As the weather cools, you may yearn for some cozy meals. Luckily, there are plenty of ways to make your winter cozier than ever before. From cozy vegetarian dishes to dinner parties with a dash of whimsy and charm, there are so many foolproof ideas to help you get through this season. As the temperature starts to cool, people tend to hunker down at home more than usual and often eat less healthy foods.
Cozy meals don’t necessarily have to be super elaborate either: from hearty stews to simple soups. So, here are some tips for making all of these winter meals feel a little cozier this season!
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Try New Dishes You Haven’t Tried Yet
The best way to make your winter cozier is to try new dishes you haven’t tried yet. It can get pretty boring to eat the same foods over and over again, even if this is something that you’re doing with your family. While yes, it’s nice just getting to stick to the basics you’re comfortable with, the only way you can expand your palate is going to be by simply expanding it and try out new foods and dishes. Whatever you choose, it’s important that you have some degree of whimsy in your meal planning. If you want to get fancy, plenty of recipes out there can help make your winter cozy but fun too!
Bring Out The Dishes You Have Been Loving
Bring out your favorite dishes for the wintertime. This can mean anything from a bowl of hearty stew to a hearty casserole. Make sure to keep some staple recipes on hand so you can have warm and cozy meals all season long. What better way to get through the cold weather than by warming up to a dish that you love?
Build Around A Preference
If you’re looking for a way to make your winter meals feel cozier, try building around a preference. Instead of trying to make all your meals into cozy ones, find one that you already like and focus on making it better. Maybe you already love cooking but want something new. Try adding some warming spices or herbs that are traditionally used to add warmth to dishes.
If you have a particular craving, try experimenting with different ingredients in the same dish until you find what works for it. Another option is to create comfort food from scratch. Comfort food can be anything from macaroni and cheese (the ultimate comfort food) to hot chocolate (soothing and comforting). By creating these dishes yourself, you can also control the ingredients without sacrificing any of the comfort factors.
Stay Away From Take-Out And Convenience Foods
The first step to feeling cozy is avoiding the temptation of take-out food. While it may seem like a great idea since you can avoid cooking, it’s actually not. Take-out food is often loaded with sodium, sugar, and preservatives that have been linked to weight gain and other health issues. It also doesn’t give you time to prepare a healthy meal in advance, so you end up eating at home what could otherwise be healthier dishes.
Soups Are a Must!
If you’re looking for a comforting winter meal or even something for those busy evenings, soup is a great way to go. They make winter feel more homey and cozy, so they are perfect for those cold days when you want to stay in. Soups can be spicy or mild depending on your family’s tastes, and can also be made with ingredients from leftovers in the fridge.
With soups, there are endless possibilities as well. You could make a creamy tomato soup with meatballs for dinner one night and then vegan lentil chili on another. Get creative with soup-based recipes that will warm your soul!
No Meal Will Feel Complete Without Bread Or Sweets
One of the most classic winter meals, bread and pastries will always be a perfect accompaniment to any meal. Whether it’s a hearty soup or roasted vegetables, there’s nothing like a slice of toast to add fuel to your fire. Who doesn’t love serving up some hearty bread with their soups? However, you could always bring some dessert into the mix instead. Why not consider a buttermilk pie recipe to go with your winter meals? You’ll know for a fact that the food is going to be delicious!
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