If you're in need of food that'll warm you up, look no further, says Jennie Milsom.
KEY POINTS:
1. Indulge in a mug of home-made hot chocolate. Put 1/2 cup chopped dark chocolate into a pan with 2 cups milk and a cinnamon stick. Bring to the boil, whisking, until chocolate has melted. Pour into a mug and top with whipped cream and grated chocolate.
2. Luscious onion soup with cheesy croutons will keep the chills away. For the richest flavour, fry the onions until they're dark and sticky, add real beef stock (apologies to all vegetarians) and a full-flavoured cheese, such as fresh parmesan, to melt over the croutons.
3. Set yourself up in front of an open fire with a bag of marshmallows. Push them on to skewers, then turn them slowly above the flames until toasted and golden. Dip into melted chocolate, then sliced almonds.
4. Transform a plain old ham and cheese sandwich by grilling it on both sides. Spoon over hot bechamel sauce, sprinkle over some grated cheese and finish off under the grill. Cutlery required - this can get very, very messy, but it's worth it.
5. Top a stew with dumplings. Add shredded suet to self-raising flour, chopped parsley and enough water to mix to a dough, then shape into dumplings.
6. Warm up with a chilli con carne made with braising steak instead of regular mince and stir in a little dark chocolate before serving.
7. Nothing beats a good old-fashioned pudding. And leftover croissants and brioche make the best bread-and-butter pudding. Extra custard on the side is a must, too.
8. Transform macaroni cheese from the mundane to the memorable by adding some fried bacon and onion to the cooked pasta and cheese sauce, top with breadcrumbs mixed with extra cheese and grill until golden and crunchy.
9. Who can refuse roast chicken with all the trimmings? And you can't beat home-made bread sauce. Simmer milk with cloves and sliced onion, strain and then stir in breadcrumbs over a low heat. Finish with a grating of nutmeg, a dash of cream and butter and plenty of sea salt and cracked pepper.
10. Finally - never underestimate the warming qualities of red wine - especially of the mulled variety. Simmer a bottle of full-bodied red with cinnamon sticks, orange peel and cloves, give it a good glug of brandy, then serve in liberal measures. The perfect after-dinner drink to share with a few friends by a roaring fire. Instant warmth.
- Detours, HoS
