As the dark afternoons of January set in, the craving for deep, warming comfort food becomes undeniable. Forget the green juice resolutions; what the season truly calls for is a steaming bowl of stew, a dish that is hearty, reassuring, and gloriously slow-cooked.
A Global Tour of Comfort in a Bowl
Stew is a culinary chameleon, adapting to flavours from every corner of the world. It can be the rich, wine-infused French classic of a beef bourguignon, or a bright, citrusy chicken stew sparked with grapefruit. It travels from the smoky decks of a West Country fishing boat to the vibrant umami of a Thai basil and coconut broth. It carries the history of West African peanut stews across continents and finds cosy, plant-based magic in creamy almond butter and black beans.
The beauty of a stew lies in its forgiving nature. It improves with time, whether left overnight or simmering on low while you tackle the post-Christmas reset. It's adaptable, economical, and endlessly satisfying, served with rice, mash, couscous, or a chunk of good bread.
Chef-Inspired Recipes to See You Through Winter
We've gathered a collection of exceptional recipes from celebrated chefs and cookbook authors to banish the winter blues. Poppy O'Toole offers an unapologetically indulgent slow-cooker beef bourguignon, perfect for a night in. Nadiya Hussain brings a ray of sunshine with her grapefruit chicken stew, a surprising and delightful fusion of citrus and savoury.
For a taste of the sea, Gill Meller shares his stew of pork, bacon, and mushrooms with cider and cream, a dish born on a blustery fishing trip. Speed doesn't sacrifice depth in Ryan Riley's 30-minute Thai basil and coconut chicken stew, a midweek flavour explosion.
Plant-Based and Global Staples
The humble stew is also a star of vegan and vegetarian cooking. Melissa Thompson's peanut and sweet potato stew traces a rich West African lineage, while Lucy Watson advocates for patience with her slow-cooked vegan white bean stew topped with fluffy dumplings. Ella Mills (Deliciously Ella) creates a creamy, spiced black bean and almond butter stew that improves with a night in the fridge.
From Donal Skehan's make-ahead Moroccan-style meatballs to Sophie Ellis-Bextor's family-friendly cod and chorizo stew, there's a set-and-forget solution for every taste. Jack Monroe provides the ultimate "self-love stew," a one-pot reset for difficult weeks, proving that comfort and nourishment are always within reach.
So, if January feels long and cold, let a good stew be your solace. These recipes are more than just meals; they are a warm, delicious embrace against the winter chill.
