Winter Curry

Winter curry is the best when the temperatures are super-cold in the Highlands. There’s nothing nicer than coming home to a hearty, ready-cooked warm meal – something that’s tasty, nourishing, you can eat from a bowl and is just so good for the soul.

My one-pot winter warmer vegetable curry fits the description perfectly. It has been a long-time favourite in my family. I cook it almost weekly in the colder months and share it around with Mum, Dad, my sister, my brother, my son and my daughter and their families. And because it’s filled with plenty of vibrantly coloured vegetables and herbs, it has terrific anti-inflammatory properties, which make it fantastic for fighting off winter’s colds and flu.

Easy Winter Curry

The other bonus is that it’s so easy to make – you just throw everything in the slow cooker in the morning and it’s ready to devour when you walk in the door after a long day.

Here’s my not-so-secret Recipe:

Ingredients:

• 2 garlic cloves (or more if you need a bit of an immune-boost)

• 1 medium to large knob of ginger, grated (adjust size according to your taste preference)

• A teaspoon paprika

• 1 teaspoon curry powder

• ½ teaspoon nutmeg

• A ½ cup fresh basil, roughly chopped

• ¼ cup dried kidney beans

• A 1/4 cup dried chick peas

• 1 tablespoon fresh turmeric, grated

• A sprig of spring onion, chopped

• 4 bay leaves

• Salt and pepper, to taste

• 1 brown onion, diced

• 2 medium sweet potatoes, cubed (leave the skin on for extra nutrients and fibre)

• ½ head of cauliflower, roughly chopped

• A ½ small head of cabbage, roughly chopped

• 6 Brussels sprouts (if you like them – leave them out if you don’t)

• ½ butternut pumpkin, cubed (leave the skin on if you want more fibre, but peel it if you prefer)

• 6 x stalks of celery, sliced medium width

• Six to eight purple and orange baby carrots, used whole

Put all ingredients in the slow cooker and fill to an inch below the top with either vegetable stock or water. Set to medium and leave to cook while you’re at work all day.

Serve by itself or with a scoop of brown rice.

Enjoy,

Love, Di xx