Best winter recipes

As the weather cools down, warming winter recipes like soups, stews and roast dinners come to the table. Perfect to enjoy with friends and family, or even by yourself on a rainy day.

If you're looking for the best winter recipes to keep you warm for breakfast, lunch or dinner, we've got you covered.

Shakshuka

Image credit: Alex Bayev via Unsplash

Shakshuka is a North African and Middle Eastern dish of baked eggs in a deliciously savoury tomato sauce. It's traditionally a breakfast or lunch dish, but it can also work as a great weeknight dinner.

Time to make: 40 minutes
Serves: 3 as a main, 6 as a side

Ingredients

• 3 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
• 1 large onion, chopped
• 2 green capsicums, chopped
• 2 garlic cloves, chopped
• 1 tsp ground coriander
• 1 tsp sweet paprika
• 1/2 tsp ground cumin
• Pinch chilli flakes (optional)
• Salt and pepper
• 6 medium tomatoes, chopped (about 6 cups chopped tomatoes)
• 1/2 cup tomato sauce
• 6 large eggs
• 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley leaves
• 1/4 cup chopped fresh mint leaves

Method

1. Preheat oven to 180C.

2. Heat olive oil in a large cast iron skillet over medium heat. Add the capsicum, onions, garlic, coriander, paprika, cumin, salt and pepper. Cook for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, or until the vegetables are translucent.

3. Add the tomatoes and tomato sauce, cover and simmer for 15 minutes. Uncover and simmer until the sauce has reduced and has an almost paste-like texture.

4. Make 6 indentations in the tomato mixture and crack an egg into each. Reduce the heat and cook for an extra minute, or until the edges of the egg whites are set.

5. Place the whole skillet in the oven and bake for 7 to 12 minutes, depending on how done you want your eggs.

6. Remove from the oven and sprinkle with parsley and mint. Serve with your bread of choice. We love crusty bread or pita bread.

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Meatballs with Sweet and Sour Sauce

Image credit: Buddy AN via Unsplash

This hearty meatball recipe will be the centrepiece at your dinner table this winter.

Time to make: 20 minutes
Serves: 4

Ingredients

Meatballs

• 600g pre-made meatballs
• 1 tbsp vegetable oil
• 1 small onion, diced
• 1 red capsicum, diced
• 1 cup diced tinned pineapple (reserve juice)
• 2 spring onions, finely sliced
• sea salt
• lime wedges to serve

Sweet and Sour Sauce

• ½ cup brown sugar
• 3 tbsp white vinegar
• 1/4 cup tomato sauce + 1 tbs chilli Sauce
• 2 tbsp soy sauce
• 2/3 cup pineapple juice
• ¼ tsp Chinese five spice
• 3 tsp corn flour mixed with 3 tbsp water (combine in a small bowl and have ready)

Method

Meatballs

1. Heat a large non-stick frypan and add oil. Add the meatballs and cook, turning over so that they don’t burn. Allow to cook on all sides.

2. Move the meatballs to a plate and keep warm. Whilst the pan is still hot, add the onion and capsicum and stir-fry for 2-3 minutes, Add the pineapple and toss through the sweet and sour sauce. Stir-fry until all is combined.

3. Return the meatballs to the sauce and combine.

4. Drizzle the combined corn flour and water mixture a little at a time, until the right consistency is achieved.

Sweet and Sour Sauce

1. In a bowl, add the brown sugar, vinegar, tomato sauce, soy sauce, chilli sauce, pineapple juice, and Chinese five spice.

2. In a pot, combine brown sugar, vinegar, tomato sauce, soy sauce, pineapple juice and Chinese five spice. Simmer for 2 minutes until the sugar has dissolved.

3. Serve with hot jasmine rice and toss through the spring onions.

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Classic Pumpkin Soup

Image credit: Chris Vanhove via Unsplash

Nothing warms you up faster than a big bowl of fresh, homemade pumpkin soup. Add some crusty bread on the side and you've got yourself a meal.

Time to make: 50 minutes
Serves: 6

Ingredients

• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1 white onion, finely chopped
• 1 white part of a leek, finely sliced
• 1 garlic clove, crushed
• 1/2 tsp ground coriander
• 1 tsp ground cumin
• 1/2 tsp ground nutmeg
• 1kg pumpkin, peeled and diced
• 1 large potato, peeled and diced
• 1L chicken or vegetable stock
• 1/2 cup cooking cream

Method

1. Heat oil in a large pot over low heat. Add onion and leek and cook for 2-3 minutes until softened.

2. Add garlic, coriander, nutmeg and cumin. Stir until fragrant then add the pumpkin, potato and stock and bring to the boil.

3. Turn the heat to low and simmer for 30 minutes. Turn off the heat and allow the mixture to cool slightly before blending to the desired texture.

4. Return the soup to the heat, stir through the cream and season to taste. Serve with crusty bread.

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Microwave KANZI® Apple Cinnamon Bun Mug Cake

Image credit: KANZI® Apples

This Microwave KANZI® Apple Cinnamon Bun Mug Cake is a treat for the senses. With deliciously tangy Kanzi apples, the warmth of cinnamon, and the sweet aroma of brown sugar and vanilla.

Time to make: 12 minutes total
Serves: 1

Ingredients

• 1/2 medium KANZI® apple, thinly sliced into half-moons approximately 5mm thick
• 3 tbsp (42g) salted butter (divided, see method)
• 3 tbsp brown sugar (divided)
• Ground cinnamon
• Ground nutmeg
• 1/4 cup milk of your preference
• 1 tsp pure vanilla extract
• 1/3 cup (40 g) plain flour
• 1/4 tsp baking powder
• Optional: scoop of vanilla ice cream, to serve

Method

1. To the bottom of a microwave-safe mug, add half of the Kanzi apple slices, 1/2tbsp (7g) butter, 1/2 tbsp brown sugar, and a pinch each of cinnamon and nutmeg. Microwave for 30 seconds to soften the Kanzi apples and create a brown sugar sauce.

2. In a separate small microwave-safe bowl, microwave 2 tbsp (28g) butter in 30s intervals, until melted. Stir in 2 tbsp brown sugar, milk, and vanilla extract until combined. Add the flour, baking powder, and another pinch each of cinnamon and nutmeg. Mix until just smooth and combined, being careful not to overmix. Pour the batter over the Kanzi apples.

3. Top the batter with the remaining Kanzi apple slices, then sprinkle with remaining 1/2 tbsp brown sugar and a final pinch each of cinnamon and nutmeg. Dot with remaining 1/2 tbsp (7 g) butter.

4. Microwave for 1 min 30 sec on high. (Please note that all microwaves are different therefore can yield different results. Be careful not to overcook!)

5. Top with an optional scoop of vanilla ice cream and serve immediately.

Lead image credit: KANZI® Apples