My Favorite Winter Meals

We’re in the thick of it, my friends.

Yesterday it was a high of 10 degrees here.

TEN.

And by the time I left work, it was one degree.

ONE.  Is that serious?

As if I wasn’t already drinking enough cups of tea a day, yesterday’s temperatures had my tea consumption doubled.  And there’s nothing like having to wear multiple layers and bring two pairs of shoes just for a 3 minute walk to the gym. 

  

Clearly, I was the only one brave enough to attempt such an adventure.

With winter in full force around these parts, I’ve resorted to making soups, stews, chili, and any other hearty comfort foods that those three categories don’t cover, like it’s my job.

Here are just a few of my favorite things winter dishes.

Enchiladas

Nothing says comfort like a giant casserole dish of tortilla, beans, cheese and sauce.  And in case your thinking that that also sounds like a meal that would be hard on your waistline, think again.  I made Cooking Light’s Black Bean and Cheese Enchiladas with Ranchero Sauce last week and they were not only delicious and easy, but healthy. 

Chili

Whether of the classic or white variation, chili is filling, warming and a great way to pack in those veggies and protein. 

Hey, look family, I’m eating protein! <—-They don’t really understand how I make it through the day without eating meat at least once.

I’m currently obsessed with this recipe for Cranberry Bean Chili with Winter Squash and Swiss Chard.

And this recipe for Creamy White Chicken Chili, except that I nix the chicken.

Pot Pie

This recipe is the reason I’m putting more ramekins on my Christmas list.  Take note, Joey.

And let’s not forget our good friend the giant bowl of…

Pasta

Carbs be damned, I need me a big bowl of noodles when it’s cold outside.

On a scale of one to ten, Joey and I’s obsession with this pasta is about a 50.  Okay, maybe that’s just me.

Soup!

I think you’d be hard pressed to find someone who doesn’t enjoy a good old butternut or pumpkin soup.  It’s quite possibly the easiest soup to make.   Ever.

And the taste can’t be compared.

Roasted Butternut Squash Soup, anyone?

 

This Kale and Roasted Vegetable Soup is hands down one of my favorites.  It’s simple and the roasted veggies give it so much flavor!

We just made it for the first time this winter season and I was reminded why I love it so much.  Delicious.

Also from Daily Garnish, this Quinoa and Bean Corn Chowder is phenomenal.  I can’t wait to add this to my “to make” list for next week!

I’m a classic Minestrone lover through and through.  The fact that I never know if you pronounce the “e” at the end is besides the point. 

My own recipe for Minestrone soup is one of my favorites.  That, and I’m partial to my own recipes.

Shrimp and Dumplings

I always feel like I’m committing some sort of sin when I take a chicken recipe and replace it with shrimp or something vegetarian, but I’m glad I did so with this recipe for Chicken Paprika and Homemade Dumplings.

Sorry, no picture, but I made this for the first time last week and it was so good.

We devoured the entire batch, which is supposed to serve 4 and I kind of wanted to drink a glass of the sauce.  Cannot wait to make it over and over and over.  Plus there’s just something so comforting about hot homemade dumplings, isn’t there?

And as if I don’t already have enough favorite cold weather foods, I’ve got stew, cornbread and more soup on the menu for the rest of this week.

But you know what?  It’s one degree outside and I just don’t care.

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What’s your favorite cold weather meal?  By all means, link away!!