Picture the scene, it’s a chilly afternoon and you’ve all wrapped up warm to go for a brisk stroll in the crisp countryside. The children have rosy cheeks, and your teeth are chattering. With legs stretched and heart rates elevated, you return home to enjoy the rest of the day. Here I have shared 3 Winter Warmers to get you feeling cosy again.
Cinnamon Hot Chocolate
This is a luxurious, warming drink with a hint of winter spices to keep you feeling cosy. Wrap both hands around your favourite mug and enjoy, it’s like a bit chocolatey hug in a mug!
Ingredients – Serves 4
- 1 litre oat milk – (You can use any milk).
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- 4 tbsp cocoa powder
Optional extras – marshmallows and squirty cream for the top!
Method:
- Get a medium sized saucepan and pour in the milk.
- Heat on a medium setting.
- When it starts to gently steam add in the other ingredients and keeping whisking until they’re all incorporated. Be careful not to let this mixture boil as milk will scald.
- Divide into you mugs and if you’re feeling fancy, add a squirt of cream and some mini marshmallows to the top. Add a pinch of cinnamon and cocoa powder and you’re done! Enjoy with loved ones on a cold day with a blanket and a good film or book.
Cream of Tomato Soup
A classic, light meal to have when you’re feeling the cold. Velvety smooth and creamy, this is an easy one to prepare relatively quickly and is full of goodness.
Ingredients – Serves 4
- 2 tins of chopped tomatoes
- 1 large onion
- 1 carrot
- 400ml chicken or vegetable stock
- 1 knob of butter
- 150ml cream (single or double is fine)
Method:
- Finely chop the onion and carrot.
- Bring a large saucepan up to heat add the butter.
- When the butter is sizzling, add the onion and carrot and gently soften for 5-10 min.
- Add the tins of tomatoes and stock to the pan and bring to the boil before allowing to simmer for 20 min.
- Add in the cream and at this point taste and season with salt and/or pepper.
- Blend with a hand blender or in a processor.
- Serve with bread and butter in large mugs or soup bowls.
Apple Crumble
Nothing gives off a snug, homely vibe than a humble Apple Crumble. If apple isn’t your thing, you can swap out for pears, tinned peaches or berries. Whatever you decide to use it will be delicious, topped with a sweet, oaty crumble topping. This recipe is adaptable to whatever you have in the cupboard so is great to make on a rainy afternoon when trips to the shops aren’t high on the list of things to do.
Ingredients – Serves 4
- 800g apples (or your chosen fruit)
- 4-6 tsp sugar (you can use brown or white granulated)
- 20g cold butter (margarine will also work)
- 50g plain flour
- A handful of oats (granola can also be used)
Method:
- Put your oven on to preheat to 190C/375F/gas 5.
- Wash your apples and carefully remove the peel and cores before chopping into small, bitesize chunks.
- Add apples to a pan with the sugar and stir over a low heat until beginning to soften.
- Add your apples to an oven proof dish and put to one side whilst you prepare the crumble topping.
- Chop the cold butter into cubes and put in a mixing bowl with the flour. Rub together to form a rough breadcrumb texture.
- Stir in the oats.
- Sprinkle loosely over the apples and bake in the oven for 20 minutes until golden and crunchy.
- Serve warm with custard, ice-cream or yoghurt.
