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!!
Snickerdoodles for Monday
Who doesn’t love a big fluffy Snickerdoodle?
Unless it’s a Snickerdoodle that’s “too salty,” like my mom and sister claimed a batch I made last year were. I maintain that they’re both completely crazy as I didn’t get any complaints from anyone else.
Well lucky for them, the batch I made this year was salt-free. No salt, just sugar, cinnamon and lots of fluff!
The best part, apart from how adorable these are and yes, cookies can be adorable, is that the bigger you make them, the fluffier they are.
I used Jessica’s “Fat Fluffy Snickerdoodles” recipe, because with a title like that there’s no need to look for any other recipe.
When it comes to cookies, “fat” is a word you want to hear.
These were soft and cinnamon-sugary, plus they are pretty foolproof. Anyone can roll balls of cookie dough in cinnamon sugar.
Then you can demand that everyone eat cinnamon sugar toast until the leftover mixture is used up.
At least I’m not demanding everyone eat salty Snickerdoodles, right?
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Are you a Snickerdoodle fan?
What did you do this weekend? I know, I know, totally unrelated, but answer anyways.
Things That Are Worth Standing in the Snow For
There are few things in this world worth standing in 23 degree temperatures and snow for.
There are even fewer things that are personally worth standing in 23 degree temperatures and snow for.
Fact: I hate the cold. Loathe entirely. <— can you tell I’m watching How the Grinch Stole Christmas. So standing outside this morning for two hours is kind of out of character.
Did I mention it was 23 degrees and snowing? And did I mention it was 6 AM and dark outside?
Every year, my mom stands in line to get one of the limited copies of the KBCO Studio C CD.
Translation: A local Boulder radio station releases a CD with unplugged songs recorded by various artists in their famous Studio C.
For the past 5 years, I’ve been joining her in this crazy tradition and for the past 4, Joey has been joining me. Clearly, we’re are delusional.
This year, my sister joined us for the first time.
Welcome to the crazy train.
Where we wear 4 layers of clothing, wake up at 4:45 on a Saturday and make
friends with complete strangers who happen to be camped out next to us.
And then we bury ourselves in the snow.
Wait, what?
But we do bury ourselves in blankets.
Joey’s got that one down pat.
But in the end it’s all worth it. And not so much for the CD, although that’s pretty good too.
It’s for the memories you make.
Like the year when the girl in leggings tried to cut us in line. Anyone in leggings can’t have been waiting in line since 6 AM. And Mom wasn’t having any of that nonsense.
Or the year when Joey asked if I bought my gloves at Baby Gap. My mom still laughs at that joke to this day.
Or the year that my alarm never went off and my mom called me from the line wondering if I was on my way. Whoopsies.
And the traditions you create.
We get in line by 6 AM.
Starbucks by 7 AM.
We text my uncle to tell him what kind of weather we’re braving this year.
He replies by telling us it’s 70 degrees and sunny in New Orleans. Gloater.
And I think we created a new tradition this year.
Giant breakfast, get in my mouth!
Did I mention the CD is really good?
The acoustic version of Pumped Up Kicks is awesome.
So while there may be very few things I’m willing to stand in the cold and snow and dark for, the KBCO Studio C CD release is totally worth it.
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Do you have any special holiday traditions?
What are you willing to brave extreme weather for?
Lauren Loves Good Food 