Warm Up Your Winter With These Nutritious Dishes
The last thing anyone wants to do after a long day is to spend hours in the kitchen. This month, we’ve put together a list of nutritious warming winter meal ideas to kick-start your new year.
Squash
Squash doesn’t just pair well with marshmallow and cinnamon for those traditional holiday sides. There is so much you can do with this nutritious vegetable – no matter what variety you select! Try steaming, roasting, sautéing, or stuffing squash with your favorite ingredients. Check your local grocer for a variety of squash, which are typically in season during winter months.
Stew + Soup
Using a crockpot is a great way to reduce time spent cooking. Try adding vegetable stock with chopped veggies, such as mushrooms, sweet potatoes, carrots, parsnips, spices and beans. Let it simmer on low while you’re away. You’ll come home to a dinner ready to serve.
Potatoes
Potatoes get a bad rap, but they are loaded with vitamins and minerals. Baby, purple, red skin, Japanese, yams, sweet – there are so many to try! Instead of loading them with cheese and butter, switch it up for a healthier alternative. From baked potato boats topped with refried beans, guacamole and salsa, to a healthy mash with fresh dill, caramelized onion, and garlic – they are a versatile and inexpensive food to warm up your winter mealtime.
If you’re feeling adventurous, take a glass baking pan and layer the bottom with mashed sweet potatoes. Then, top the potatoes with caramelized onions, garlic, fresh herbs, and cheese. Top everything with drop biscuits and bake in the oven until golden brown.
Beyond just noodles and pasta sauce, there are an infinite number of ways to make your pasta delicious. Try switching up the red sauce for aligio e olio. Sautee mushroom, garlic and chili pepper flakes in extra virgin olive oil. Top cooked whole-wheat or gluten-free noodles (try lentil or chickpea for extra protein!) with the sauce and enjoy with fresh basil or sage. Bellissima!