Winter around the world
Winter is the perfect time for aged care chefs and cooks to turn to heart-warming, cold-weather comfort foods. Encourage your residents to try new flavours with a cosy evening of winter favourites from around the world. No long flights or passports needed.
Transform your dining areas
- Nothing evokes feelings of warmth and cosiness more than the rich warm colours. Give your dining room a glow of warmth by using some warm-coloured tablecloths.
- Make sure the ambient temperature is high enough to keep everyone warm. Have knitted shawls and woollen blankets to hand for those who are extra sensitive to the cold.
- Create simple centrepieces for dining tables out of pinecones and branches with a bright coloured native such as a waratah to give the effect of a warming fire.
Menu inspiration from around the world
Main meals
Europe
Hungarian Goulash is a popular Eastern European dish, especially in winter. Each country has its own version of this soup/stew, which traditionally contains onions, Hungarian paprika spice, tomatoes and some green pepper. Potatoes, noodles and even dumplings can be added for the taste of a traditional winter meal. Try our Diced Steak and Mushroom Goulash.
Venture further north for some classic Nordic fare. Try Swedish Meatballs with Cream Sauce.
India
Spices such as turmeric, cayenne pepper and curry powder not only give heat to a dish, they are also widely known for their positive health benefits and keeping the winter chills at bay. Indian curries are so varied in their origins, flavours and ingredients, it is almost impossible not to find one your residents will love. While India isn’t the first country that comes to mind when thinking about winter, the foothills of the Himalayas and the mountain country can get well below freezing. Offer these delicious recipes for residents to sample. For vegetarians, try our Egg and Vegetable Curry or add more protein with fish with this Sri Lankan Curry.
South America
Spice up your breakfast menu with a South American-inspired Huevos Rancheros or you can try Mexican Quiche for a protein-filled mid-meal snack.
North Africa
Almost every culture has a version of a slow cooked dish. On the African continent, tagines have been used for centuries to cook dishes with rich and hearty flavours. And of course the process of slow cooking helps keep the food moist and ‘melt-in-the-mouth’ tender.
For a North African treat, try our Moroccan Lamb Tagine and Moroccan Vegetable Stew.
Desserts
French cuisine has become integral in many cultures – so much so, we often forget that some of our favourite dishes come from France. A delicious crème brulee, with its hard caramel top is a popular winter dessert to serve after a hearty main, and can be made even more special for the occasion by adding a unique flavour to it.
Try our lavender-infused version of this French classic.
Disclaimer: The content of this article is created for inspiration purposes only. It is not intended as clinical, medical or nutritional advice.
