January's foods in season and what to cook with them
What's nice and fresh at the beginning of the year? Find out with this month's guide.
With Christmas now consigned to the history books, January ushers in a chance to get inspired and try new recipes. Whether you’re in search of healthy dishes or comfort-food classics, there's plenty of scope to include these ingredients, which are at their seasonal best, in your cooking.
Vegetables
Hardy winter root veg is at its best in January. Picks of the bunch are beetroot, Brussels sprouts (if you aren’t thoroughly sick of the sight of them post-Christmas), cabbage, carrots, cauliflower, chard, celeriac, Jerusalem artichokes, kale, leeks, parsnips, swede, sweet potatoes and turnips.
Try...
French-style galettes with chard and gruyère
Tuscan kale and white bean cannelloni
Pan-seared cod with leek and potato sauce
Beetroot, thyme and garlic dip
Sweetcorn and sweet potato chowder with crispy tortillas
Kirsty Hale/Riverford
Meat
It’s all about game, with goose, guinea fowl, rabbit and venison all good choices. If you're eschewing #veganuary, it's also a good time for hearty beef and pork dishes.
Try...
Roast loin of rabbit with a rabbit and chorizo ragout
Spiced pork chops with ginger and mango relish
Udon noodles with sweet and savoury beef
Venison shanks with baby beets and chestnuts
Venison: the Game Larder/Steve Lee
Seafood
Shellfish dominates the January agenda, specifically clams, mussels, oysters and scallops. On the fishy side of things, look out for mackerel, dover sole, bass, whiting and turbot.
Try...
Nasi goreng with smoked mackerel
Garlicky prawn, clam and chorizo pot
Grapefruit and sea bass ceviche tacos
Jerusalem artichoke and vanilla soup with scallops
Mussels in a beer and herb sauce
Joe Simmonds/The Beach Hotel, Bude
Fruit
Boost your Vitamin C during the long, dark days with Seville oranges, grapefruits, Royal Gala apples, Comice and Conference pears and pomegranates. More locally, the first of the year's forced rhubarb is appearing.
Try...
Slow roast shoulder of pork with grapefruit and scotch bonnet chilli
Sticky orange and vanilla upside-down cake
Donna Hay, Seasons
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