A pot of pumpkin soup is simmering away on the stove as I write this.
The comfort of a pot of soup or a stew cooking away goes a long way as winter hits.
Our columnists certainly think so, with plenty of inspiration for slow cooks and comfort food to cheer us up as the temperatures drop.
If you are planning a Matariki gathering, Alison Lambert has put together a perfect sharing menu including a seafood chowder and a slow-cooker hāngī with a serving of fry bread on the side.
For those with a sweet tooth, winter puds are a joy and Sam Sinclair’s sticky ginger steamed pud will hit the spot.
We have also pulled together a few baking recipes with a distinctly Kiwi flavour from some top New Zealand cooks including a couple featuring kūmera, a traditional vegetable to highlight during Matariki.
As winter progresses it can start to get hard to keep positive and when a holiday in the sun is not possible, food is a great way to cheer yourself up and Melanie Jenkins and Jo Wilcox’s Take Me to Spain does just that. It brings the sunshine and Mediterranean flavours right to your table.
Meanwhile, our wine writer Mark Henderson looks at the increasing popularity of Central Otago chardonnay with wines that will suit both heavy and light dishes.
Keep warm and happy.
