Head to your local market for the freshest winter produce

Christmas time is by tradition a time we celebrate with seasonal foods; turkey and goose, cranberry sauce, Brussels sprouts and roasted chestnuts – when it comes to seasonal eating December has a lot going for it. January’s food however, we are not so au fait with. Many of us might struggle to name a single food associated with this more subdued month.

After the dietary indulgences of Christmas we often repent for our chocolate laden sins by abstaining from the finer foods of the New Year, replacing quality seasonal produce with weight watchers meals or the latest fad diet plan. This need not be the case. The month of January offers up lots of healthy and delicious seasonal food options, whether you’re looking to shed a few pounds or you’re happy to indulge in all the season has to offer, there is something for everyone on the menu of the month!

The best way to feel healthy and happy in the New Year is to eat well from the foods that nature offers for this time of year. Not only is eating seasonal food a celebration of nature’s goodness, it also means that the food has recently been harvested and so it is fresher and in turn tastier. Following on from December’s festive flavours there are lots of rich fruits and vegetables are at their peak in January, nuts, herbs and fungi are plentiful, and Elmer Fudd is trigger happy as meat-wise it is rabbit and duck season (Daffy and Bugs beware!). Here’s what to look out for in your local supermarket, or better still farmers market, this January.

Vegetables: carrots, leeks, beetroot, onions, potatoes, rhubarb, turnip, parsnip, kale, spinach, swede and radishes.

Fruits: apples, oranges, pomegranate, pears, lemons, passion fruit, kiwi, clementines and pineapples.

Meat: chicken, duck, rabbit, beef, pork, guinea fowl and venison.

Seafood: cod, scallops, mussels, plaice, sea bream, cockles and crab.

Nuts, Herbs and Fungi: walnuts, almonds, Brazil nuts; coriander, chives, parsley; mushrooms and black truffles.

Delicious and diet-friendly!

Whilst some of these foods are more exotic in their origin the great thing is many of these can be sourced locally throughout Europe. Local produce goes hand in hand with seasonal eating. As less transport is required it is the greener, earth friendlier option, but also it means it’s cheaper, boosting the local economy as well as your bank balance! Here is one of my favourite recipes for January, laden with readily available seasonal produce.

Carrot and Orange Soup

Ingredients (for 4 to 6 servings)

Instructions

● Peel carrots, slice and boil in water till softened.
● Squeeze oranges and cut onion.
● When the carrots are soft, drain, then mix in the onion, orange juice, stock and cream.
● Blend to desired texture.
● Heat and add salt, pepper, coriander to taste.
● Decorate with a swirl of cream and a coriander leaf right before serving if desired.

Tip: Soup is also a good lunch option in January if you are trying to lose weight. When we eat food with a drink  the liquid is absorbed into our system faster than the food leaving room in our stomachs for more, therefore we get hungry again faster. With soup food and liquid is blended together so the liquid component is not absorbed and we feel full for longer.

This recipe is great for any time of year but I find it really makes sense for January. It uses four of the month’s finest ingredients (carrots, oranges, coriander and onion) which, when combined together, transform and it becomes evident why nature presents these foods for this season. This recipe is perfect for warming you up on a cold January day! It’s comforting, rich but healthy, and so easy to make.

January eating need not be dull or bland as it is a month full of fabulous, flavourful foods. There’s so much you can do with the seasonal ingredients at hand. So treat your taste buds, forget the fads, and follow Mother Nature’s diet plan instead this New Year!