Cosy Lunch Ideas for Cold Weather: Warm and Satisfying Meals

Cosy Lunch Ideas for Cold Weather: Warm and Satisfying Meals

Lunch Ideas When It’s Cold: Warm and Comforting Meals

When the weather turns chilly, there’s nothing better than a warm and hearty lunch to keep you cosy. These comforting recipes are perfect for cold days and are packed with flavour and nutrition.

8 Warm Lunch Ideas for Cold Days

  • Tomato and lentil soup
  • Shepherd’s pie
  • Chicken noodle soup
  • Vegetable curry with naan bread
  • Cheesy baked potatoes
  • Beef stew with dumplings
  • Mushroom risotto
  • Roasted vegetable and halloumi bake

Recipe 1: Tomato and Lentil Soup

Tomato and Lentil Soup

Ingredients:

  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 onion (chopped)
  • 2 carrots (chopped)
  • 2 cups chopped tomatoes (canned or fresh)
  • 1 cup red lentils (rinsed)
  • 4 cups vegetable stock
  • 1 teaspoon cumin
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

  1. Heat olive oil in a large pot and sauté the onion and carrots for 5 minutes.
  2. Add the chopped tomatoes, lentils, vegetable stock, and cumin.
  3. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 20 minutes until lentils are tender.
  4. Blend the soup until smooth (optional) and season with salt and pepper before serving.

Recipe 2: Shepherd’s Pie

Shepherd’s Pie

Ingredients:

  • 500g minced lamb
  • 1 onion (diced)
  • 2 carrots (diced)
  • 1 tablespoon tomato paste
  • 1 cup beef stock
  • 4 large potatoes (peeled and mashed)
  • 2 tablespoons butter
  • 1/4 cup milk
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

  1. Preheat the oven to 190°C (375°F).
  2. Cook the minced lamb in a pan until browned. Remove any excess fat.
  3. Add onion, carrots, tomato paste, and beef stock. Simmer for 15 minutes.
  4. Spread the lamb mixture into a baking dish.
  5. Mix the mashed potatoes with butter and milk, then spread them over the lamb mixture.
  6. Bake for 20–25 minutes or until the top is golden brown.

Recipe 3: Chicken Noodle Soup

Chicken Noodle Soup

Ingredients:

  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 onion (diced)
  • 2 carrots (sliced)
  • 2 stalks celery (sliced)
  • 1 litre chicken stock
  • 1 cup shredded cooked chicken
  • 100g egg noodles
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

  1. Heat olive oil in a pot and sauté the onion, carrots, and celery for 5 minutes.
  2. Pour in the chicken stock and bring to a boil.
  3. Add the shredded chicken and egg noodles, and cook for 7–8 minutes until the noodles are tender.
  4. Season with salt and pepper before serving.

Recipe 4: Vegetable Curry with Naan Bread

Vegetable Curry with Naan Bread

Ingredients:

  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 onion (diced)
  • 2 cups mixed vegetables (e.g., cauliflower, peas, carrots)
  • 1 can coconut milk
  • 2 tablespoons curry paste
  • 1 teaspoon turmeric
  • Fresh coriander for garnish
  • Naan bread (for serving)

Instructions:

  1. Heat olive oil in a pan and sauté the onion until soft.
  2. Add the curry paste and turmeric, and cook for 1 minute.
  3. Stir in the mixed vegetables and cook for 5 minutes.
  4. Pour in the coconut milk, bring to a simmer, and cook for 10 minutes.
  5. Garnish with fresh coriander and serve with naan bread.

Recipe 5: Cheesy Baked Potatoes

Cheesy Baked Potatoes

Ingredients:

  • 4 large potatoes
  • 1 cup grated cheddar cheese
  • 1/4 cup sour cream
  • 2 tablespoons chopped chives
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

  1. Preheat the oven to 200°C (400°F).
  2. Pierce the potatoes with a fork and bake for 45 minutes until tender.
  3. Cut the potatoes in half and scoop out some of the flesh.
  4. Mix the potato flesh with sour cream, half the cheese, salt, and pepper. Spoon back into the skins.
  5. Top with the remaining cheese and bake for 10 minutes. Garnish with chives before serving.

Recipe 6: Beef Stew with Dumplings

Beef Stew with Dumplings

Ingredients:

  • 500g stewing beef (cubed)
  • 1 onion (diced)
  • 2 carrots (sliced)
  • 2 cups beef stock
  • 1 tablespoon tomato paste
  • 1 cup self-raising flour
  • 50g butter
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

  1. Brown the beef in a pot and set aside.
  2. Sauté the onion and carrots, then add the beef, stock, and tomato paste. Simmer for 1 hour.
  3. Mix the flour and butter to form dumpling dough. Drop spoonfuls into the stew and cook for 20 minutes.
  4. Season with salt and pepper and serve hot.

Recipe 7: Mushroom Risotto

Mushroom Risotto

Ingredients:

  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 onion (diced)
  • 1 cup arborio rice
  • 1/2 cup white wine
  • 3 cups chicken or vegetable stock
  • 1 cup mushrooms (sliced)
  • 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

  1. Heat olive oil in a pan and sauté the onion until translucent.
  2. Add the arborio rice and stir for 2 minutes.
  3. Pour in the white wine and cook until absorbed.
  4. Add the stock, one ladle at a time, stirring continuously until each addition is absorbed.
  5. In a separate pan, sauté the mushrooms and add them to the risotto.
  6. Stir in Parmesan cheese and season with salt and pepper before serving.

Recipe 8: Roasted Vegetable and Halloumi Bake

Roasted Vegetable and Halloumi Bake

Ingredients:

  • 2 cups mixed vegetables (e.g., courgettes, peppers, red onions)
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 200g halloumi (sliced)
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

  1. Preheat the oven to 200°C (400°F).
  2. Place the mixed vegetables on a baking tray and drizzle with olive oil.
  3. Sprinkle with oregano, salt, and pepper, then roast for 15 minutes.
  4. Arrange the halloumi slices on top of the vegetables and roast for another 10 minutes until golden.
  5. Serve hot as a hearty lunch or light dinner.

Tips for Heating Meals on Cold Days

  • Use Insulated Containers: Pack soups and stews in thermos flasks to keep them warm until lunchtime.
  • Preheat Your Container: Rinse your thermos or insulated container with boiling water before adding food to retain heat longer.
  • Batch Cook and Freeze: Prepare large portions of warm meals like stews or soups, freeze them, and reheat as needed.
  • Add Bread or Crackers: Pair warm dishes with crusty bread or crackers for an extra layer of comfort.

You can purchase Deer & Oak kitchenware though our website at deerandoak.co.uk or through Amazon UK at amazon.co.uk


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