'm doing my skincare routine and want a little something to munch on while I'm in my own world.

All you need is some veggies, cheese, and whole wheat flour; mix it up, put it in the microwave for two minutes, and your pizza is ready. There's something so satisfying about having a warm, cheesy pizza ready in minutes without any of the effort. It's basically my favourite way to unwind and just enjoy some me-time.

Eden Noronha, features editor

Parma ham sourdough sandwich

I'm game for a meaty sandwich at any given time, so much so that I realised I can't keep frequenting those bougie Bandra sandwich joints every time a craving hits. So I did what any reasonable adult with a completely unreasonable obsession for loaded sandwiches would do: I bought the ingredients.

This particular sando is even more special because it's inspired by one of my favourite pizzas, which has sadly disappeared from the menu at my go-to spot. Buttery toasted sourdough bread loaded with melty cheese, ribbons of Prosciutto, crunchy arugula, and juicy tomato. The secret ingredient, though, is chopped prunes drizzled with chilli oil. I know it’s weird, but that's exactly what the pizza had, and somehow the sweet heat just works. Bonus: drop in some feta or spread some blue cheese or drizzle some leftover chimichurri sauce, or whatever’s in the fridge.

Who needs to step out when you've got this?

Lead image: Pexels

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