Warm food for wintry weather

Winter is on its way. It’s almost time for waking up in the dark, adding fire-wood to the shopping list, and wearing double-thick socks.

Plus, it’s almost time for comfort food. It’s no coincidence that we crave hearty stews in the winter months – the cold weather is known to bring an increase in appetite. You’ve heard of the Winter Body, haven’t you?

And because we spend more time on the couch than outdoors, the colder months can impact on our levels of health.

This season, the Freddy Hirsch Group brings you wintry meals that are deliciously filling without being unhealthy.

Here are three ideas for winter warmers that won’t weigh you down!

Winter salads

We know how it sounds! But when your greens are topped with roast butternut, mushroom, and chunks of feta cheese, you’re no longer eating a salad – you’re enjoying a delectable winter dish that you won’t need to walk off.

Try creating a spicy salad using chicken liver and chorizo, or pair spinach with shrimp for a winter salad dressed with lemon, turmeric, chilli, and ginger.

Soup-er healthy

There’s nothing quite like a good bowl of soup in winter. And, packed with veggies, it’s a soup-er healthy option.  

Revive classic vegetable and minestrone soups with hints of cayenne and red pepper flakes. Or, create something completely different. Add roast pork to split pea soup, Moroccan lamb to chickpea soup, or orange and cumin to butternut soup.

With some good spices and a knack for flavour, your options are endless.

The warming effect

Certain foods have a warming effect on our bodies. The great news is that there are a bunch of healthy foods that can be added to hearty winter dishes.

Herbs and spices like ginger, garlic, cinnamon, pepper, turmeric, and cloves not only warm us up – they provide us with excellent nutrients.

Same with nuts and oilseeds. Almonds, pumpkin seeds, and sesame seeds are rich in healthy fats, and can be incorporated into green beans, chicken dishes, and winter salads.

Switch sugar for honey where you can - honey is a natural sugar substitute known to warm the body.

Whether you go for salads, soups, spices, seeds, or sugar substitutes, it’s easy to keep deliciously healthy this winter. Find more recipes here.