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MasterChef winner shares delicious recipes scientifically proven to keep you warm in winter

Thomas Frake
Thomas was this year’s MasterChef champion (Image supplied)

THE winner of Masterchef 2020 has released a series of warming recipes scientifically designed to keep you toasty this winter.

Thomas Frake has partnered with Wren kitchens to produce the three meals featuring foods that have been shown to speed up the metabolism and keep you warm.

Have a go yourself with the recipes below:

Bonfire Baked Beans

Serves: Two

Beans
These Bonfire Baked Beans are a healthy, warming snack. (Image supplied)

Time: 45 mins

Ingredients

  • 400g (240g drained) tinned cannellini beans
  • 200g passata
  • 1 shallot
  • 1 clove of garlic
  • 2 rashers of smoked streaky bacon
  • ½ tsp smoked paprika
  • ½ tsp cumin
  • ½ tsp ancho chilli flakes
  • 1 tbsp soft brown sugar
  • 1 tbsp white wine vinegar
  • 1 tsp black treacle
  • ½ tsp salt
  • ½ tsp black pepper
  • 1 tbsp rapeseed oil

Packed full of smoky, sweet and spicy flavours, this bonfire baked beans recipe elevates the traditionally tinned teatime staple into something delicious and heart-warming. The brown sugar and black treacle add a sweet and sticky depth of flavour, whilst the smoked paprika and ancho chilli flakes add a fiery and smoky kick

As well as being flavourful, the chilli flakes in this recipe increases the thermic effect of food (TEF), which increases your metabolic rate and makes you feel physically warmer.

Sticky banoffee pudding with caramelised walnuts

Serves: Six

sticky toffee pudding
A sweet treat to brighten up dark winter nights. (Image supplied)

Time: 50 mins

Ingredients

  • 100g ripe bananas
  • 100g pitted dates
  • 200ml boiling water
  • 200g self-raising flour
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • 1 tsp cinnamon
  • 50g (plus extra for greasing) butter
  • 2 eggs
  • 150g dark muscovado sugar
  • 2 tsp black treacle
  • 1 tsp bicarbonate of soda
  • ½ tsp salt
  • 150ml double cream
  • 150g butter (softened)
  • 150g dark muscovado sugar

 

  • 60g walnut pieces
  • 60g caster sugar
  • 2 tbsp water
  • Pinch of salt

Sweet and sticky, but light and fluffy, these sticky banoffee puddings warm the soul with steaming hot sponges, a decadent toffee sauce, and crunchy caramelised walnuts. Nuts, like chilli flakes, increase TEF, speeding up your metabolism and consequently warming you up.

Ripe bananas add an extra caramel sweetness, whilst black treacle and cinnamon add warming winter spices. Serve steaming hot with a big scoop of vanilla ice cream for an indulgent winter dessert.

Calf’s liver, bacon and onions

Serves: Two

Calf liver
Spicy foods boost your metabolism, helping you stay warm. (Image supplied)

Time: 45 mins

Ingredients

  • 4 slices of calf liver
  • 3 tbsp flour
  • ½ tsp mild curry power
  • Pinch of salt
  • Pinch of pepper
  • 75g butter
  • 2 tbsp rapeseed oil
  • 4 rashers of smoked bacon
  • 1 white onion
  • 50ml sherry or port
  • 300ml beef stock
  • 1 tsp tomato ketchup
  • 6 fresh sage leaves
  • 2 large baking potatoes
  • 50ml double cream
  • 50g butter
  • Pinch of salt
  • 2 handfuls of spinach
  • 25g butter

Hearty, comforting and delicious, this take on liver, bacon and onions is like a warm winter hug in a bowl.

Caramelised liver and smoky crisp bacon pair perfectly with rich creamy potatoes and a sweet onion gravy.

Like beans, liver is high in iron, which can work to increase your red blood cell count and warm you up. Serve piled high in a bowl with lashings of gravy for a superb seasonal supper.

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