3 Recipes to keep you warm this winter
When the temperature drops, it is time for you to prepare a hearty and hot meal that will not only keep you warm, but it will also load your body with all the nutrients you need during winter and it will keep your immune system in balance. If you find yourself craving something that will warm you up on a cold day, try these 5 recipes that can make both a wonderful lunch and dinner.
French Onion Soup
Ingredients:
- 3 pounds yellow onions, peeled cut into quarter-moons
- 2 tbsp. melted unsalted butter
- 2 tbsp. olive oil
- 1 tsp salt
- freshly ground black pepper
- 2 tbsp. balsamic vinegar
- 10 cups beef broth
To Serve
- 4 to 6 baguette slices, toasted, per serving
- 2 cups grated Gruyere cheese (1/3 cup per serving)
- 1 chopped fresh onion
Preparation:
Place the onions in a slow cooker and season them according to taste. Add the butter and the olive oil. Cover and cook on low heat for 12 hours until dark golden and soft.
Stir in the broth and the vinegar. Cover and continue cooking for another 6 to 8 hours.
Preheat the oven to 180° Celsius. Put the soup in oven-safe bowls on a baking tray. Top each bowl with a slice of toast and lots of cheese. Bake for 20 minutes or until the cheese is melted.
Meatballs in tomato sauce
Ingredients:
- 2 cans of whole tomatoes
- 2 tbsp. of extra-virgin olive oil
- 2 tbsp. chopped basil leaves
- 3 crushed garlic cloves
- 2 pounds ground beef
- 3 tbsp. of dried bread crumbs
- 1 lightly beaten egg
- ½ cup of Parmigiano Reggiano cheese
- Salt, pepper
Preparation:
Crush the tomatoes into a slow cooker and add the olive oil, basil, and half of the garlic. Cover the pot and cook the sauce for 3 hours on high heat.
In a large bowl, mix the ground beef with the garlic that is left, the bread crumbs, the egg, a bit of the cheese, 1 tablespoon of salt and a pinch of pepper. Make the mixture into 18 meatballs.
Add the meatballs in the pot with the sauce, cover and cook and another hour, until the meatballs are well-done. Season more with salt and pepper according to taste.
Serve in bowls, sprinkle with basil and grate more cheese on top.
Baked sweet potatoes
Ingredients:
- 2 medium sweet potatoes
- 2 tbsp. low-fat sour cream
- 3 tsp fresh chives, chopped
- 2 tbsp. shredded cheddar cheese
- 2 tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil
Preparation:
Cut the sweet potatoes open in half and place on a baking tray. Preheat the oven to 180° Celsius. Cover with olive oil and season to taste. Place in the oven and bake for 30 minutes or until brown on top. 5 minutes before taking them out of the oven put the cheddar cheese on top of them to melt. When done, take them out and serve with sour cream and sprinkled chives on top.
At Barchester we recognise the importance of good-quality food in our lives. We make dining an enjoyable experience in our care homes. Our meals are always nutritious and tasty, plus our chefs take into account our residents’ individual tastes. You can visit our website to take a look at our delicious menu!
Find your nearest Barchester care home
With over 200 care homes in the UK, there's always a Barchester care home near you.