With the weather cooling down, it only makes sense to turn up the heat in the kitchen. In fact, we recommend you warm yourself up from the inside out with dishes that will fill your belly and warm your soul.
Think piping hot, hearty, rich and meaty dishes that will wrap you in a cosy blanket all winter long.
If you’re stuck on ideas for winter meals, look no further. We’ve compiled the best winter warmers that you’re sure to be making over and over again this cool season. Loosen up your belt and let’s get cooking.
Beef cheeks
Slow cooking is synonymous with winter and beef cheeks are the perfect hero for slow-cooked dishes. As an inexpensive cut of meat, beef cheeks, when done right, pack a tonne of flavour.
The most important thing to remember to get the mouth-watering beef cheeks you crave is to braise them down slowly. You can find the ultimate guide to cooking beef cheeks here.
From a traditional beef cheeks in red wine with creamy mashed potatoes to a slightly more modern red wine and port braised beef cheeks on soft polenta, or if you’re looking for something a bit more unique this braised beef cheeks with cheesy polenta, dutch carrots and kale pesto is a winner.
Pies
Nothing beats the first bite into light and flaky pastry that gives way to hearty and flavoursome stewed beef on a cold winter’s day. We are drooling just thinking about it.
This steak and lager pie is a crowd pleaser and can be cooked as a stand alone stew or into a pie, or cook up a storm with this classic beef wellington recipe portioned into individual servings so that you don’t have to share.
If you’re unsure what type of beef to use for a stew, we have you covered here.
Brisket
Another slow-cooked winter favourite is brisket. If you’re new to the brisket scene, try this recipe for brisket beginners, but why stop there? From slow braised beef brisket and slow cooked pulled beef brisket to Red Hook’s brisket burger and this easy pull apart beef brisket you can do in the oven, there really are no excuses to not get your brisket on.
Italian
Nothing says comfort food quite like Italian. With substantial sauces, traditional flavours and maybe even a cheeky red wine on the side, whipping up an Italian feast is a winter treat.
Recipes such as a quick and easy spaghetti bolognese or a simple savoury beef mince will have the family coming back for seconds. If you want to be a little more gourmet, try Black Hide’s Italian meatballs, The Boatshed Restaurant’s Italian beef ragout or Putia Pure Food Kitchen’s Italian-style steak. Better yet, add all of these recipes into your winter repertoire and put it on repeat.
Roasts
We promised hearty and if anything is hearty it is roast beef. Roasts shouldn’t be exclusively kept for Sundays and can be cooked anytime of the week. Keep it simple with a roasted cube roll with roasted pumpkin and salsa verde or up your steak game with a roasted rib eye with cafe de paris butter.
If you’re seeking out more roast hints, check out this guide to the perfect roast beef by Michael Elfwing, Executive Chef at Conrad Hotels & Resorts.
Curry
Curry’s can pack some heat in both the temperature and spice departments. As a filling and easy weeknight staple, currys will become a family favourite this winter in no time. Try this quick beef curried sausages recipe or if you’re looking for something filled with herbs and spices (read: flavour), go for this beef rendang with pickled cucumber. A side of rice is always a goer.
If you’re unsure which cut of beef to use in a curry, this fool proof guide will lend a helping hand.
Corned beef
Corned beef has been a family staple for years – and for good reason. It’s a crowd pleaser, and this hearty meal is perfect for those cooler months. When done correctly, corned beef can be a mouthwatering and tender dish. Have we sold you yet? If not, check out how to cook corned beef here and let the recipe do the talking.
Stroganoff
Succulent meat? Tick. Delicious rich sauce? Tick. Winter friendly? Double tick. This meal is quick to prepare and cook, and is also great for leftovers as it will hold in the fridge for three to four days. Winter food coma is loading…
