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As winter approaches, we yearn for comforting, warming meals. If only our busy lives afforded us the luxury of time to prepare soulful, slow-cooked meals traditionally associated with this time of year.
Thankfully, we can easily reach for stocks and seasoning bases: hero ingredients that speed up cooking time and add an instant flavour boost. These ingredient shortcuts lend depth to dishes that are typically only achieved through hours of simmering. They’re the perfect solution for busy people craving delicious, time-efficient winter meals.
Turn warming midweek meals into a stress-free affair, and keep the winter chill at bay with these quick and easy meal ideas.
01
Beef nachos
These beef nachos are a crowd-pleasing favourite that can be thrown together in just over 30 minutes. The only real cooking you need to do is pan-frying the mince in savoury Continental Chilli Con Carne Seasoning Base and melting the cheese once it’s all assembled. The result is a delicious, gooey crunch. For the final touch, dollop a generous amount of homemade guacamole and serve with lime wedges. Perfect for quick weeknight dinners or casual gatherings.
02
Slow cooker chilli
Requiring just 10 minutes of prep time, this slow cooker chilli is an ideal meal to come home to after a long day. Using Continental Vegetable Stock Pot Sensations, canned beans and tomatoes and dried spices make it an easy recipe to whip up from the pantry. With the convenience of a slow cooker, this meat-free chilli will slowly cook to perfection while you're at work or running errands, transforming into a hearty, warm and flavoursome dish.
03
French onion and beef stew with cheesy bread
Slow cooked to perfection, this French onion and beef stew is a winter must-have. The key is the Continental Beef Stock Pot Sensations, which adds a savoury richness to the stew, and blends harmoniously with the onions. Complemented by cheesy bread, this dish offers a delightful crunch and a flavour burst with each bite. Another feature of this dish is its adaptability – you can swap the gruyere cheese with mozzarella or cheddar for a cost-friendly alternative, and replace the sherry with red wine vinegar, without compromising the taste. Moreover, the stew can be made in a double batch, providing a ready stash for those busy weeknights.
04
Beef chow mein traybake
With this beef chow mein traybake recipe, you can enjoy a one-pan take on the popular Chinese noodle dish. The chow mein seasoning quickly enhances the flavour profile of the ground beef and veggies, producing a speedy yet satisfying meal with just five minutes of prep and three simple steps. It’s an innovative take on the traditional dish, requiring fewer ingredients without sacrificing the taste. What’s more, this recipe is a one-pan wonder, ensuring you can save time on washing up.
05
Vegetable stew
This vegetable stew recipe is perfect for those seeking a hearty, veggie-packed meal. Using Continental Vegetable Stock Pot Sensations provides an easy base, so you can easily adapt this recipe to whichever vegetables you have on hand. Use what’s in season, opt for leftover veg, tap into frozen veggies or try a mix of all three. The result is a quick, weeknight dinner chock full of goodness.
06
Shepherd’s pie with parsnip mash
A twist on the traditional pie, this shepherd’s pie with parsnip mash is a blend of familiar and novel and perfect for winter. Continental Beef Stock Pot Sensations is added to the beef mince filling, creating a rich and flavourful mixture in no time. Topped with a parsnip and potato mash instead of the traditional mashed potatoes, this dish is both a veggie-packed and high-protein meal. The combination of textures – soft, creamy mash and hearty, meaty filling – is the perfect amount of comforting and satisfying.
07
Moroccan pumpkin soup
Take your taste buds on a spice journey with this Moroccan pumpkin soup recipe. Continental Chicken Stock Pot Sensations adds a flavour boost and elevates the sweetness of the pumpkin, creating a harmonious blend with the Moroccan spices. The result is a flavoursome and aromatic soup that warms you from the inside out. This recipe showcases how a quick and easy soup can still be utterly satisfying, making it an excellent and convenient choice for a busy weeknight dinner.
08
Chicken pho
In just 30 minutes and with only three simple steps, you can indulge in a steaming bowl of Chicken pho. Continental Chicken Stock Pot Sensations helps cut down the usual time required for the aromatic base of this Vietnamese soup, making this recipe a quick option for chilly winter nights. For extra depth of flavour, let the stock simmer longer, allowing the herbs and spices to infuse longer. The result is a comforting, fragrant bowl of Vietnamese noodle soup.
09
Satay meatballs
Hack the chow mein recipe base seasoning in this new take on chicken satay. Swap skewers for chicken meatballs and coat them in a rich and flavourful satay sauce for a satisfying dinner ready in just 30 minutes.This recipe is also a good option for an appetiser or even as a party snack.
10
Tex Mex shredded chicken tacos
Rounding off our list are these easy Tex-Mex tacos, a family favourite that’s ready in 30 minutes. The shredded chicken is prepared in a bubbling mix of Continental Chicken Stock Pot Sensations, diced tomatoes and Continental Chilli Con Carne seasoning base, which gets reduced to form an easy sauce for the chicken. Serve with slaw and jalapeno sour cream and you’ve got a new taco recipe perfect for a fuss-free Taco Tuesday.