It's that time of year again.  It's cold, wet and windy outside, so we stay indoors and all we want to do is eat, eat, and eat!  Read books and eat, watch TV or movies and eat, play games and eat...preparing and eating food is a big part of our lives in winter.  So let us help you find some hearty and comforting winter recipes.  If you are on a diet, this article is not for you.  These foods are pure winter indulgence.  

Winter is the time for hot casseroles, curries and stews.  Here are some delicious examples:

1. This page has recipes for casseroles with only 5 ingredients: About.com: Busy Cooks
2. Pick 'n Pay has some exciting winter recipes.  The Thai Style Butternue and Sweet Potato Soup is easy, but unusual and impressive for guests.
3. Pies are the absolute best for a cold winter's meal.  The best pies are home-made, not bought.  This Chicken Pot Pie recipe is simple and delicious for a family.
4. Take a look at UKTV's Good Food Channel Winter Recipes.  There are so many here, we don't know which to choose.  Even if you don't cook, these are so good to look at, and fun to read too.
5. This local curry website is not the most user-friendly, but we promise that the recipes are to-die-for!
6. If you are a stew fan, we think Stew Recipes is the website for you.

If you are looking for something more home-grown, try this Cabbage Bredie recipe from Belinda Jackson in Rocklands, Mitchells Plain.

 Cabbage Bredie
Cooking time: 1-2 hours
Ingredients:
1 head cabbage, shredded oil
2 large onions, sliced into rings
10ml cumin seeds
4 whole cloves
2 allspice seeds
1kg mutton, cubed
Meat stock or water
2 leeks, well rinsed and sliced into rings
Green chilli, seeded and chopped (optional)
8 baby potatoes peeled
Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste

Method:
Blanch the cabbage in boiling water for 5 minutes
Drain, rinse under cold water and set aside.
Heat oil in a heavy-based saucepan and fry the onions along with the cumin seeds until glossy.
Add the whole spices and meat
Brown the meat, adds a little meat stock or water, cover and reduce the heat.
Simmer until the meat is nearly tender
Add the potatoes, cabbage, leeks, celery and chilli and simmer until the potatoes are tender.
Add more water or meat stock as required
Season to taste with salt and pepper and sprinkle the sugar on top.
Serve with rice and chutney. Serves 6

Take a look, copy or print a recipe and try it at home.  Let us know how it goes.  We love to hear from you.  If you have a recipe, email it to us at info(at)smartcape.org.za, and we will publish it online with thanks to you.


Last Update: 19 August 2011