When the temperature drops, few things are as satisfying as a meal that brings warmth, comfort and plenty of flavour to the table. From slow-simmered soups and rich pasta dishes to smoky braai favourites and hearty family recipes, these comforting winter meals are made for cosy evenings and second helpings. Featuring recipes from some of South Africa’s favourite cookbook authors, alongside Jamie Oliver, this collection celebrates the dishes we turn to when we crave something nourishing, nostalgic and deeply satisfying. Whether you’re cooking for family, friends or simply yourself, there’s a winter warmer here for every appetite.
“I had this delicious soup once in a workers’ restaurant behind the vegetable market in Dubai. It was simple and honest – the kind of meal that wraps its arms around you after a long day. Simmered low and slow on the stove, this soup is thick with earthy lentils and lamb on the bone so tender it falls apart with the gentlest of stirs. Cumin, coriander, cardamom and garlic rise in the steam like a memory, warming the back of your throat before the first spoonful ever touches your tongue. My family loves this rich and hearty broth, especially the wonderful aromas that fill the house and stir the appetite when it’s bubbling away in the kitchen.”
Workers' Lamb & Lentil Soup
by Jenny Morris from Greedy Girl
“Walking through the shopping district of my hometown, Isipingo, was like stepping into a whirling kaleidoscope: a collision of brightly coloured shop windows, greengrocers, tearooms and cafés at every turn. And, in their midst, a traditional herbalist, clothing stores, a pharmacy and a butchery too. PJ Powers and Sipho ‘Hotstix’ Mabuse would be blasting at full volume over transistor radios. This is what gave rise to fusion recipes such as this one. Combining elements of isiZulu and Indian cooking, dishes like township chicken put Isipingo on the map as a symbol of cultural integration and historical significance. As children, we were raised mainly on a diet of curry and rice, so chicken cooked this way was such a hit that we would fight over it. There is no official recipe, so I recreated it here from memory and added a few touches.”
Township Chicken
by Yudhika Sujanani from Madame Curry
Cauliflower takes centre stage in this smoky, flavour-packed barbecue dish from Jamie Oliver’s BBQ. Charred over the coals and paired with a rich romesco sauce made from roasted peppers, tomatoes and almonds, it’s a simple yet impressive way to bring bold Mediterranean-inspired flavours to your next braai.
Romesco Cauliflower
by Jamie Oliver from BBQ
Lamb Lasagne
by Hendrik Marais from Living the Ultimate Carnivore Lifestyle
Lasagne might not be the first dish that comes to mind on a carnivore diet, but this clever version delivers all the comfort without the pasta. Layers of rich lamb mince, creamy parmesan sauce and egg-based sheets come together in a hearty, satisfying bake that doesn’t compromise on flavour.
Pasta Bolognese
by Zola Nene from Simply More Zola
“As familiar and comforting as Bolognese is to me now, I didn’t grow up eating it at home. I don’t think my mom ever cooked a pot of Bolognese. It’s one of those dishes I ate at my friends’ houses when I visited and I really got into it when I went to university. In fact, I had a friend who I lived with in private res whose speciality was Bolognese and she used to make it for the housemates often. It may have only become a nostalgic dish for me later in life, but it still hits the spot every time I make it.”
