As the evenings come in earlier and temperature drops, fight the frosty, winter days with these warming recipes.

Lentil and Bacon Soup

This simple recipe will impress your friends and family as it’s the perfect winter warming starter to any dinner party.

Ingredients

• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 1 onion
• 140g pancetta cubes
• 1 carrot, diced
• 1 tsp ground cumin
• ½ tsp turmeric
• 2 garlic cloves
• 1 chilli
• 2 stock cubes
• 250g red lentils

Method

1. Heat the olive oil in a large saucepan. Add the onion, 1 pack of pancetta and the carrot. Cook on a low to medium heat for 10 minutes until the onions are soft.
2. Add the cumin, turmeric, garlic, and chilli and cook for a further 1 – 2 minutes until the aromas are released.
3. Pour in 1.25 litres of boiling water, crumble in the stock cubes and add the lentils. Bring to a simmer and cook for 20 mins, stirring occasionally to ensure the lentils aren’t sticking.
4. Meanwhile, fry the remaining lardons in a small frying pan for about 10 minutes until crispy. You don’t need to add any oil as plenty will run from the pancetta.
5. Serve the soup with a sprinkle of crispy lardons on top.

Beef Stew

Nothing says winter warming than a classic beef stew.

Ingredients

• 1 tbsp. vegetable oil
• 2 lb. beef chuck stew meat, cubed into 1″ pieces
• 1 tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil
• 1 medium yellow onion, chopped
• 2 carrots, peeled and cut into rounds
• 2 stalks celery, chopped
• Kosher salt
• Freshly ground black pepper
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1/4 c. tomato paste
• 6 c. low-sodium beef broth
• 1 c. red wine
• 1 tbsp. Worcestershire sauce
• 1 tsp. dried or fresh thyme leaves
• 2 bay leaves
• 1 lb. baby potatoes, halved
• 1 c. frozen peas
• 1/4 c. freshly chopped parsley, for garnish

Method

1. In a large Dutch oven or heavy-bottomed pot over medium heat, heat oil. Add beef and cook until seared on all sides, 10 minutes, working in batches if necessary. Transfer beef to a plate. 
2. In the same pot, cook onion, carrots, and celery until soft, 5 minutes. Season with salt and pepper. Add garlic and tomato paste and cook until garlic is fragrant and tomato paste has darkened, 2 minutes. 
3. Add beef back to Dutch oven then add broth, wine, Worcestershire sauce, thyme, and bay leaves. 
4. Bring to a boil then reduce heat to a simmer. Season with salt and pepper. Cover and let simmer until beef is tender, 30 to 45 minutes.
5. Add potatoes and simmer, covered, until potatoes are tender, 15 minutes. 
6. Remove bay leaves. Stir in peas and cook until warmed through, 2 minutes. Season stew to taste with salt and pepper, then ladle into serving bowls and garnish with parsley. 

 

Roasted Red Pepper and Sweet Potato Soup

Ingredients

• 1 sweet potato, roughly chopped into dice with the skin still on
• 1 red pepper, de-seeded and cut into chunks
• 1 red onion, peeled and cut into chunks
• 3 garlic cloves, peeled
• 1 tsp smoked paprika
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 200ml coconut milk
• 200ml chicken stock
• ½ tbsp sriracha
• 1 tsp maple syrup

Method

1. Heat oven to 190C/170C fan/gas 5. Put the sweet potato, pepper, onion and garlic on a baking tray. Sprinkle with the paprika and seasoning, then drizzle with the oil. Toss together. Roast for 30 mins or until beginning to brown.
2. Tip the roasted vegetables into a blender (or use a stick blender) with the coconut milk, stock, sriracha and maple syrup. Whizz until smooth. Pour back into the pan and heat until piping hot. Check for seasoning and pour into a flask. Serve with soda bread or toasted sourdough.

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