Winter has a way of drawing us back to comforting meals and slower moments around the table.

It’s the season for warm, nourishing dishes that fill the kitchen with rich aromas – the kind of food best enjoyed as the nights grow longer and the air turns chilly.

And at the heart of it all? Nuts.

With their deep, earthy flavour and satisfying crunch, nuts bring warmth and texture to winter cooking. They shine in everything from creamy soups and hearty mains to classic crumbles and wholesome snacks (best served, of course, with a warm cup of tea!).

If you’re ready to embrace the flavours of the season, these winter-inspired recipes – each featuring nuts – are the perfect place to start.

Five recipes to try this winter:

Turmeric pear porridge with macadamias and pistachios

Brighten even the coolest morning with a warm, satisfying porridge. This nourishing dish is packed with plant foods, including crunchy macadamias and pistachios. Ready in just 15 minutes, it’s an easy breakfast that feels like a little ray of sunshine on a cold winter’s morning.

Recipe courtesy of Hort Innovation, and My Market Kitchen: www.horticulture.com.au/growers/my-market-kitchen

Did you know? With 13 different plant foods in every bowl, this porridge gets you nearly halfway towards the gut-healthy target of 30+ plant foods a week!

Chestnut ragout

Fresh chestnuts give this classic ragout a delicious seasonal twist, adding rich texture and subtle sweetness. Hearty, nourishing and utterly delicious, it’s the kind of winter comfort food you’ll want to make on repeat – especially while chestnuts are in season through to mid-July.

Recipe courtesy of Chestnuts Australia: www.chestnutsaustralia.com.au

Tip: For a more flavourful ragout, sauté onions and aromatics until soft and lightly golden before adding the remaining ingredients. This simple step builds a deeper, more savoury base.

Did you know? Chestnuts are the only nuts that contain immunity-boosting vitamin C, with a serve providing around 30% of the recommended dietary intake (RDI).

Creamy broccoli, chicken and wild rice soup

Creamy, comforting and packed with goodness, this broccoli, chicken and wild rice soup is a satisfying meal on chilly days. Cashews add a velvety texture while providing iron and zinc, and smoky roasted almonds bring a delicious crunch and a boost of protein. One bowl is never enough!

Did you know? Studies show that we tend to eat fewer calories later in the day after eating nuts. Nuts help increase feelings of fullness, which is one of the reasons why eating nuts supports a healthy body weight.

Hazelnut date balls

These hazelnut date balls prove that simple ingredients can come together to create something seriously delicious! Naturally sweet and warmly spiced, they’re the perfect make-ahead snack to enjoy throughout the week, with a warming cup of tea.

Did you know? A serve (two balls) costs around $1. That’s about the same as a 30g handful of mixed nuts, making both a healthy and affordable snack option.

Macadamia and apple crumble

This quick and easy six-ingredient macadamia and apple crumble is the ultimate winter dessert. Juicy baked green apples pair with golden macadamias for a rich, crunchy dish. Warm, simple and satisfying, it’s made for cosy nights at home.

Recipe courtesy of Australian Macadamias: www.australian-macadamias.org

Tip: Make a habit of adapting dessert recipes, like crumbles, to always include nuts (think: whole or chopped nuts, or nut meal, flour or paste) for an easy boost of nutrients, taste and texture.