As the chilly mornings bite, and the sun sets earlier, it's undeniable that winter is nearly upon us! We can't help but feel drawn to hearty meals that warm our bellies and keep us sustained. Vegetables such as carrots, cabbages, potatoes, onions, celery, broccoli, and silverbeet thrive during winter and are perfect additions to your shopping list. Not only are they more affordable, but they also offer a nutrient-packed boost to your meals.
Add One More Vegetable and discover the perfect recipe to feed your family and keep you cosy from the inside out!
Thai vegetable soup
Soups are the perfect winter warmer, but take a regular pumpkin soup onto an exotic flavour journey with these delicious Thai flavours. Serves 4.
Ingredients
½ Tbsp canola oil
1 Tbsp Thai green curry paste
1½ cups diced peeled pumpkin
4 yams, diced
1 carrot, peeled and diced
1 onion, peeled and finely chopped
3 cups vegetable stock
2 Tbsp lite soy sauce
½ tsp brown sugar
½ cup lite coconut milk
4 coriander sprigs.
Method
Winter vegetable stir fry
Take a typical stir fry and make the most of the winter vegetables that can be the perfect side to any protein you love! Serves 4.
Ingredients
1 Tbsp canola oil
1 tsp sesame oil
4 yellow yams, sliced into quarters lengthwise
1 swede, sliced
1 orange kumara, sliced into sticks
1 carrot, sliced into sticks, optional
2-3 small bok choy, sliced, stalks and leaves separated
1 red capsicum, deseeded and sliced
1 yellow capsicum, deseeded and sliced.
Method
Kumara and pumpkin bake
These veggies are plentiful in winter - and this bake can be the perfect crowd-pleaser at your next winter pot luck! Serves 8
Ingredients
1kg kumara, peeled and grated
1kg pumpkin, peeled and grated
6 silverbeet leaves, thinly sliced and chopped
½ cup peanuts, dry roasted and chopped
1 cup lite coconut milk.
Method
Silverbeet and chicken noodle soup
They say chicken soup is perfect for the soul. If you've got family members suffering from winter blues, give this nutritious version a go! Serves 4. For the full instructions on poaching chicken, check out this recipe here.
Ingredients
4 cups chicken stock (from poaching chicken)
2 Tbsp soy sauce
2 tsp white vinegar
1 Tbsp chopped ginger
125g vermicelli noodles
2½ cups shredded, cooked chicken
2 spring onions, finely sliced
4 cups sliced silverbeet
Method
Optional substitutions:
Use dried egg noodles instead of vermicelli.
Use 4 cups of sliced bok choy, kale, cabbage or spinach in place of silverbeet.
Winter vegetable mash
Not enough potatoes for a standard potato mash? Bulk it out with this winter vegetable array for a mash that can complement any dish. Serves 4
Ingredients
2 kumara, peeled, sliced into small chunks
2 carrots, peeled, sliced into coins
2 parsnips or 2 small swedes, peeled, sliced into small chunks
2 mashing potatoes, peeled, sliced into small chunks
1 Tbsp butter
a pinch of salt
freshly ground black pepper, to taste
fresh herbs for sprigs for garnish (optional)
Method
Suggested boiling times: depending on the size of the vegetable pieces, they may take less time:
18-20 minutes for starchy vegetables, e.g. kumara, potatoes, swedes
12-15 minutes for harder vegetables, e.g. carrots, parsnips, pumpkin, turnips, yams.
Note: Always simmer vegetables as vigorous boiling will cause some vegetables to break up.
Kumara and ginger cake
Try something different to a carrot cake with this warming kumara and ginger cake for your next dinner party. Use a 24cm round cake pan.
Ingredients
1 cup canola oil
4 eggs
2 cups soft brown sugar
4 cm fresh ginger, peeled and grated
1½ tsp cinnamon
1½ tsp nutmeg
3 cups peeled and grated kumara
2 cups flour
1 tsp baking powder
1 tsp baking soda
1 tsp grated orange rind
icing sugar for dusting
Method
This article is sponsored by Add One More Vegetable - encouraging Kiwis to Add One More Vegetable to every meal. Check out their website for more recipe inspiration.
