From the Editor Winter gets a bad rap as a season. We all hang out for the balmy days of summer but there is something liberating about cold, wet, rainy days. For a start, they’re perfect for a weekend sleep-in with no attacks of the guilts for not being out and about making the most of good weather.
And when else do you get to hire a DVD and hunker down on a glum day to watch a chick flick without a hint of remorse? Of course, indulging in a sweet treat is an obligatory part of enjoying such occasions and there’s the added bonus of knowing you’ve still got several months to get the old bod beach-ready.
We decided to embrace the upside of chilly winter weather this issue and give you all the inspiration you need to hunker down and enjoy some time at home revelling in the delights of the simple things in life.
So after a lazy start to the day, make the most of the lousy weather by doing not a lot more than sitting down to savour a leisurely brekkie or brunch. We’ve put together recipes for some of our fave morning. Everyone loves being treated to a big breakfast and it’s a great way to share a bit of quality time together.
When it comes to baking, there’s nothing more fun than letting loose your creative streak. Cupcakes are so easy to make that there’s no begrudging the time spent decorating them. And it’s so much fun, too. Why not ask some friends round for a cosy afternoon watching DVDs and sampling some of the very yummy? Who can’t help but smile when offered something as cute as the Flower or Pina Colada Cupcakes? It’s so simple to make people feel special by serving them little treats like this. With a cupcake or two to enjoy, no one will care in the slightest that it’s a cold, grim day outside. Promise!
One thing about winter is that fresh produce tends to be a bit expensive. Stocking up on some frozen veges is a great way to stick to the budget and they’re a convenient backstop for weeknight meals when the day has been a big rush. Sophie Gray has some fabulous suggestions for cooking with frozen. Hearty meals like these are just what we crave when the weather is cold. We’ve also got some great suggestions for cooking with frozen seafood and fish fillets. Have some on hand – you’ll find it’s a lifesaver not to have to dash out into the cold to buy something to cook for dinner.
Novelist Stanley Crawford remarked, "Winter is the time of promise because there is so little to do – or because you can now and then permit yourself the luxury of thinking so." I’ll second that. Here’s to enjoying a sleep-in and leisurely breakfast, and a cupcake treat, to celebrate cold days. Chilling out can be fun!
Sarah Beresford
Editor
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