5 practical and comforting recipes for winter

1. Creamy pumpkin soup with ginger

Main ingredients: pumpkin, ginger, onion, and seasonings to taste.

Simple preparation:

• Sauté the chopped onion and a touch of grated ginger in a drizzle of oil or olive oil.
• Add the cubed pumpkin, cover with water, and cook until very soft.
• Carefully blend the mixture in a blender, adjust the salt, and serve hot.

Practical tip: To save time in the kitchen, you can buy the pumpkin already peeled and chopped.

2. Quinoa with kale and nuts

Main ingredients: quinoa, kale, garlic, and chopped nuts.

Simple preparation:

• Sauté the minced garlic and thinly sliced kale until wilted.
• Add the quinoa and hot water, letting it cook over low heat until the liquid is absorbed.
• Finish by mixing in the chopped nuts for crunch and adjust the seasonings.

Practical tip: Rinse the quinoa well under running water using a fine sieve before cooking to eliminate the grains' naturally bitter taste.

3. Lentil stew with sweet potato and spinach

Main ingredients: lentils, sweet potato, spinach leaves, and olive oil.

Simple preparation:

• Cook the lentils in water with a pinch of salt until soft but firm.
• In another pan, sauté the sweet potato cubes and spinach leaves in olive oil.
• Mix the cooked lentils into the sauté, adjust the seasonings, and let it heat through completely before serving.

Practical tip: Red lentils or hulled green lentils usually cook faster, making them great options for everyday meals.

4. Brown rice soup with vegetables

Main ingredients: cooked brown rice, carrots, vegetables of your choice, and fresh herbs.

Simple preparation:

• Prepare a homemade broth by cooking carrots, onions, and other chopped vegetables in water.
• Add the pre-cooked brown rice to the broth so it absorbs the flavors.
• Finish with chopped fresh herbs, such as parsley or chives, just before serving.

Practical tip: This recipe is excellent for using up leftover brown rice and vegetables already in the fridge.

5. Roasted beets with coalho or fresh minas cheese

Main ingredients: beets, cheese of your choice (such as coalho or fresh minas), and walnuts.

Simple preparation:

• Cut the beets into small cubes, season with a drizzle of olive oil, and roast in the oven until soft.
• Lightly grill slices of cheese in a non-stick pan and cut into cubes.
• Mix the warm beets with the grilled cheese, sprinkle with chopped walnuts, and serve.

Practical tip: Cutting the beets into very small cubes significantly reduces oven time.