With the cold weather comes the desire to eat food that warms you up. Winter is the perfect time to make comfort food like soups, stews and curries. Admittedly, they need a bit of time to cook, but we’ve found some quick and easy winter-warmer meals you can try. Whether you use slow cooker, a cast iron pot, or a wonderbag, slow-cooked is always best — the flavours simply develop more. But if you’re pressed for time, a pressure cooker will also do the job.

Here are some great winter recipe favourites for you to make for friends and family. This is comfort food at its best.

1. Oxtail Stew

A delicious, slow-cooked oxtail stew for the whole family to enjoy.
| Serves 6 | Prep time: 20 mins | Time to cook: +/- 4 hours |

Ingredients:
2kg oxtail
4 tablespoons flour
3 teaspoons paprika
4 large carrots, chopped into large chunks
2 large onions, chopped
4 teaspoons crushed garlic
440ml tomato purée
5 tablespoons Mrs Balls original chutney
2 tablespoons Royco Beef Usavi Mix
2 litres water
salt and pepper to season

Method:
Preheat oven to 180°C.
Dust the oxtail in flour and paprika.
Brown the oxtail on medium-high heat on the stove (add a bit of oil if necessary).
Once browned remove from the pot and set aside.
In the same pot, fry the onion and garlic until translucent.
Return the oxtail to the pot, mix into the onions and garlic and heat for 10 mins.
Add tomato purée, Usavi mix and 2 litres of water and boil for 2- 3 hours, constantly stirring.
Remove from the stove, place contents in an ovenproof dish. Add carrots and chutney and cook in the oven until meat is tender and falls off the bone.
Serve with dumplings, rice or pap.

2. Chicken Stew

Impress your family with a hearty chicken stew.
| Serves 4 | Prep time: 1 hour | Time to cook: 4 hours |

Ingredients:
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 chicken cut into pieces
1 teaspoon thyme (dried)
1 teaspoon oregano (dried)
1 teaspoon parsley (dried)
1 teaspoon basil (dried)
1 bay leaf
1 clove garlic, finely chopped
1 chopped onion
1 chopped carrot
1 chopped bell pepper
1 cup tomatoes, crushed
3 cups chicken stock

Method:
Place one tablespoon olive oil in a saucepan. On medium heat, brown the chicken pieces in batches.
Sauté onions, herbs, carrot, garlic and pepper for about 5 minutes. Add back the chicken and stir.
Add the cup of tomatoes and chicken stock, stir and let cook for 2- 3 hours or until tender.
Add salt and pepper to your taste. Pick out the bay leaf and serve with sadza, rice or potatoes.

(Recipe adapted from: Princess Tafadzwa)

3. Saucy Hake

A perfect weekday meal for the family. Easy to make, and delicious to eat.
| Serves 4 | Prep time: 10 mins| Time to cook: 45 mins |

Ingredients:
250ml plain yoghurt
125ml milk
125ml cream
1 teaspoon paprika
1 teaspoon parsley
1 sachet white onion soup
500g frozen hake fillets
Grated cheddar cheese (for topping)

Method:
Preheat oven to 180°C.
In a bowl, mix together the milk, cream, herbs and white onion soup until well combined.
Arrange the fish fillets in an ovenproof dish.
Pour the sauce over the fish fillets and bake at 180°C for about 45 minutes or until the fish is cooked through and the sauce is set.
Just before serving, sprinkle the cheese over the fish, and let it melt.
Serve with bread rolls to mop up the sauce.

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