As the winter sets in, we all crave something to snack on or to indulge in those delicious comfort meals. These are heart-warming dishes that make you fall in love with food all over again!

So, instead of jumping onto Google for comfort food recipes and spending hours in the kitchen hoping that the dish you’re preparing will turn out the way it’s displayed in the article’s image, opt for some of these must-try meals in Sandton Central. Don’t worry, we still have a lovely recipe to try at home for when it’s just too cold to go outside.

The Best Winter Meals in Sandton Central

Comfy Snacks

• Seattle Coffee at Alice Lane: Coffee and Croissants – a match made in heaven during any winter season!
• Bagel Zone in Benmore Centre: Ask for the traditional egg mayo, pickles, tomato & onion sandwich bagel.
• Sausage Saloon in Benmore Centre: Grab a quick snack on the go. Have you tried their Chicken Corndog yet?

Comfy Breakfasts

• Lexi’s Health Eatery at 24Central: Farmer’s Breakfast Bowl – Tofu scramble or a poached egg, grilled mushrooms, roasted potatoes, grilled cherry tomatoes and fresh avocado with a vegan hollandaise & sumac.
• eDikeni at Alice Lane: Braised Ox Liver and Lamb Kidneys – Served with 2x poached eggs, avocado, and grilled tomato on toast.
• News Café in Sandton: Bacon & Piquant Peppers Benedict – Two poached eggs with hollandaise sauce on an English muffin. Grilled tomato on the side and choice between streaky or back bacon.

Comfy Lunches

• Luka at 24Central: Mussel & Clam Soup “Alla Felicetta” – Steamed in white wine, garlic & parsley, then finished in tomato with a dash of cream & Parmigiano.
• Monarch at 24Central: Pan-Seared Chicken Livers Tapas – In a creamy white wine, garlic, Dijon sauce with a hint of sage & balsamic or creamy peri-peri served with toasted Ciabatta.
• Krunch at Alice Lane: Sweet Potato Cottage Pie – Sweet potato gives an interesting flavour twist to this classic family favourite. Yum!
• Col’Cacchio in Benmore Centre: Bunny Chow Calzone – folded pizza with mozzarella, seasoned chicken, bunny chow sauce, coriander (choice of tomato chilli salsa or Mrs Balls chutney).

Comfy Dinners

• Nikos at Alice Lane: Moussaka – Layered brinjals, beef mince, potatoes, and béchamel sauce.
• Saints – Wood-Fired Chicken with creamy peri-peri, cherry tomato, red pepper coriander, and penne. Flame, spice and all things nice…
• Wok n Roll in The Marc: Chicken Green Thai Curry with rice or noodles.

Our Suggested Winter Recipe for When It’s Too Cold To Go Outside: Spicy Bean & Boerie Pap Pies

Foodies SA has served up a classic South African dish with ingredients most of us will most likely already have in our pantry or freezer. While the braai is warming up, you can make the maize meal crust with chicken stock, maize meal, butter, and salt. You’ll need baked beans, hot and spicy chakalaka, boerewors, an egg, parsley, and seasoning for the filling. The combination of the chakalaka with a hot pie straight from the oven is a sure-fire way to keep you warm even on the chilliest of nights.

Servings: 4 – 6

Ingredients:

For the maize meal crust:

• 2 ½ cups vegetable/chicken stock
• 1 cup White Star Quick Maize Meal
• 1 tbsp butter
• Salt, to taste

For the Pot Pies:

• 1 can of baked beans
• 1 can of hot & spicy chakalaka
• 600 g boerewors
• Salt & pepper, to taste
• 1 Egg, beaten
• Fresh parsley

Recipe:

For the maize meal crust:

1. Bring 1 ½ cups stock to a boil in a medium pot.
2. Mix the remaining 1 cup of stock with 1 cup of White Star Quick Maize Meal to form a paste. Gradually add the maize meal paste while stirring, using a whisk. Cover with a lid.
3. Bring to a boil and cook on medium heat for 4 to 5 minutes.
4. Remove from the heat and add the butter, salt & pepper.

For the spicy bean and boerie pot pies:

1. Preheat the oven to 180 and grease 4 – 6 mini ramekins.
2. Add the boerewors to a hot pan and fry on both sides for 4 minutes until cooked. Allow cooling slightly before slicing into bite-sized pieces. In a large bowl, combine the baked beans with the spicy chakalaka. Stir the boerewors through the bean mixture gently. Season to taste.
3. Split this mixture into the ramekins and top with the pap mixture. Brush the tops with an egg wash
4. Bake for 20 to 25 minutes until a golden and crispy crust has formed.
5. Top with some fresh parsley, serve while still warm and ENJOY!!

Keep warm, Sandton!