Winter Weeknight Wonders
Simple recipes designed to brighten up busy weeknights and bring comfort to chilly evenings
By the end of January, weeknights start to feel like a bit of a grind. The post-holiday buzz has long since faded, and with the days still dark and chilly, finding the energy to cook can be a challenge. That’s where this week’s recipes come in: quick, simple, and guaranteed to make dinner feel a little brighter, even on the busiest nights.
First up, the ultimate lazy cook’s hero: Slow Cooker Beef Ragu. If you haven’t tried this recipe yet, you’re in for a treat. The slow cooker does all the heavy lifting, transforming a handful of ingredients into a rich, flavour-packed sauce that’s perfect for tossing with pasta or spooning over creamy polenta. Pro tip: double the recipe and freeze half for a night when even chopping an onion feels like too much effort.
Next is Mushroom Risotto, which has a bit of a reputation for being high-maintenance but is actually very doable—especially if you approach it with the right mindset. The key is to keep the stock warm as you add it to the rice, which helps maintain the cooking temperature and keeps everything creamy. And don’t skimp on the sautéed mushrooms; they’re what give the dish its earthy depth. If you’re really short on time, you can even prep the mushrooms in advance and reheat them when needed.
Finally, for a quick and vibrant midweek pick-me-up, there’s Sweet & Sour Pork Stir-Fry. This is one of those recipes that feels like a takeaway treat but comes together in under 30 minutes. The secret to success is getting the wok or pan really hot before you start cooking—it’ll speed up the cooking time and help the pork caramelise nicely and keep the vegetables crisp and vibrant. If you’re feeding a crowd, you can prep everything in advance and cook it in batches to avoid overcrowding the pan.
With a little planning and a few clever tricks, weeknight dinner can be delicious, comforting, and totally stress-free! Happy cooking!
Photography Credit: Donal Skehan
Food Styling Credit: Charlotte O’Connell
Yes is cornflour actually cornstarch when you call forbit in your recipes. Like your stir fry