With the holidays behind us, and still plenty of winter ahead, our thoughts turn to comfort and healing foods in winter recipes. A terrific cookbook to help get you through the winter doldrums while helping you to eat such nutritious meals is:
The Winter Table, Fireside Feasts for Family and Friends
By Lisa Lemke, The Winter Table is the perfect book for ideas on what to prepare when your thoughts go to preparing an aromatic, bubbling stew or comforting soup. Lemke, a freelance food consultant and television chef lives in a small town on the west coast of Sweden. Her soul-satisfying dishes range from a savory rye risotto with oyster mushrooms browned in butter, to mouthwatering roasts and casseroles, to blazingly hot chili, and even good old mac ‘n’ cheese. To die for desserts include an apple toffee, almond crumble and sublime tiramisu.
Here are three of our favorites:
Cod, Shrimp, and Fennel Casserole
Mushroom Hash with Brussels Sprouts and Apples
Reprinted with permission from The Winter Table © 2017 Lisa Lemke. Published by Sterling Epicure. Photography by Magnus Carlsson.
Cod, Shrimp and Fennel Casserole
Makes 4 servings
- 1 large yellow onion
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 1 ¾ pounds boiled and peeled potatoes
- 1 small bulb of fennel
- 14 ounces cod fillet
- 4 ounces peeled shrimp
- ½ cup finely chopped dill, packed
- Zest of 1 lemon (preferably organic)
- 4 eggs
- 1 ¼ cups heavy cream
- ¼ cup unoaked, dry white wine
- Salt and pepper
Preheat the oven to 450°F. Peel and slice the onion. Add the butter to a skillet and sauté the onion until it’s soft. Cut the potatoes into thick slices. Clean and thinly slice the fennel. Cut the cod into 2 ¾- inch pieces. Layer the potatoes, onions, fennel, fish, shrimp, dill and lemon zest in a greased casserole.
In a bowl, stir together the eggs, cream, and wine. Season the mixture with salt and pepper and pour it into the casserole. Give the casserole a gentle shake to help distribute the liquid evenly. Bake on the middle rack of the oven for about 40 minutes or until it turns golden brown.
