Let me be clear, I have no domestic knowledge or cookery skills to impart. These are simply some of the things that I make for my family during winter to keep their spirits up and their bellies full. Calling them recipes is definitely a step too far, they are a couple of ideas and if you are in a cooking rut (which I frequently am) perhaps you can give them a whirl.

Full Fat Hot Chocolate

Hot Chocolate has been through alot. It is frequently topped with squirty cream and sickly sweet syrups. Not to mention the milky grey granules that aspire to become hot chocolate when hot water is added. These my friends are imposters and very poor relatives of the silky smooth creamy chocolate drink. I’ve always subscribed to the idea that when it comes to indulgence, go hard or go home. This is the version of hot chocolate that I make frequently for my family.

500ml whole milk

x75 g bar of good quality chocolate (at least 70% cocoa)

100 ml single cream

2 tbsp brown sugar.

Pinch of salt.

Optional Flavourings : cinnamon, cardamon, chilli powder (pinch) vanilla extract, nip of brandy.

Warm approximately 300ml of milk in a pan over a medium heat and stir in the chocolate. Continue to stir until the chocolate has melted, then whisk in the remaining milk and add the single cream.

Continue to heat until the mixture is hot BUT NOT BOILING. Add sugar and your chosen flavours (I love some crushed cardamon and a pinch of cinnamon) . Take off the heat and whisk vigorously.

Stewed Fruit On Everything

I am not going to insult you with a recipe on how to stew fruit. I cook up a big bag of Bramley’s at the weekend and add whatever frozen berries I have in the freezer. The stewed fruit then gets dolloped onto porridge in the mornings with a few slices of banana, topped with crumble if we need a pudding (is that even a question?) or simply guzzled with Greek Yoghurt for a snack. I don’t usually add any sugar and let the kids add honey if needed.

Eggs and Tomatoes.

This is a great meal if you are short of time and the cupboard is bare. It’s warm and hearty and entirely preferable to a salad for lunch on a cold day.

x1 Tin of Plum Tomatoes.

x2 Large Eggs

100g of parmesan or manchego

Tbsp chopped basil

Handful of chopped spinach

Black Olives (optional).

Heat some olive oil in a frying pan and add a tin of plum tomatoes and the olives if using. When these are warm crack in the eggs and cook slowly until they are done. Cover with a layer or spinach and basil and wilt gently. Turn off the heat and grate over the parmesan. Eat with a chunk of your favourite bread.

What do you like to eat during winter? I have it on great authority that we actually need more calories when the temperature drops. More custard anyone?

Sophie x