As the days turn colder and the nights get longer, research by Knorr – the leading producer of stock – has revealed that traditional methods of cooking are more popular than ever. In fact, 50% of the nation is now cooking more one pot dishes now than they did five years ago and Spaghetti Bolognese has been voted as the nation’s favourite comfort food dish.
Of course, what the nation chooses to cook at home is not necessarily what it chooses when it dines out, but it’s worth considering what implications the research has for your menu.
The nation’s favourite
The study shows that almost half the nation (47%) craves comforting food when the weather gets cold and wetter, with 60% of Brits cooking comfort food at least once a week during the winter months. And, with the winter ahead looking grim, the nation has voted Spaghetti Bolognese (60%), Stew (58%) and Curry (53%) as their favourite comfort food dishes.
Also, despite being seen as a dish enjoyed mostly by men, the research has shown that more women (58%) eat pie than men (48%)!
The Nation’s Top Ten One-Pot Dishes
| 1 | Spaghetti Bolognese | 60% |
| 2 | Stew/Casserole | 58% |
| 3 | Curry | 53% |
| 4 | Shepherds/Cottage Pie | 53% |
| 5 | Soup | 51% |
| 6 | Chilli | 47% |
| 7 | Lasagne | 46% |
| 8 | Pie | 35% |
| 9 | Hot Pot | 32% |
| 10 | Risotto | 26% |
Saving the Nation
The increasing popularity of this traditional style of cooking has been pinned on a number of factors – with the economic recession playing a role in its noticeable come-back. In fact, money was stated as the number one reason people have adopted this method of cooking (60%), backed up by the figure that a third of Brits (30%) say they have returned to a ‘back-to-basics’ style of cooking since the recession hit.
It would also appear we’re becoming a more thrifty nation with 59% saying they’re more mindful of wasting food now than five years ago, and almost a quarter of Brits (23%) saying they never throw away food.
Come Dine With Me
Despite palates becoming more sophisticated and our culinary horizons being broadened, one pot dishes are now widely accepted as being “fashionable”, with 58% saying they would serve one pot favourites to guests at a dinner party.
Acclaimed chef, Marco Pierre White commented:
“We all start to crave hearty, warming food around the time when the clocks go back – as sales of Knorr have shown, this is the time of year when people start making comfort food. I’ve always loved one pot dishes – they’re warming, cost-effective, easy and always delicious – especially when using high quality stock. It’s no wonder the nation has started to embrace this simple but effective method of cooking!”