Published: 07 October 2024
With the longer nights and colder days, there’s no avoiding the fact that winter is just around the corner. But while summer has a lot to give, autumn and winter are absolutely fabulous for comfort foods. Hearty stews and warming soups feel like a hug in food form. So, if you’re looking for inspiration, these are some of our favourites.
Our Top Six Winter Warmer Soups and Stews
Beef, ale and horseradish cobbler
This is one of those recipes that will become legendary in your household. Melt-in-the-mouth beef in an intense savoury sauce, topped with flavourful scones – this is an all-round family favourite. It’s so satisfying that you won’t ever need seconds… But that won’t stop you from wanting them!
Spicy roasted parsnip soup
There are few meals that can beat a nourishing bowl of hot soup with a hank of crusty bread. And this spicy roasted parsnip number is just packed with the flavours of winter. It’s easy to cook, but tastes like you’ve been slaving over the stove for hours! So, while soup is thought to be humble fayre, we wouldn’t hesitate to serve this to anyone.
One-pan tomato fish chowder
Chowder: where stew and soup combine! This Mediterranean-inspired dish is absolutely flavour-packed. And yet it only contains a handful of ingredients. Making it a quick, easy, and cost-effective way to feed the family.
The ultimate autumn stew
Stews have always been predominantly meat-based. But if you know where to look, there are some great vegetarian and vegan recipes now available. And we just love the ‘ultimate autumn stew’ by Madeleine Olivia. It’s rich and tasty and umami packed. Just make sure that you don’t use original Worcester sauce if you want to keep it vegan.
French onion soup
You don’t have to top this indulgent soup with a slab of cheesy Marmite toast, but we’d strongly recommend that you do! The salty yeasty taste really compliments the sweet stickiness of the caramelised onions, giving depth and heart to this classic dish. It’s not the fastest soup to prepare, but it’s 100% worth the effort.
Roman chicken stew with peppers
Used in stews, tomato is usually a companion to beef and the other red meats. This dish is a little different. The chicken is cooked until it falls off the bone. While the rich tomato and pepper sauce, really brings the meaty flavour to the fore. Rich and satisfying, this makes an amazing meal alone. But is even better when served with greens and a slab of sourdough.
Autumn and winter are the seasons of comfort food. It’s the time when dishes need to be filling and substantial, with flavours that pack a real punch. And we think that these six dishes do just that.
Don’t forget, the Holker Hall Courtyard Cafe is open Wednesday – Sunday until Christmas, for the days that you don’t feel like cooking at home.