Healthy Comfort Food Ideas for Winter in Malta

How to Enjoy Comfort Food All Winter Without Compromising Your Diet

When winter’s chill sets in and Malta’s vibrant summer days are replaced by cooler evenings, it’s natural to crave hearty, comforting food. But indulging in rich dishes doesn’t have to mean abandoning your commitment to healthy eating. With a few mindful tweaks, you can relish all the satisfaction of comfort food while staying on track with your health goals.

Whether you’re a busy professional, a fitness enthusiast, or simply someone who loves good food, these recipes prove that indulgence doesn’t have to come at the cost of your wellbeing. From slow-cooked classics to lighter alternatives, you’ll discover dishes that bring warmth and flavor without excessive calories. Perfect for cozy nights in, these meals can be enjoyed alone or shared with loved ones, offering nourishment for both body and soul.

Winter Comfort Food, Reinvented

Traditional comfort food often relies heavily on butter, cream, and cheese to create that irresistible richness. However, these recipes show how strategic ingredient swaps and clever cooking techniques can deliver the same indulgence without piling on the calories. For example, a spiced beef pot roast or a squash and chickpea tagine can be just as hearty and flavorful while being light on fats. Even Malta’s beloved Sunday roast can be transformed into a midweek treat with a wholesome twist.

For those craving pasta, you’ll love the healthier take on puttanesca – a dish packed with bold flavors and Mediterranean-inspired ingredients, minus the guilt. And if you’re in the mood for something lighter but equally comforting, salmon with smashed potatoes and a zesty green sauce offers the perfect balance.

Let’s dive into these recipes and explore how you can enjoy delicious comfort food while staying on track with your health and fitness goals.

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Squash and Chickpea Tagine

Serves: 4 | Time: 40 minutes

This fragrant, spiced dish brings the warmth of North Africa to your kitchen. Perfect for a winter evening in Malta, the tagine is packed with nutrient-rich vegetables and hearty chickpeas, making it a satisfying vegan option.

Ingredients:

• 2 medium onions, halved and sliced
• 500ml boiling vegetable stock
• 400g can chopped tomatoes
• 1 tsp ground ginger
• 1 cinnamon stick
• 500g prepared butternut squash, cut into bite-size chunks
• 2 large carrots, cut into chunks
• 2 large waxy potatoes, cut into bite-size chunks
• 2 x 400g cans chickpeas, drained and rinsed

For the spice paste:

• 2 garlic cloves, sliced
• 2 tsp ground cumin
• 2 tsp ground coriander
• 1 tsp paprika
• 1 tsp chilli powder
• ½ tsp ground turmeric
• Grated zest and juice of 1 unwaxed lemon
• A handful of fresh coriander leaves
• ½ small pack fresh mint

Method:

1. In a large non-stick saucepan, cook the onions with 4 tablespoons of stock over medium-low heat for 10 minutes, or until softened.
2. Blend the spice paste ingredients into a smooth mixture using a food processor (or finely chop and mix by hand).
3. Add the remaining stock, chopped tomatoes, ginger, cinnamon stick, and lemon zest to the pan. Stir in the squash, carrots, and potatoes, then simmer for 20 minutes until tender.
4. Discard the cinnamon stick, stir in the chickpeas, and simmer for another 3 minutes. Add the spice paste, adjust the seasoning, and garnish with chopped mint.

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Spiced Beef Pot Roast

Serves: 4 | Time: 3½ hours

This slow-cooked classic fills your kitchen with mouthwatering aromas while keeping the dish lean and nutritious. Ideal for a leisurely Sunday meal, it pairs well with Malta’s local red wines.

Ingredients:

• 750g lean casserole steak, fat removed
• 2 medium red onions, sliced
• 6 garlic cloves, crushed
• 4 tbsp tomato purée
• 1 tsp paprika
• 1 tsp dried chilli flakes
• 2 tsp dried rosemary
• 250g passata
• 300ml boiling beef stock
• 4 bay leaves
• Zest of ½ small orange
• Seasonal vegetables (carrots, fennel, runner beans, courgettes, tomatoes)
• Fresh parsley, chopped

Method:

1. Preheat your oven to 150°C. Brown the beef in a casserole pan sprayed with low-calorie cooking spray, then set aside.
2. Cook the onions and garlic with water until soft. Stir in tomato purée, herbs, passata, stock, and zest. Add the beef and bake for 2 hours.
3. Add the vegetables and cook for another hour. Discard bay leaves, adjust seasoning, and garnish with parsley.

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Salmon with Smashed Potatoes

Serves: 4 | Time: 45 minutes

This lighter take on comfort food combines protein-rich salmon with nutrient-packed vegetables, perfect for those seeking a healthy yet indulgent meal.

Ingredients:

• 500g baby new potatoes
• 2 skinless salmon fillets
• 200g cherry tomatoes, halved
• 200g fine green beans
• For the green sauce: watercress, baby spinach, fat-free crème fraîche, lemon zest, and juice

Method:

1. Roast seasoned potatoes for 20-25 minutes at 220°C. Lightly smash them, then add salmon, tomatoes, and beans to the tray. Roast for another 15 minutes.
2. Blitz sauce ingredients into a smooth mixture, season, and drizzle over the dish before serving.

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One-Tray Sunday Roast

Serves: 4 | Time: 1 hour 10 minutes

Reimagine Malta’s classic Sunday roast with this streamlined, healthier version that’s perfect for busy weeknights.

Ingredients:

• Skinless chicken thighs (or breasts)
• Seasonal vegetables (potatoes, carrots, swede, Brussels sprouts, onions)
• Slimming World pork sausages
• Back bacon, chopped
• Dried chicken gravy granules

Method:

1. Roast chicken and vegetables in a large tray for 45 minutes at 220°C. Add sausages and bacon towards the end.
2. Prepare gravy with granules and stock. Serve with fresh thyme and divide portions between plates.

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Pasta Puttanesca

Serves: 4 | Time: 20 minutes

All the punch of this Italian classic, minus the guilt – perfect for pasta lovers in Malta who want flavor without overindulgence.

Ingredients:

• 400g dried spaghetti
• Garlic, rosemary, anchovies, red chilli, cherry tomatoes, black olives, capers, oregano
• Vegetable stock

Method:

1. Cook spaghetti in a large pan with stock, tomatoes, and seasonings. Stir regularly to separate strands.
2. Add fresh cherry tomatoes, olives, and capers. Adjust consistency with water if needed and serve hot.

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Winter doesn’t have to mean sacrificing your health goals or your love for comforting food. By exploring these wholesome recipes, you’ll enjoy delicious meals that align with your healthy lifestyle while embracing Malta’s cozy winter vibe.