Kasey and Karena: Feelgood food on an ice-cold day

Coconut and lime syrup cake. Photo / Doug Sherring

The big chill has Kasey and Karena pondering their favourite ‘warm me up’ dishes.

It is easy to dislike this time of year, with its road closures, flight delays and frosts killing the nasturtium garnish.

As we flew into Gisborne last week, the lady next to us pointed out that it was the first time in 20 years she had seen snow on the hills there. It is harder to get out of bed and out of the house but it isn't all bad.

It has definitely been cold, and driving to work in the morning we see people with their jugs of water defrosting their windscreens, but the air seems cleaner and there is beauty in the white exhalations of people walking the streets. The outlines of the trees against the sky almost seem sharper and the sunsets are truly breathtaking. Not to mention it is a great excuse to treat yourself to a new winter coat.

There are so many things to appreciate as the weather gets colder but we know our favourite thing about winter is the comfort we feel from warming meals we make after a long day. There really is nothing like warming the stomach and the soul with something home-made, especially when it is so cold out.

Our Mum had a special pot she would use only when she made her famous hot chocolate. In winter after school we would get home, change out of our uniforms and into some flannelette pyjamas and cross our fingers that Mum felt sorry enough for us to make us this decadent elixir. There is a certain romance to making hot drinks on the stove, mixing and watching the liquid start to become hot before pouring it into drinking mugs.

We love making chicken and chorizo soup with lentils after we have roast chicken on Sundays.

If you have time you can use the carcass to make your own stock (but you can just buy chicken stock if you are too busy). Use the leftover meat and tear it to add to the soup. We have listed what vegetables we like to add to our soup, but feel free to add in any of your favourite winter veges.

Our secret ingredient is chorizo. We like to buy the best quality chorizo we can find. You only need a bit to add a delicious smoky heat to the soup.

These lime and coconut puddings are yum. Using citrus when it is in season is one of the best things about winter. Our Dad loves these puddings because they are so comforting and scrumptious but still light, which can be a little dangerous because you feel like you could have more than one.

You can serve them with whipped cream or even coconut cream, if you prefer.

Kasey's favourite winter memory: There was a massive hail storm in the Bay of Plenty a couple of years ago. There was ice everywhere and everyone in Maketu was out. The streets were covered in hail. My sisters and I took turns using our boogie boards to skim along Karena's lawn then down the hill. Then we went inside and Mum had made us hot chocolate. Best day ever.

Karena's favourite winter memory: One cold, early morning my Dad and I decided to go on a jetski ride up Kaituna River. We put on layers of thermals and warm clothing and these weird waterproof boots and went on a two-hour adventure up the river. It was freezing but the water was so calm and the air felt fresh and invigorating in my lungs.

Try Kasey and Karena's delicious recipes at bite.co.nz below

• Chicken and Chorizo Soup with Lentils
• Lemon and Lime Syrup Cakes
• The Ultimate Hot Chocolate