Winter conjures up sensations of all things warm and hearty. The comfort of a pair of fluffy socks worn around the house. The arresting sight and unmistakable crackling of a fire roaring in the living room. The smell of a delicious meal cooking slowly in the oven.
To celebrate the beginning of winter, we are sharing some of our residents’ favourite cool-weather recipes. As the quilts and blankets come back out, so too do these culinary gems.
Warm winter beef salad
- Cover a few pieces of steak in olive oil, garlic, lemon rind, salt and pepper and grill them until cooked to your liking. Once cooked, remove from the heat and allow them to rest before cutting into thick slices.
- Wash and chop some winter vegetables (leek, beetroot, sweet potato, pumpkin etc.). Season and put into the oven to roast until edges are caramalised.
- Prepare a dressing that is half balsamic vinegar, half olive oil. Season with salt, pepper and a clove of crushed garlic.
- Place some baby spinach onto a serving tray. Top with the warm vegetables, sliced meat and dressing.
Chicken and lentil soup
- Heat a couple of tablespoons of olive oil in a large pot over low heat. Cook a couple of brown onions and a few cloves of garlic until soft and golden.
- Add 2 chopped carrots, 2 chopped potatoes, half a chopped head of broccoli, 2 chopped zucchini, 2 chopped sticks of celery and any other seasonal vegetables of your choosing to the pot. Stir to mix with the onion mixture. Add in a cup of rinsed green lentils.
- Roughly chop 2-3 chicken thighs and add to the pot. Mix everything well to combine.
- Add chicken stock to cover all ingredients. Add fresh parsley, fresh thyme, salt and pepper.
- Allow to cook slowly, half covered, for at least 1.5 hours or until chicken is beginning to break apart. Add additional water as required. Serve with fresh crusty bread.
