Cold, dark evenings, crisp, fresh mornings and the prospect of ice. Winter in France comes with many charms as well as challenges making it an excellent reason to hunker down and enjoy some really feel-good food. And the good people at Bacon by the Box have put their heads together to come up with some wonderful winter recipe ideas made with some winning ingredients that bring together a dash of French elegance, a whole heap of Irish charm and a familiar soupcon of British tradition. And they deliver direct from Ireland to France – everything you need from fresh products like their beef, pork and lamb coming straight from their family farm in Waterford in Ireland and familiar store cupboard staples from the UK. Dust off your pots and pans, put in your order with Bacon by the Box and look forward to warm winter nights in front of the fire with some of these sublimely indulgent Irish, English and French flavours for warming winter recipes:
Colcannon Mash and Champ
Head down to your local French market and stock up on potatoes, kale (or cabbage as a substitute) and spring onions to make this hearty Irish classic. Guaranteed to keep the cold away and fuel up for the winter, pair it with some traditional Irish pork sausages for a perfect Franco / Celtic marriage. Serve it with a fresh and lively French white wine, like Sauvignon Blanc, to contrast with the rich flavours and you are winning at winter!
Irish Boeuf Bourguignon with English Dumplings
One of the joys of Boeuf Bourguignon is that it cooks slowly so you can pop it in the oven and while wild weather rages outside, the rich aromas slowly fill the house with the expectation of a really good meal to come.
Use Bacon by the Box premium-quality Irish beef from cattle that has been reared on the green pastures of the County Waterford coast along with Lisduggan farm smoked streaky bacon. Add a great French Burgundy to the pot and for that hearty hint of home, add English Dumplings made with Atora suet. It’s a French / Irish / English combo to make you proud to be European.
Curry Nights to Keep the Cold Away
Sometimes, nothing beats a good curry whether you’re cooking for two and a relaxed meal in front of the TV or organising a big get together with friends.
Bacon by the Box can supply premium quality beef, lamb and chicken as well as all the must have curry extras like pappadums, lime pickle, curry kits and a huge range of curry sauces. Cooking curry doesn’t get any easier than this and you’ll still get all the great flavours of home. Add your French veg from the market and grab a few bottles of your favourite French beer for a curry night to remember.
Bangers ‘n Mash Heaven
Ok, when it’s really miserable outside it’s time to pull out the big guns! And they don’t get much bigger (in terms of flavour) or better than this!
Check out the Bacon in the Box range of sausages. They have garlic and leek, pork and apple and even black pudding sausages. And as this meal is all about going big on comfort, what better to serve with it than aligot – that delicious combination of creamy, cheesy mashed potatoes made with Irish cheddar, of course! And did you know, that aligot, which comes from the Auvergne region, dates back to the 12th century and is associated with a number of legends. It was probably invented by monks serving it to the pilgrims on their way to Santiago de Compostela (although the potatoes came as a later addition).
Steak and Ale Pie
Sometimes, you need something quickly and easy that has memories of home and enough substance to get you through the winter weather. Cue a perennial favourite: Fray Bentos steak and kidney pie served with mushy peas (already mushed for you, of course). And just because it is quick and easy doesn’t mean you shouldn’t wash it down with a really good bottle of French Bordeaux wine!
Pudding Perfection
French fruit tarts are the stuff of legends whether your weakness is a classic tarte Tatin, a Normandy apple tarte or Galette de Prunes. And the perfect way to make them just a little bit naughtier and a whole lot more morish than they already are, is by adding a dash (or two) of Ambrosia custard. Thick and creamy from the tin or nice and lumpy like they made at school. That is heaven on a plate.
Irish, English and French flavours for warming winter recipes
Winter is a good reason to slow down and spoil yourself, and really good food is a great way to do that. Celebrate all that is cold, wet and windy this winter with these wonderful warming winter recipes, and you may not want spring to arrive!
Bacon by the Box dispatch delivery weekly to across France and will deliver straight to your door. For more information or to place an order which will be delivered to your doorstep anywhere in France, visit: Bacon by the Box
