Winter and Comfort Food

Does winter mean you always look for comfort from the cold with sweet puddings and chocolate? Do you always put on weight over winter and have to try to lose it again for summer?

Why not do yourself a favour this winter and find comfort in hearty casseroles and soups instead! Winter afternoons can become cosy and warm if you have a delicious smelling casserole slowly cooking on the stove or in the slow cooker.

Casseroles are so easy - just chop up the meat and vegetables, add herbs and water and turn on the hotplate. Nothing is much easier than that. Add garlic and wine for extra flavour boosts that will smell delicious!

Soups on the stove top can bubble all afternoon and give you a wonderful warming and healthy meal if you serve the soup with multigrain breadrolls. Any soup that doesn't get eaten can be stored in the fridge, to make another appearance the next day. You can add more to the soup, adjust the seasonings and it will be even better.

This is a terrific way to make the most of winter vegetable when they're at their cheapest price. Soup is also a good way to use up the vegetables hanging around in the crisper. Once the vegetables are chopped up, it won't matter that they're not the freshest ever.

Casseroles can be made without added fat, just saute the meat and then onions and capsicums with a little stock, add the rest of the vegetable chopped and then add more stock. Bring to the boil, reduce heat and then simmer until you're ready for a yummy meal!