Recipes that give me life

The ultimate comfort food

Do you have go to recipes?

You know the ones that provide comfort, especially on a dreary day?

I thought the season for soups and stews was over, but given the endless winter we’re having in the UK and the fact that we’re at least another month behind in Orkney, I thought I’d share the recipes that have given me life over the past few months.

Iron Soup by Ella Risbridger

My wonderful friend Alice gifted me The Year of Miracles: Recipes About Love + Grief + Growing by Ella Risbridger a couple of years ago. It’s a delight. Yes it’s a collection of recipes, but it’s so much more. It’s not simply a list of instructions, it’s as if she’s there with you, having a conversation and telling you what comes next. Full of stories, reflections and gorgeous illustrations, it is a thing of beauty.

Iron soup might not sound utterly delicious but it is. Tomatoes, hardy kale and lentils, with a good helping of sriracha. It’s perfect for warming the cockles.

Sadly I can’t eat lentils, they do something inside me which is rather uncomfortable so I use yellow split peas instead. Don’t ask me why. I can eat any amount of peas, beans or peanuts with no ill effects (except for anyone downwind maybe) but can’t seem to digest a lentil. What I wouldn’t give for a bowlful of Dahl. But no, it’s just not worth it.

Unfortunately the recipe isn’t available online, but it’s easy and trust me when I say…chuck some tomatoes, stock and lentils along with a really good squeeze or 5 of sriracha into a pan. Bring to a boil/simmer and leave gently bubbling until the lentils are cooked but not overcooked. Then add shredded kale or any other hardy green leaf. Leave that to cook down while you fry an egg and you are done.

Get the book here: Bookshop.org

Murgh Makhani (Butter Chicken)

The first time Erik made this I thought I had died and gone to heaven, almost. We didn’t have naan. It is so much better with naan. I’m not going to pretend I have anything to do with this meal other than eating it, Erik is always the one that makes it. And it has now become commonplace as a Sunday night meal with a beer, while we try not to think about the week ahead.

The ultimate fakeaway: Cafe Delites

Slow Cooker Soupy Stew

Not a recipe as such more a one pot wonder, we all have them right? My favourite is made with onion, garlic, chilli, oregano, sweet potato, tinned tomatoes, carrot and stock. Once it’s cooked through blend, add chickpeas and pop it on high for 30 minutes. Set it off at 8am and it’s ready for lunch. Best pimped up with coarsley grated Parmesan.

Any combination of veg, herbs and spices will work. When it comes to the beans though, go for something tough, like chickpeas, kidney beans, black beans or black eyed beans and avoid the delicate white ones as they tend to go to mush. You want substance, something to chew on. And if you need a carb hit, I’d recommend some brown rice or bulgar wheat.

Sticky Gingerbread

Like a good chilli, this needs to rest for 24 hours before the good eating happens. I couldn’t tell you how many times I’ve made this cake, but the page is covered in cake mix! It’s from the first Great British Bake Off book, back when baking was achievable and wasn’t all about illusion cakes, mirror glaze and making macarons as a little addition to the main bake.

You know, when Mary Berry was at the helm and Mel and Sue kept us entertained. When they just made cake, or a pie and baked some bread. Simpler times. Better times.

I managed to find the recipe on the ‘It’s not easy being greedy’ blog, written by Tracy Knatt. I was mighty relieved because the thought of having to type it all out would probably have made me pick a different cake and you do not want to miss this one: It's not easy being greedy

Gingerbread & Brownies

I love cake and I love chocolate.

In fact, I love food. To be fair it’s showing. This move to Orkney has not been generous to me, I’m definitely growing!

Anyway, brownies…

Chocolate Brownies

Brownies can be disappointing and searching for the perfect recipe over the years has been a bit of an ordeal. So. Many. Brownies. They’re either too cakey or too complicated. Not this one from BBC Good Food though: BBC Good Food

I don’t add pretzels, but I do add in a few sneaky chocolate chips. The recipe says cook for 30-35 minutes, definitely check this one at 30 minutes, as I find this is the sweet spot. Pun intended. All ovens vary.

There you have it my winter eats.

What are your go to meals?

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PPS. Again if you are enjoying this stack please do share with your friends. Thanks, Han x