Quick and Easy Winter Recipes

Winter is here, meaning no more barbecues and outdoor cooking, and more extensive cooking in the warmth of your own kitchen. Although it’s hard to beat tucking into a simple cooked burger right from the barbecue, cooking in your own home allows more room for creativity and availability of a variety of different cooking appliances to cook different types of foods. One benefit of barbecues that are missed throughout the winter is the fast preparation and cooking time. Most food on a barbecue takes less than 20 minutes to be fully ready to eat. If you miss the quick preparation time from barbecues, we have found a number of deliciously simple recipes for you to try this winter that’ll be ready within no time!

Mexican Chicken Burger (Serves 1)

Ingredients

  • 1 chicken breast

  • 1 teaspoon of chipotle paste

  • 1 juiced lime

  • 1-2 slices of cheese

  • 1 brioche bun

  • ½ an avocado

  • 2 chopped cherry tomatoes

  • 3-4 chopped pickled jalapeno slices

  • ½ Finely Grated Small Garlic Clove

Method

  1. Put the chicken breast between two pieces of cling film and bash with a rolling pin, or pan until the chicken breast is approximately 1cm thick.

  2. Mix the chipotle paste with half the lime juice, then spread the mixture over the chicken.

  3. Heat a griddle pan over a high heat on your hob. Once the griddle pan is hot, cook the chicken for 3 minutes on each side until cooked through, adding the cheese for the final 2 minutes of cooking. Place the bun on the griddle cut-side down to toast lightly. Then finally, season the chicken.

  4. Whilst the chicken is cooking, mash the avocado with the remaining lime juice, then stir in the cherry tomatoes, jalapeno, and garlic, adding a little salt at the end for seasoning. 

  5. Once the bun is lightly toasted, spread the avocado mix over the base of the bun, then add the chicken, followed by the top of the bun. 

Smoky Chilli Chicken and Sweetcorn Pizza

Ingredients

  • 100g of barbecue sauce

  • 1-2 tablespoons of chipotle paste

  • 2 large ready-made pizza bases

  • 175g of grated mozzarella

  • 200g of canned sweetcorn (drained)

  • 300g jarred red peppers (drained and tore into slices)

  • 200g cooked sliced chicken

  • Small pack of coriander (leaves only)

  • 2 fat green chillies (sliced)

Method

  1. Preheat your oven to 220C.

  2. Mix the chipotle paste and barbecue sauce together in a bowl. Place the pizza bases on 2 large baking trays and spread over the sauce. Scatter the mozzarella over the pizza, and top with the sweetcorn, peppers, and chicken.

  3. Bake the pizza for 20 minutes, swapping the trays over halfway through cooking, until the cheese has melted and the pizza is piping hot. Scatter the coriander and green chillies after cooking if you like it extra spicy.

  4. Allow the pizza to cool, slice the pizza and serve once cool.

Simplified Katsu Curry

Ingredients

  • 4 breaded chicken steaks

  • 1 tablespoon of vegetable oil

  • 1 chopped onion

  • 2 chopped carrots (chopped in chunks)

  • 500ml of chicken gravy

  • 2 teaspoons of mild curry powder

  • 1 tablespoon of smooth peanut butter

  • 2 tablespoons of soy sauce

Ingredients to Serve

  • Pickled red cabbage

  • Cooked rice

  • 100g bag of crunchy salad

Method

  1. Preheat the oven to 200C.

  2. Cook the chicken following pack instructions. 

  3. Whilst the chicken is being cooked, to make the katsu sauce, heat the oil in a medium saucepan and fry the onion and carrots for approximately 8-10 minutes, or until the carrot and onion are soft, but not golden. 

  4. Transfer the onion and carrot to a blender. Add the peanut butter, gravy, curry powder, and soy sauce, then blend until very smooth.

  5. Pour the sauce mixture back into the pan and heat until the sauce is simmering hot, stirring the mixture frequently.

  6. Once the chicken has cooked, slice the chicken into strips, divide between 4 plates, then pour the katsu sauce over.

  7. Add a spoonful of pickled red cabbage to each portion and serve the chicken katsu curry with cooked rice and mixed salad leaves. 

Miso Steak

Ingredients

  • 2 tablespoons of brown miso paste

  • 1 tablespoon of dry sherry of sake

  • 1 tablespoon of caster sugar

  • 2 crushed garlic cloves

  • 11oz/300g lean steak

Ingredients to Serve

  • Baby spinach

  • Sliced cucumber

  • Celery

  • Radish 

  • Toasted sesame seeds

Method

  1. Tip the miso paste, sherry or sake, sugar and garlic into a sealable food bag. Season the mix with a generous grind of black pepper, then squash it all together until completely mixed.

  2. Add the steak to the bag, gently massage the marinade into the steak until completely coated, then seal the bag. Place the bag in the fridge and leave for at least an hour, however, up to 2 days is fine.

  3. To cook, heat a heavy-based frying pan or griddle pan until very hot. Wipe the excess marinade off the steak, then sear for three minutes on each side for medium-rare, or for a few more minutes if you prefer the meat more well done. 

  4. Set aside for a minute to rest, then carve the beef into thick slices and serve with a crunchy salad made with spinach, cucumber, celery, radish, and sesame seeds.


Ovens Croydon

As it is that time of the year where all of our cooked meals at home come from our kitchen, it is important to have a fully functioning and efficient oven in your home. If your current oven is old, faulty, or you currently do not own an oven and are interested in a new oven in your home. Visit Budget Appliances for brand new Ovens in Croydon or other cookers from a variety of high-end brands. This blog was written by BD who is the marketer for Budget Appliances. Ben has a passion for the growth of businesses and inspiring people with his content.