Winter Recipe Round-Up

Brace yourself.  This is not your ordinary recipe round-up.  *Cue dramatic music.*

Delving deep into the Brittany’s Pantry archives, I have pulled forth recipes that I may have posted years ago, but still make on a regular basis. Remember.  Nothing gets posted on this site unless I make for my friends and family.  Not just once and then never again, but food that is reliable and worth a spot on our everyday menus.

But back to the round-up.

No one wants recipes for watermelon smoothies and asparagus salad when it is snowing outside.  What we need is good food we can make during the darker, more dreary months, that keeps us generally eating within the season.  That was one of the things I tried to remember when compiling this list for you.  Also, this is a little bit healthy, a little bit comforting, and a LOT of tasty goodness.  Some of you are after healthy food to help you reach your fitness goals or to add to your already hefty repertoire of good-for-you recipes.  I have some of those for you.  Many of you are after anything that will warm you up when you come in from the sub-zero temperatures outside.  I gotcha covered.  For those individuals that just want a meal that feels like a warm hug from Granny, look no further.  There is a little bit of everything here on this list and hopefully, you will find what you are looking for, and a few things you didn’t even know you were after.  Anything to get us through till spring, right?

WARM YOU UP RECIPES 

Tator Tot Hotdish: Meat.  Po-tators.  Little bit of veg.  Good ‘ol cream soup.  It is a classic and traditional meal from the North Star State and eating it may just bring out a bit of an accent, dontchyaknow.  This is so comforting it is practically medicinal.  If this hot dish doesn’t warm you to your bones, there is no hope for you.  Also, I am from Minnesota, ere go, this is a hot dish.  Anywhere else in the country and you have my permission to call it a casserole.

Ultimate Hot Chocolate Version #1: I have several versions of hot chocolate on my blog, preferring to make it with a variety of flavors and methods.  However, this is my general fail safe recipe and I make it all. the. time.  What is better at bringing on that cozy feeling than hot chocolate?

Crockpot Apple Oatmeal: Throw it in the slow cooker and leave it till morning.  Doesn’t get much better.  It is so good and so easy to do, I have lost count of the number of times I make this every month.

Hobo Dinners: Such a great change from the normal dinner and a fun and different way to use ground beef!  Everyone layers what they want in a foil packet, it bakes away, and no mess!

Rum Raisin Rice Pudding:  Few things will make your toes curl and goosebumps raise on your arms as tucking into a bowl of steaming, creamy rice pudding.  The heat spreads from your tummy out to your fingertips and all is right with the world.  Talk about warming you up.  This stuff conjures visions of ski chalet fireplaces and wool socks.  Trust me.

HEALTHY RECIPES

Green Tea Smoothies: Fresh and clean, these healthy smoothies have a hit of matcha powder that pairs great with the spinach.  Not overly sweet and incredibly satisfying, these are in regular rotation at our house.  A great boost of nutrients when the variety of fresh produce available during the colder months can be low.

Baked Brown Rice:  If you only make one recipe from this round-up, let it be this one.  This healthy dish is simple, but tastes amazing.  It goes with everything, meets a myriad of dietary needs, and bakes by itself in the oven!  How great is that?!  The leftovers are great cold in a tortilla or stirred into scrambled eggs in the morning.

Healthy Black Bean Salsa:  For those of you looking for something deferent to bring to a game day get together besides hummus, I have your solution.  This makes a great winter recipe because the two main ingredients, black beans and tomatoes, come from a can, and the rest of the ingredients are available year round without compromising flavor!  Super good for you and easy to make, this is good on top of a lettuce salad with grilled chicken, or stirred into any manner of dishes. Of course, scooped up with the chip of your choice is good too.

Pomegranate Sorbet W/Mini Chocolate Chips:  Tangy and refreshing, this is a stellar treat that won’t undo all your good work.  I make this year round and it always hits the spot.  The best part?  Its practically guilt free.  A scoop or two fits right into a healthy eating regime.

Asian Turkey Lettuce Wraps:  These just may be the best kept secret on this blog.  The flavor is out of this world and I cannot tell you how freaked out you will be (in a good way) when you finally try them.  Super low carb, gluten free, and using only lean meat, vegetables, and a few spices, you have a meal you could eat for days and days!  Hot or cold, you will clean your plate.  A great, light meal in the middle of winter!

COMFORTING RECIPES

Banana Bran Muffins: These beauties are one of the first recipes I ever posted and is still one of my favorites. They are cozy and warm and will make your house smell absolutely heavenly. The banana keeps them sweet and the bran makes them filling and hearty. Tucked in the freezer they make a great quick grab and go breakfast.

Simple & Classic Beef Stew: The ultimate in comfort food, this stew never goes out of style.

Bistro Braised Chicken:  Just like a toasty blanket fresh from the dryer, this dish warms you to your toes.  It has all the comforts of a classic chicken noodle soup, but with a punch of extra flavor and the added plus of being able to eat it with a fork.  Nom.

My Go-To Sloppy Joe Recipe:  Nothing says comfort like the foods we used to eat as a kid.  This is my fool proof, make all the time, stash in the freezer, finger licking good Sloppy Joe Recipe.  I make it pretty much the same as my Mom taught me, but with a few twists.  It is like eating nostalgia on a bun.  The fact that it isn’t too bad for you is just a great side benefit!

Cornmeal Pancakes W/Blueberry Sauce:  These taste even better than they look.  So comforting you could swear they came from a gal named Flo at your local diner.

Enjoy!