5 Foods That Will Keep You Happy This Winter
Come the chilly season, the kitchen can be about the most inviting place in the house: Warm smells, hearty foods and all that heat from the oven make a snow day a fun (and delicious) one.
Of course, there are cold-weather staples -- those foods that make it worth a trudge through the snow just for the chance to come back in and have a snack. Here, five foods you'll love to eat all winter long, with versions for the adventurous, the health nut and the "If it's good I'll eat it" type.
First, to accompany your winter-morning coffee …
5. Banana Bread
There's nothing quite like a fresh-baked quick bread on a chilly day, and banana bread has the added bonus of being arguably healthy. (What? There's potassium!)
Try this:
- Cooking Light: Peanut Butter Banana Bread (16 ingredients)
- Family Fun: Chocolate Chip Banana Bread (11 ingredients)
- Martha Stewart: Banana Bread (10 ingredients)
Up next: Squash bisque for a delectable dinner …
4. Butternut Squash Bisque
Smooth, creamy and the sunniest hue, butternut-squash bisque is a winter favorite. This hearty vegetarian dish makes a great lunch; pair it with a salad for a delicious, light dinner.
Try this:
- Cooking With Elise: Roasted Butternut Squash and Crab Bisque (10 ingredients)
- Eating Well: Curried Butternut Squash Bisque (11 ingredients)
- Oprah: Butternut Squash Bisque (8 ingredients)
Up next: Chicken stew …
3. Chicken Stew
Whether you slow-cook or just throw a pot on the stove, a good stew has the advantage of being an entire meal in one bowl -- the easy clean-up gets you back in front of the fire in record time. Plus, once the chopping's done, cooking it up is a snap.
Try this:
- Food and Wine: Thai Chicken Stew (14 ingredients)
- Rachael Ray: Sicilian Chicken Stew (16 ingredients)
- Taste of Home: Simple Chicken Stew (slow cooker, 9 ingredients)
Up next: Beef chili …
Chili, a cold-weather staple, lends itself to lots of different tastes. (You can even substitute ground turkey, if you prefer.) You don't need to go super-spicy to pull out some body-warming flavor -- but if spicy is your thing, we've got you covered.
Try this:
- Prevention: Kidney Bean and Beef Chili (12 ingredients)
- Whole Foods Market: Spicy Beef Chili (16 ingredients)
And finally, dessert …
No matter the season, no meal is truly complete without something sweet; and winter dinners call loudly for a slice of warm, fruity dessert. Why not try a tart? It's kind of like a pie, but the crust is a bit more cookielike (plus, it sounds fancier). The pear, fully in-season in winter time, makes a fantastic cold-weather treat.
Try this:
- Epicurious.com: Ginger Butterscotch Pear Tart (16 ingredients)
- Food Network: Rustic Pear Tart (12 ingredients)
- Cleveland Clinic Recipe: Pear Tart with Chocolate Shavings (10 ingredients)
The best thing about these happy winter dishes? Each one keeps well, so leftovers can be abundant -- go ahead, make enough for all of February. You'll be glad not to have to run to grocery store when you're snowed in.
For more winter-time recipes and cooking tips, look over the links on the next page.