Winter around the World

Winter is the perfect time for Aged Care Chefs to turn to bone-warming, cold-weather comfort foods. Invite your residents to a cosy evening of winter favourites from around world.

Transform your dining areas

• Nothing invokes feelings of warmth and cosiness more than rich warm colours. Give your dining room a glow of warmth by using red 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 for 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

Europe - Goulash

It isn’t really winter in Europe without a hearty Hungarian dish called Goulash. Each country in Europe has its own version of this soup/stew, that traditionally contains onions, Hungarian paprika spice, tomatoes and some green pepper. Potato, noodles and even dumplings can be added for the taste of a traditional European winter meal serve. Try our Diced Steak and Mushroom Goulash.

India - Curry

Spices such as turmeric, cayenne pepper and curry powder not only give heat to a dish, they are also great for immune boosting 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 you love. While India isn’t the first country that comes to mind when thinking about winter, the foothills of the Himalaya and the mountain country can get well below freezing. Offer this delicious recipe for residents who prefer vegetables to meat. Try our Egg and Vegetable Curry.

Latin America - Feijoada

One pot of Brazilian feijoada is fit for any occasion. This hearty stew was introduced by the Portuguese in the mid-1500s, and traditionally contains a mix of beans with beef and pork and served with rice, vegetables, assorted sausages. The dish has since evolved to include smoked meats, traditional salted pork offcuts and side dishes such as rice and even fresh oranges. To add some delicious Latin flavours to your event, try our Huevos Rancheros.

North America - Mac & Cheese

There’s no denying that mac and cheese is one of the most cost-effective winter comfort foods around and is America’s number-one pasta recipe. In fact, it’s so popular that in any given twelve-week period, approximately one-third of the population of the United States will eat macaroni and cheese at least once. Try Macaroni Cheese Lasagne, an interesting twist on traditional lasagne using macaroni instead of lasagne sheets. 

Morocco - Kefta Mkaouara

Almost every culture has a version of slow cooking. On the African continent Tagines have been used for centuries for cooking dishes that have deep flavour. The process of slow cooking the food in meat juices and vegetables keeps the food moist and ensures sure the meat is ‘melt-in-the-mouth’ tender. Kefta Mkaouara is a combination of seasoned meatballs cooked with a spicy tomato sauce. Eggs are often added at the end, cracked onto the top of the meat and vegetables and left to cook until firm. It is traditionally served with fresh bread to soak up the sauce. For a Middle Eastern treat, try our Moroccan Lamb Meatballs.

France – Crème Brulee

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.