I look forward to cold weather for many reasons. I love winter clothes: pulling out my stockings, knits, scarves and layers is like reconnecting with old friends. I like the way that winter gives us permission to hibernate. Short days and icy weather make snuggling at home seem absolutely sensible. And, above all, I love winter food: succulent, warming, sticky and nourishing. As well as simple, slow-cooked comfort food, I also try to up my intake of leafy greens. Smoothies make that so easy.
Here are some of my favourite winter-friendly dishes. I hope you love them and stay healthy and snuggly right through the year.
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Breakfast
Lemon Bomb Smoothie
Chef Jock Zonfrillo shares his family’s formula for an exciting new spin on a green smoothie that’s thick enough to eat with a spoon. Serve it like a smoothie bowl or add more water to create a slurpable consistency.
Matcha Smoothie Bowl
A quick, easy and healthy breakfast that also works as a jarred meal on the go. It also happens to be packed with the goodness of oats, nuts and chia seeds, with a green boost from spinach and matcha, a Japanese green tea powder.
Chai Porridge
With this oat mixture on hand you’re only 6 minutes away from a fabulous breakfast. Two types of ginger and gentle spicing give this porridge a warming and sustaining boost.
Corn Custard with Chicken Congee
Chef Victor Liong’s Chinese rice porridge is just about the most comforting bowl of goodness that you will ever eat. It’s like a hug from the inside and can be served for breakfast or supper.
Mains
Thai Beef Ribs with Coconut Rice & Coleslaw
Meat falling off the bone. A rich braising sauce. Coconut rice. A nutty Thai-style coleslaw. This succulent main course is an all-round star – it’s a set and forget meal that is spicy, rich, flavoursome and fragrant with a frisky little salad to keep it lively. Perfect for the cooler months.
Barolo-Braised Beef with Polenta Cremoso
Chef Joseph Vargetto brings us an Italian winner dinner. Red-wine soused beef is caramelised in a pan with mushrooms then Thermomix-braised until it’s melty and succulent. This dish is cooked into submission until it melts to rich tenderness.
Emergency Lentil Soup
Wouldn’t it be good on a busy, chilly day to have a healthy pantry meal always on hand that you could get on the table in 20 minutes? This is that dish. It’s also gluten-free, vegan and super tasty!
Lamb Shank & Barley Casserole
Serve it as a soup or a casserole, this warming, sustaining and filling dish stars succulent lamb with the goodness of barley and greens, and the bright zing of dill oil to add shine and silky texture.
Dessert
Steamed Orange Puddings with Almond Milk Ice Cream
Spilling with wholesome Spanish style, this easy dessert can be made ahead of time. Homemade almond milk stars in the puddings and their dairy-free ice cream accompaniment.
Steamed Pecan Pie Puddings with Salted Caramel Maple Sauce
Classic pecan pie flavours in a springy pudding form. The compulsory stickiness of a traditional pie comes from the gooey maple syrup sauce. Perfect in front of a roaring fire.
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My business card says ‘Writer. Eater. Traveller. Cook.’ I do all these things with equal passion, which is why I’m sometimes sitting at my laptop with an apron on! This is where I share all my best bits of writing, recipes and videos. There are free areas of the site where you can stay up to date with my journalism and get a taste of my cooking adventures. Sign up as a member and you’ll get access to my awesome and ever-growing library of cooking videos and recipes, focusing on Thermomix.
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