Top Recipes for Winter

Serve up super supper fare to warm up your winter dinner party 

Winter is the season when we get to binge watch Game of Thrones (we’re still recovering from the last episode!) and eat all manner of delicious and divinely indulgent things. It’s also the time when the moody weather forces us to stay indoors, which means dinner parties, glühwein, board games and movie nights with friends and family – all the best things in life really.

Hosting a winter dinner party can sometimes be hard work, which is why we’ve browsed through our recipes to put together a list of some of our favourite cold weather warmers, which obviously include glühwein and malva pudding.

There’s nothing like glühwein to kick-start a good night in, especially if you follow this recipe for the spicy warm wine by Roland Gorgosilich, the executive chef of Bosman’s Restaurant at the Grande Roche estate. Including plenty of orange juice and zest to pep up the beautiful flavour of the red wine, the cinnamon-spiced classic is laced with brandy – an ideal combination to get the party going.  

For your opening act food wise, it’s important to consider who you’re cooking for. If your friends are vegetarians then you obviously need to opt for something wholesome, meat-free and tasty – exactly like this delectable layered aubergine and lentil tajine. A locally-loved option on the menu at Rick’s Café Americain, chef Per Menkö’s tried and tested feel-good Moroccan casserole oozes with golden ricotta, mozzarella and parmesan, perfectly complemented by aubergines, tomato, fresh basil and spicy lentils.

For non-vegetarians, you can’t go wrong with this recipe that puts a special spin on a traditional Cape Malay bobotie. Developed by Michelin-trained chef Stefan Schmidt, who currently manages the kitchen at Trees Restaurant, this bobotie is humble food at its most elevated. Taking on a popular ‘deconstructed’ approach, this isn’t the classic as you’ve ever seen it before, and the recipe is quite long, but stick with it and you’ll have a gorgeous dish with which to impress your family and friends.

Winter and malva pudding go together like red wine and spice – there’s nothing more comforting than the rich, warm, buttery dessert served with a hefty dollop of homemade custard. Originally Dutch, South Africans made this recipe our own with the addition of apricot jam, which adds a delightful tartness. This version from the Hope family archives is packed with flavour and is ideally dished up with ice-cream, custard or cream.

If your guests have any space left, then wow them with an Irish coffee to finish off the evening. You can also read our article on the origins of the drink to show-off your Drunk History fact-relating skills. Essentially just strong black coffee and whiskey, what really makes this beverage is the swirl of cream that floats on its surface like a soft cloud.

And there you have all the ingredients you need for a memorable night in. Of course, if you don’t feel like cooking, you can always take advantage of these winter restaurant specials instead!

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Learn to cook the Indian way.

If you’re eager to explore new places in Cape Town this winter then check out our list of exciting hot spots recently opened in the Mother City.  Alternatively, pop into one of these places to eat a delicious meal by a crackling fire. Additionally, eat your way through winter at these hidden foodie gems. 

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