A Winter Warmer

Introduction

This is step eight of Gary Ragnarsson's Frosted Primrose Challenge. In this part, I have to publish a recipe for one (or more) of your winter favourites. Be it a mulled wine, a cocktail, a simmering potpourri, or a stew. Let us experience your favourite tastes of the season.

The music is "Bon Appétit" by Katy Perry ft. Migos

Read all about it here:

A Winter Warmer

I am not much of a cook, often happy with a fish finger butty of Fish and Chips from my local chippy that I wrote a poem for.

I love a mug of Scotch Broth or Lentil Soup, something that warms your hands and your insides too. There is always a good supply in my cupboard.

Hot Chocolate is also another thing that I love to warm myself with.

I love Vegan food although I am not vegan at all, but it would not destroy me to become a vegan as there are so many options to eat now.

I produced this piece that includes two recipes with video links showing me attempting (and succeeding) in producing a couple of meals including Jack Monroe's "Peach and Chickpea Curry".

I used tins as well as fresh and frozen things to put things together.

Very often I will start, not having a clue what I am going to end up eating.

Going back to the soups I will often lace them with Lea & Perrins Worcester Sauce, Tabasco, Sriracha, Cayenne or Black Pepper or a combination of all of them. That certainly adds warmth to the drink.

I am not a fan of bland tasteless food.

Now although I have shared some of my cooking and what I do with soup and hot drinks there are other warming recipes that I sometimes do that I will share some that I have found which I either have tried or will try.

The Hairy Bikers Sausage Casserole

Casseroles are always hearty and warming and this is a really nice one to make and enjoy.

Ingredients

1–2 tbsp sunflower oil

12 good-quality pork sausages

6 rashers rindless streaky bacon, cut into 2.5cm/1in lengths

2 onions, thinly sliced

2 garlic cloves, crushed

½–1 tsp hot chilli powder or smoked paprika

400g tin chopped tomatoes

300ml/10fl oz chicken stock

2 tbsp tomato purée

1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce

1 tbsp dark muscovado sugar

1 tsp dried mixed herbs

2 bay leaves

3–4 fresh thyme sprigs

100ml/3½fl oz red or white wine (optional)

400g tin butter beans or mixed beans, drained and rinsed

salt and freshly ground black pepper

rice or rustic bread slices, to serve

Method

• Heat 1 tablespoon of the oil in a large non-stick frying pan and fry the sausages gently for 10 minutes, turning every now and then until nicely browned all over. Transfer to a large saucepan or a flameproof casserole dish and set aside.

• Fry the bacon in the frying pan until starting to brown and crisp and then add to the dish with the sausages.

• Add the onions to the frying pan and fry over a medium heat for 5 minutes until they start to soften, stirring often. You should have enough fat in the pan, but if not, add a little more oil. Add the garlic and cook for 2–3 minutes until the onions turn pale golden brown, stirring frequently.

• Sprinkle over the chilli powder and cook together for a few seconds longer.

• Stir in the tomatoes, stock, tomato purée, Worcestershire sauce, brown sugar and herbs. Pour in the wine, or some water if you’re not using wine, and bring to a simmer.

• Tip the tomato mixture carefully into the pan with the sausages and bacon and return to a simmer. Reduce the heat, cover the pan loosely with a lid and leave to simmer very gently for 20 minutes, stirring from time to time.

• Stir the beans into the casserole, and continue to cook for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the sauce is thick.

• Season to taste with salt and freshly ground black pepper and serve with rice or slices of rustic bread.

This was liberated from this excellent page where you will find lots of great Winter Warmer recipes.

Thank you for reading