There are 42 nights left of our Winter Night Shelter 25/26 and we would love to finish the run with a feast each day for the guests.

We realise it can feel daunting to come home from work, cook for 20 people, get in the car and deliver everything before 8pm, prohibitively so in fact, and that is more than reasonable!

In an effort to overcome this potential roadblock we’ve created a super easy guide to cooking up this seasons top 5 dinners!

As we now have a freezer at the shelter, things have got even easier, we highly recommend preparing these meals at a time that suits you, freeze them in foil trays and deliver any time across the week.

You can welcome in the warm glow of community action on a Sunday afternoon with your favourite playlist, or hand over your Saturday morning chores to someone else as you make a tangible difference to the people of Kingston who need you the most.

Greg is the night shelter coordinator and you can reach him on: 07862013047 or email winternightshelter@kcah.org.uk, he is your very best contact once you’ve cooked up that delicious gift of love and caring.

Here’s the top 5, with easy recipes and estimated costs, we recommend large foil roasting trays, available at most larger supermarkets.

Instructions

1. Brown the mince (in batches if required)
2. In a large pan add a big glug of oil and sweat the onions until translucent
3. Add the chipotle paste, stock cubes, herbs and spices, stir to coat the onions
4. Add the cooked mince and stir
5. Add the tomatoes and tomato paste
6. Using an empty can add 6 can’s of water to the pot
7. Simmer for 45 minutes to 1 hour until thick and shiny
8. Add the kidney beans
9. Heat gently for 15 minutes
10. Season

Allow the chilli to cool to room temperature, then fill the foil trays, cover and freeze. Don’t forget to bring some long grain rice when you deliver!

Estimated cost: £22.50

Instructions

1. In a large sauce pan pour a big slug of oil
2. Add the onions, carrots and celery and cook gently until the onions are translucent
3. Add the beef mince and stir to break down the meat until browned
4. Add the fennel seeds and the herbs
5. Add the chopped tomatoes and tomato paste
6. Make up 1.5l of beef stock then pour into the pan
7. Simmer for 45 minutes to 1 hour until thick and glossy
8. Season

Allow the bolognese to cool to room temperature, then fill the foil trays, cover and freeze. Don’t forget the spaghetti when you’re delivering!

Estimate Cost: £18

Instructions

1. Melt the butter in a large saucepan
2. Add the flour, bit by bit, until combined
3. Add the milk, bit by bit, stirring until smooth (you can add more at a time as the roux becomes looser)
4. Stir in the grated cheese one handful at a time until fully incorporated
5. Season
6. Simmer very gently while you cook the macaroni for 2 minutes less than the recommendation
7. Combine everything 

Fill the foil trays, cover and freeze.

Estimated cost: £12

Instructions

1. spoon a thin layer of bolognese into the bottom of the tray
2. Drizzle cheese sauce over the bolognese
3. Add 1 layer of lasagne sheets, covering the sauce to the edge
4. Repeat the process 2 more times
5. top with cheese sauce

Allow the trays to cool, cover and freeze.

Estimated Cost: £30

Instructions

1. In a large saucepan add a big glug of oil
2. Add the onions and cook gently until translucent
3. Add the diced chicken and brown
4. Add the spice paste, stir to coat and release the aroma
5. Add the tomatoes and coconut milk
6. Simmer for 25 minutes until the chicken is cooked through and the sauce looks glossy
7. Season

Allow the curry to cool to room temperature, cover and freeze, don’t forget to take a big bag of rice when you deliver!

Estimated Cost: £22.50