Quick and easy winter dinners

1. Quick And Easy Winter Dinners If you’re anything like us, the colder and darker weather has been getting to you a little bit. We’re not talking about massive impacts here, just the general sense of simply not wanting to do anything when you come home from work in winter, suddenly longing for a new heater and realizing the clothes in your wardrobe aren’t warm enough. That feeling certainly isn’t helpful when you’re trying to convince yourself that it’s not acceptable to eat freezer meals 5 evenings a week, no matter how convenient they are. Here are our ideas for quick and easy winter dinners: Creamy Chicken & Spinach Pasta Serves 4, takes 20 minutes, only uses one pot and one bowl which means you’ll spend less time cleaning up and more time catching up with Game of Thrones and a warming bowl of pasta on your lap. Ingredients:  3 cups uncooked pasta  1 cup frozen peas  2 garlic cloves, crushed (or garlic powder)  1 tablespoon butter  1 cup double cream  2 cups cooked chicken  6 cups fresh baby spinach Method: 1.Cook the pasta, add the frozen peas approximately in the last minute. 2.Drain pasta, put aside in a bowl. 3.Use the pasta pot to melt the butter and add the garlic for 30 seconds. 4.Now add cream, chicken and baby spinach and stir for 3 minutes. 5.Add the pasta back to the pot and toss everything carefully to combine. Add a little water if the sauce is too thick.

2. 6.Season with pepper and parmesan if desired. “Homemade” Cheese Pockets Great go-to super quick dinner that requires no cooking (just baking) and almost no preparation. Ingredients:   Puff Pastry (or Savoury Short Pastry) Sheets Filling of your choice (cheese, cherry tomatoes, spinach and mushrooms are our favourite) Method: 1.Thaw the pastry sheet (careful not to overcook it if you use the microwave) so you can bend it easily. 2.Put all fillings on one side, making sure not to use too much. 3.Fold the pastry sheet over, pressing down the edges with a fork so the cheese can’t escape. 4.Bake according to instructions on the packet. Warming Chorizo Soup Super easy and quick to make and so delicious all your friends will want the recipe! Serves 4 and requires 30 minutes.

3. Ingredients:  1 chorizo sausage round, sliced  1 onion, chopped  garlic to taste  2 tins of chopped tomatoes  500ml vegetable stock (or more)  1 tin chickpeas  herbs to taste Method: 1.Heat some olive oil in a large pot. Add the onions and garlic. Cook for 2 minutes. 2.Add chorizo slices, cook for 3 minutes or until the fat in the chorizo starts to sizzle. 3.Add vegetable stock and tomatoes. Season with pepper and herbs to taste, Bring to the boil. 4.Add chickpeas, cover and cook until chickpeas are tender (usually 15-20 minutes). 5.Serve with a slice of fresh bread.