healing winter warmer

Winter Warmers – Nourishing recipes for Winter

As the cooler weather hits, many of us naturally turn to comfort foods to warm us up, yet this doesn’t have to mean unhealthy fatty or fried foods.  Below are a couple of my favourite meal ideas, which are quick and easy to prepare, using produce commonly available at this time of year.

 

Easy Vegetable Curry

In our family this Easy Vegetable Curry is always a hit. The recipe was originally given to me by my Mum and is simple to make, yet nourishing and delicious. As an added bonus it is vegan/vegetarian friendly and may be easily adapted to use what vegetables you have on hand.

Ingredients:

Potatoes, pumpkin, carrots, parsnip etc. (any of these according to what you have available)

1 teaspoon cumin powder

½ teaspoon coriander

1 teaspoon curry powder or a tablespoon of curry paste

Small sprinkle of dried chilli or one small fresh cut chilli (optional)

Sesame or olive oil

1 tin diced tomatoes

1 tin beans (any of kidney, chick pea or 3 beans)

1 small tin coconut milk (optional)

Any other vegetables you wish to add (such as green beans, cauliflower, broccoli etc)

Method:

  1. Put about 1 tablespoon of sesame or olive oil in a large saucepan and add any hard vegetables (i.e., potatoes, pumpkin etc) washed and cut into small pieces.
  2. Sprinkle cumin, coriander, curry powder and chilli over vegetables and toss to coat well. Stir for about 5 minutes on low heat.
  3. Add tin of diced tomatoes and stir in. You may also add in a little water or liquid stock if mixture looks a little dry.
  4. Add in tin of beans.
  5. Add any other veg you wish to add in also cut into small pieces.
  6. Let vegies simmer gently until cooked. If at any time it looks a little dry add in more water or stock.
  7. Optional – once vegies are cooked you can add a small tin of coconut milk if you wish and stir through.
  8. Once vegies are cooked and soft, transfer to a serving dish. This meal is perfect served with cooked brown or basmati rice

Note: This recipe may also be easily adapted to a slow cooker if you have one. Simply add the vegetables, tinned tomato and spices to your slow cooker, plus a little water/stock and stir well to combine. Cook throughout the day on a low setting and your vegetable curry will be ready to serve up for dinner. As an added bonus, the warming aromas will fill your home as the meal cooks!

 

Quick Apple Crumble

Just as delicious as Apple Pie in my view but easier to make, this recipe combines the goodness of fresh apples with the nutritional benefits of oats, for a healthy yet delicious dessert idea.

Ingredients:

½ cup of flour (plain, wholemeal, spelt etc according to what you have on hand)

½ teaspoon cinnamon

½ teaspoon mixed spice

¾ cup of sugar or equivalent alternative

75 grams of butter or margarine or your preferred non-dairy spread (slightly softened)

½ cup rolled oats

4 medium green apples

 

Method:

  1. Measure the flour, spices and sugar into a medium sized bowl.
  2. Cut or rub in margarine or other spread until crumbly, then add rolled oats and stir well to combine.
  3. Peel apples and cut into small-medium sized pieces, then place into a shallow medium sized ovenware dish.
  4. Spread the crumble mixture evenly over the apples.
  5. Bake at approx. 190 degrees Celsius for about 40 minutes, or until the topping is slightly browned and the apples are soft.
  6. Serve with any ice-cream, cream or yoghurt of your choice.

 

Bon Appetit!

 

 

By Kerrie Clayton

Kerrie has been a member of the AHHCA for 10 years and is currently part of its Committee of Management. She is a qualified Holistic Health Practitioner and Reiki Master. Kerrie may be contacted via www.wellnesswithkerrie.com