Winter has proven itself here with Perth’s weather this week. When its cold and storming outside there’s no better feeling than indulging in a warm hearty meal. Here are a few of my favourite winter dinners.
Roasts-
BEEF RENDING WITH COCONUT AND CHILLI SAMBAL:
This is one of my favourite meals I’ve ever made. It’s so richly infused with Thai flavours like lemongrass and kaffir lime leaves, it actually gets better the longer you leave it (leftovers yay!). I don’t make the chilli sambal as I swap it for either roast or mashed potato, great for soaking up the sauce.
https://www.donnahay.com.au/recipes/dinner/beef-rendang-with-coconut-and-chilli-sambal
SAGE CRUSTED RIB ROAST WITH GORGONZOLA CREAM:
Words cannot describe how incredible this roast is… seriously… amazing. The crispy sage, creamy sauce, juicy meat. The only downfall is the hefty price tag with this cut of meat, so its great for a special occasion (I had it at Christmas). However I have duplicated the recipe with a beef fillet (third picture) and it proved successful.
https://www.halfbakedharvest.com/sage-crusted-standing-rib-roast-gorgonzola-cream-sauce/
RED WINE CRANBERRY BRAISED SHORT RIBS:
Winter means time to abuse the slow cooker, this is a great cosy meal packed with hearty flavours like rosemary and cranberries. Alternatively, Tieghan from Halfbakedharveast also has a white wine braised short rib recipe with mushroom sauce here.
https://www.halfbakedharvest.com/red-wine-cranberry-braised-short-ribs/
SLOW COOKED SHREDDED BEEF RAGU:
Who doesn’t love a ragu in winter? This is my favourite slow cooked ragu recipe I’ve made so far.
https://www.recipetineats.com/slow-cooked-shredded-beef-ragu-pasta/
CIDER BRAISED BEEF STEW WITH ROSEMARY POLENTA:
I made this for dinner last night and can confirm it tastes just as good as it looks. Braised in both red wine and cider, this is a meal for the soul. https://www.halfbakedharvest.com/beef-stew
White meat–
THAI SATAY CHICKEN:
Thai is my favourite cuisine, who doesn’t love satay sauce (my apologies if you have a peanut allergy). Karina from Cafedelites always delivers for flavour packed Thai meals, this is by far my favourite.
https://cafedelites.com/easy-thai-satay-chicken-recipe/
PROSCIUTTO APPLE AND SAGE BUTTER CHICKEN:
Okay now does this not sound like the epitome of winter? Apple cider, stewed apples and sage… it doesn’t get much better than this.
https://www.halfbakedharvest.com/prosciutto-apple-and-sage-butter-chicken/
GARLIC BUTTER CREAMED SPINACH SALMON:
I have salmon most Monday nights so I’ve been looking at ways to ‘wintify’ my fish. This is a fantastic meal that I pair with cauliflower rice or roast cauliflower (which is great to soak up the sauce).
https://www.halfbakedharvest.com/garlic-butter-creamed-spinach-salmon/
IMG_8017
ARTICHOKE CHICKEN MARSALA WITH ORZO:
I haven’t made this meal yet but its in my recipe collections. I have full faith it’ll be delicious.
https://www.halfbakedharvest.com/artichoke-chicken-marsala-and-orzo/
Pastas-
ROASTED RED PEPPER TORTELLINI:
This meal is so rich and creamy with the roasted red pepper sauce. So easy to make its great for a mid-week indulgence. The smell after cooking it is so mouthwatering I actually forgot to take photos (now that’s a good sign).
https://www.halfbakedharvest.com/roasted-red-pepper-tortellini/
CREAMY GNOCCHI SOUP:
I’m yet to make this, but it looks too good I have to share.
https://www.halfbakedharvest.com/creamy-gnocchi-soup/
CARAMELISED BRUSSELS SPROUT PIZZA WITH BROWNED SAGE BUTTER:
Not a pasta, but its sister- pizza. I don’t usually make pizzas in winter as I associate it with a summers night, however when I saw Brussels sprouts, I was sold. I did slightly tweak the recipe by using both pancetta and prosciutto. I added the pancetta before baking and the prosciutto after baking so it had both a crispy and fresh flavour/texture dimension. I also drizzled honey over the top which paired great with the caramelised sprouts.
https://www.halfbakedharvest.com/charred-brussels-sprout-pizza-with-browned-sage-butter-video/
Vegetarian-
MUSHROOM WELLINGTONS WITH ROSEMARY PECANS:
This is a great meat alternative meal as the pecans truly give it that meat like consistency and taste. I make this dish quite regularly week nights as its super quick and easy.
https://www.feastingathome.com/mushroom-wellington-rosemary-pecans/
MUSHROOM BOURGUIGNON WITH CHEESY DUMPLINGS:
Whoever says vegetarian meals aren’t filling is seriously disturbed. This meal is so hearty with the different mushroom varieties, your belly will feel so content after consuming.
https://www.taste.com.au/recipes/mushroom-bourguignon-cheesy-dumplings/rbp96i86
CAULIFLOWER RISOTTO:
This is a Jamie Oliver recipe I live by. It’s so creamy without having the cream in it. I love Jamies recipes as he’s always resourceful, utilising every part of a vegetable. Here he blitzes the cauliflower stalks and fries them off, adding a crunch dimension to the dish. The recipe also has an optional side of crispy prosciutto.
http://whatthec00k.blogspot.com/2020/09/creamy-cauliflower-risotto-with.html
ROASTED CAULIFLOWER BOLOGNESE:
Im yet to make this but Tieghan always knows how to make great cauliflower dishes.
https://www.halfbakedharvest.com/roasted-cauliflower-bolognese/
Sides-
BRUSSELS SPROUTS:
Brussels sprouts have a bad reputation (probably from the tortuous childhood years of boiled sprouts) so people tend to deter from them. But this is SUCH fake news! When cooked correctly, sprouts are fab. The photo on the left is Roasted honey bacon sprouts, these were so great. I didn’t actually add the bacon or feta as they were paired to quite a heavy meal but the honey orange zest glistening syrup alone melts in your mouth.
https://www.halfbakedharvest.com/roasted-bacon-brussels-sprouts/
To the right is Sprouts with a watermelon reduction and yoghurt. I replicated this meal I had at Varnish on King. I fried the sprouts in duck fat, 2 garlic cloves, S&P for 15-20 minutes on 220 degrees. Here is a watermelon syrup recipe.
WINTER SALAD:
This is salad for people that think they don’t like salads. So warm and hearty! This recipe is from a cookbook I own so I don’t have a link, but its essentially roasted beetroot, parsnip, apple and carrot with goats curd mousse.
SWEET POTATO PARMESAN TATER TOTS:
Sweet potato is a great alternative when you’re craving potato. These are a great little snack or side meal that go great with a honey mustard or tomato sauce.
https://www.halfbakedharvest.com/sweet-potato-parmesan-tater-tots/
BUTTERY HERBED MASHED POTATO:
Mash potato is the ultimate winter side, so why not glamify it? Adding herbs to your mash is a game changer, especially crispy sage.
https://www.halfbakedharvest.com/buttery-herbed-mashed-potatoes/
POTATO PARNSIP AND PORCINI GRATIN:
This is a fantastic side with a wellington. Potato, pastry and meat… Winter is here!
https://www.nigella.com/ask/potato-parsnip-and-porcini-gratin
For me, the CREAMY GNOCCHI SOUP is best!
Author
Agreed!!!