Is it time to put on the heating yet? The image of a crackling fire and a blanket with a book and a hot drink is something special. Creating space in your life for simple pleasures is an art, and perhaps because they are not marketable, are side-lined by the modern trappings of life - the things we have to do and have, the busyness and the social requirements. It's hard to make time in our busy lives, but remember that the nights drawing in allow more time for active relaxation.
I think the smell of wood burning and wet dog is better than anything the perfume industry can concoct. That and a slow cooker meal to come home to after a walk in the cool autumn air.
Warming food need not be complicated, but should be filling and hot. A fine example is stew. I love a good beef stew cooked in the slow cooker with browned meat and traditional vegetables. In my family that would include potatoes, carrots, onions, celery, swede and maybe parsnips. These take on the flavour of the stock or gravy which I like to make with Guinness stout or at least a bottle of Old Speckled Hen. I am a true believer in seasoning - salt and pepper are a must, and top the whole thing of for the last half hour or so with herbed dumplings. There are never enough dumplings!
With vegetarians in the house, the beef has to be replaced, so replace it with butternut squash or pumpkin later on in the process. A little pinch of cumin seeds adds flavour to the veggie version. Here's a list of ideas for meals through the colder months. It's not exhaustive, but helps me to think about what I'd like to make for a change.
Spaghetti Bolognese and garlic bread
Pasta carbonara
Tuna pasta bake
Chicken pasta bake
Specials (Baked potatoes scooped out then add onion, cheese, butter and refill then back in the oven until beautifully browned)
Cottage pie
Faggots, peas and mash
Sausage, beans and mash
Chilli con carne, rice and tortilla chips
Five bean chilli and mixed rice
Curry and pilau rice with naans, samosas and bhajis
Stir fry and noodles (simply vegetables, or prawn, or chicken)
Stuffed cabbage leaves (spiced mince and rice served with potatoes and vegetables)
Stuffed peppers (you can even use pre-flavoured rice or mixed grain for this)
Chinese with noodles (vegetables, fish or meat with black bean sauce, sweet and sour, or hoisin)
All day breakfast
Stew (see above)
Chicken chasseur
Roast dinner
Bubble and squeak (leftover vegetables like potato and brassicas refried and served with sides)
Pie or pasty and wedges
Fish and chips
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