Hello and Happy New Year!

It’s January and the start of a new year, festive season and celebrations are over which means many things will seem quieter, slower and I’m sure, like me, you’re looking forward to get back into our normal routines, craving slow-cooked strews, cosy bowls of soup, lighter meals or simply looking for fresh ideas to ease you through the coldest weeks. Luckily, the UK’s winter produce is at its best right now: earthy roots, hardy greens, bright citrus, and the first forced rhubarb blushing its way into the shops.  I’ve gathered a few seasonal favourites to inspire your January cooking.

🥕 Vegetables

• Root veg: Parsnips, swedes, turnips, celeriac, carrots, beetroot, Jerusalem artichokes
• Brassicas: Brussels sprouts, sprout tops, cabbages (Savoy, red), cauliflower, kale
• Others: Leeks, chicory, purple sprouting broccoli (early), onions, shallots, garlic

🍎 Fruits

• Stored British fruit: Apples (Bramley, Cox, Russet), pears (Conference, Comice)
• Forced rhubarb: Early stems from Yorkshire begin to appear
• Imported winter stars: Blood oranges, clementines, pomegranates, Seville oranges, dates

🍲 Hearty Mains

• Venison stew with root vegetables – slow-cooked with red wine, rosemary, and juniper berries
• Beef and ale pie – tender beef in rich gravy topped with golden pastry
• Toad in the hole – sausages baked in Yorkshire pudding batter, served with onion gravy
• Lamb and buckwheat stuffed cabbage – comforting and full of flavour
• Brussel sprouts with pancetta – an easy, flavour‑packed side for weeknights or festive tables
• Cauliflower cheese – comforting side of tender florets baked in a rich, cheddar sauce
• Cheesy leek gratin – an easy, comforting gratin that’s perfect with roast chicken, sausages, or cosy winter dinners
• Potato gratin / dauphinoise – Thinly sliced potatoes baked in a rich, creamy garlic sauce with a golden, bubbling top

🥣 Soups & Starters

• Leek and potato soup – creamy and classic, perfect with crusty bread
• Celeriac, miso and tahini noodle soup – earthy and umami-rich
• Cauliflower and white bean soup with yuzu – warming with a citrus twist
• Parsnip and apple soup – an easy, comforting bowl that’s perfect for chilly autumn and winter days

🍰 Desserts & Bakes

• Apple pie – an easy, comforting dessert that’s perfect for autumn baking, Sunday lunches, and festive celebrations
• Sticky toffee pudding – rich sponge with luscious toffee sauce
• Rhubarb and orange drizzle cake – tangy and bright, using forced rhubarb
• Jam roly-poly – nostalgic suet pastry rolled with jam and served with custard
• Blood orange loaf cake – citrusy and moist