Winter

It’s cold, it gets dark earlier, and some evenings the idea of starting dinner from scratch feels like far more effort than it should.

This is when a well-stocked freezer really comes into its own.

Cook Once, Eat More Than Once

Winter food is particularly good at doing double duty. Stews, curries, soups, casseroles and bolognese are all easy to make in bigger quantities, and many of them taste just as good, if not better, the second time around. Cook once and you could have dinner sorted for another night when cooking is the last thing you feel like doing.

As the temperatures drop and the mornings get a little harder to face, many of us start reaching for the same kinds of meals. They're warm, hearty and filling. More than that, they make us feel at home. Comfort food exists in every corner of the world. While the ingredients and flavours may differ, the idea is remarkably similar: food that warms you up, brings people together and leaves you feeling just a little more content.

Here are a few winter favourites from around the globe.

As winter settles in, the cold weather and grey skies might seem like a downside, but there's an undeniable charm in warm fires, hearty meals, and the comfort of home-cooked dishes. Whether you're a fan of pot roasts, soups, stews, or something more adventurous, this season is all about indulging in rich and flavourful meals. Here's a guide to using the best quality meats and Halaal fish to keep you warm and satisfied throughout the winter months.

Brrr! It’s been really cold this winter (who can forget the snow we had in Gauteng!) but don’t worry, because we've got the perfect remedy to warm you up! Join us on a mouthwatering journey through five famous one-pot winter meals from around the globe. When it’s chilly and you're craving something cosy, consider creating one of these dishes - they’re like a hug in a bowl.

We’re into our second month of autumn and soon, as the days begin to grow shorter and colder, we’ll begin turning to the winter foods we all love so much - stews, curries and soups. Of course we can enjoy these dishes any time of the year, and one such dish that should be enjoyed all year round because of its purported health benefits, is bone broth.

We’re about to venture into our first month of winter and now, more than ever, we need to keep our spirits up and keep our health on track. Winter woolies, crackling fires, hearty stews and rich wholesome soups are the order of the day.

There’s a day celebrating most things we enjoy eating or drinking, so imagine our delight to discover that there’s a World Whisky Day as well. Founded in 2012 by Blair Bowman, a whisky consultant and author of the Pocket Guide to Whisky, World Whisky Day is celebrated on the third Saturday in May each year – and this year’s celebration falls on Saturday 19th May.

Winter is on its way and soon we’ll be spending more time in our kitchens cooking up a storm and enjoying much-loved warm winter dishes – and topping that list of comfort food has to be a traditional roast. While practically any cut of meat can be roasted, roast pork remains a firm favourite, particularly when it comes to savouring crispy crackling.

Winter arrived with a bang in Cape Town this week as it was left battered and bruised in a storm said to be the greatest storm the Cape has seen in 30 years. Thankfully it also meant plenty of rain which is desperately needed considering the drought and the fact that the city was officially declared a disaster area earlier this year. Now that we’re finally into the cold and wet season, if ever you needed an excuse to hibernate and delight in warm winter dishes, this is it.