When I was little and growing up in Seattle, we hardly ever got snow. I would sit by the window and send out my snowy vibes to the universe. Once in a while, we would get a small drizzle of snow but nothing substantial. Sure it was chilly and rainy, but it rarely snowed how every kid wanted.
Now that I have moved to New England, I get lots of snow every year. I have found that we have a love/hate relationship. I hate the ugly clothes I have to wear to keep warm, but I love the beauty of snow falling in the woods. I hate walking in snowshoes, but I love coming home after a walk to eat a warm hearty meal.
I live in a place where it gets up to 110 degrees Fahrenheit and gets as low as negative 30 degrees. There are a few winter meals that warm me up and melt my insides on those brutally cold days. I hope you can enjoy them as much as I do.
5 Of My Favorite Winter Recipes
Portuguese Chourico and Kale Soup
I love this soup because it takes 30 minutes to make and is deliciously warm on a bitter day. It has bright colors popping in and out of the soup, making it look cheery. I also love the kale in this soup though I know not everyone likes the kale’s bitterness.
The ingredients you will need:
- 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
- 3 medium white waxy potatoes
- 2 medium onions, chopped
- 4 cloves garlic, chopped
- 2 bay leaves, fresh or dried
- 1 pound kale, coarsely chopped
- Coarse salt and pepper
- 1 (15-ounce) can garbanzos
- 1 can diced tomatoes
- 1 pound diced chorizo, casing removed
- 1 quart chicken broth
You can serve this with a slice of bread or plain. When you start cooking this, you must cook in layers. Before adding any liquid, you will want to cook the onions, potatoes, and kale first. You can do everything right in the pot. For full instructions, you can read them here, though there are also amazing videos to watch as well.
Carrot Ginger Soup
Before moving to New England, I never had this. I fell in love with it at a local restaurant that was serving it in a small cup. It was tangy, bright, and spicy. I absolutely love ginger and think it adds the right amount of spiciness to anything. There are also tremendous benefits to eating ginger. One of the most significant advantages is that it can help support your immune system, and I think we could all use that right now.
The ingredients you will need:
- 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
- 1 cup chopped yellow onions
- 3 garlic cloves, smashed
- 2 heaping cups chopped carrots
- 1½ teaspoons grated fresh ginger
- 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
- 3 to 4 cups vegetable broth
- Sea salt and fresh black pepper
- 1 teaspoon maple syrup, or to taste (optional)
- coconut milk for garnish, optional
This is another recipe that you can do all in one pot and in layers. You will want to start with the onions and carrots to heat them up. Then you will add in the broth and coconut milk. This recipe is slightly different because once it is heated and mixed together, you will let it rest a few moments and then blend it to get the proper texture. I have found this to be the best way to get a repeat of the soup I had from my local restaurant. Look at the exact steps here.
Palak Paneer
This Northern Indian Dish is one of my all-time favorite hot meals though I know many people from New England will disagree with me. This a pureed spinach and cheese dish served hot like a soup. Though the consistency is much different than a broth soup, it is thicker and more textured. You can serve it with bread to dip in or over rice.
The ingredients you will need:
- 2 tablespoons olive oil, divided
- 1 onion, diced
- 6 cloves garlic, crushed
- 2 teaspoons ground coriander
- 2 teaspoons ground turmeric
- 2 teaspoons garam masala
- 2 teaspoons red pepper flakes
- 2 teaspoons curry powder
- 2 teaspoons ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup of water
- 2 (10 ounces) packages frozen chopped spinach, thawed and drained
- 3 tomatoes, diced
- 2 tablespoons grated fresh ginger root
- 2 cups cubed paneer
This recipe takes about an hour to make, and that includes all of the prep time. The best part is there is no meat or much to add that has a long cooking time. You will need to add in the onion first to ensure it is cooked thoroughly, and that’s it. On top of the onion, you add all of the spices that make paneer so delicious and from there water and spinach. For the full instructions, read them here.
What Are Your Favorite Winter Meals?
It is the time of year in New England where the days are getting shorter and much colder. It is time to cozy up next to your loved one and eat something hot and hearty while watching the snowfall. These are all soups, but there are many hot meals you can choose from.
