Winter Comfort Food Ideas for Anxious Mood Under 30 Minutes

You need

• 1/2 cup rice
• 4 cups stock or water
• thumb of ginger, sliced
• soy sauce
• spring onion
• optional: egg

Method

1. Simmer rice, stock and ginger ~25–30 min until soft and soupy, stirring now and then.
2. Swirl in a beaten egg at the end if you like.
3. Season with soy.
4. Top with spring onion.

You need

• 1 cup red lentils
• 1 onion
• 2 garlic cloves
• thumb ginger
• 1 tsp cumin
• 1 tsp turmeric
• 1 can tomatoes or coconut milk
• rice to serve

Method

1. Soften onion, garlic and ginger; add spices for 30 sec.
2. Add lentils, tomatoes and ~2 cups water.
3. Simmer ~25 min until soft and thick, stirring now and then.
4. Season and serve over rice.

You need

• 1 cup milk (any)
• 2 tsp cocoa
• 1–2 tsp sugar
• small piece dark chocolate
• pinch salt

Method

1. Warm the milk gently.
2. Whisk in cocoa, sugar and a pinch of salt.
3. Melt in a little chopped chocolate for body.
4. Pour and hold the warm mug.

You need

• whatever's around: cheese, crackers, fruit, nuts
• hummus or peanut butter
• something crunchy

Method

1. Pick one creamy, one crunchy, one sweet thing.
2. Arrange on a plate so it feels intentional.
3. Add a dip.
4. No cooking required.

You need

• 1 tortilla
• grated cheese
• optional: beans, leftover veg, salsa

Method

1. Fill half the tortilla with cheese and any extras, fold over.
2. Dry-fry on medium until golden and melting, ~2 min a side.
3. Cut into wedges.
4. Dip in salsa or yogurt.

You need

• 2 tbsp popcorn kernels
• 1 tbsp oil
• salt
• optional: butter, cinnamon-sugar

Method

1. Heat oil and 2–3 kernels in a lidded pan until they pop.
2. Add the rest, cover, shake until popping slows.
3. Tip out fast so it doesn't burn.
4. Season while hot.