Winter comes with the best cozy nights that provide opportunities for indoor activities such as board games, movie nights, and family meals in the warmth of a fireplace. When the chill sets in, use this collection of hearty meal ideas to bring warmth and comfort to your table.
The Winter Nutrient Boost
Before moving on to meal ideas, let’s try to understand what makes the winter diet different. Nutritional needs during the winter shift to accommodate the colder weather and potential seasonal challenges. You need to internally prepare your body to combat the flu, other illnesses, dry skin, and joint pain. A diet rich in nutrients can help build up immunity. You need more healthy carbs, proteins, and vitamins like A, C, D, E, and B-complex. Your mind and body also crave warm and hearty meals in the cold season.
Most people love the winter, but some may not, especially due to the challenges that it brings along. However, if you keep your body well-nourished, you’re likely to enjoy the season more. Here are a few meal ideas to get you started:
Meal 1: Chicken Noodle Soup
Winter should officially be designated as the season of soups. And chicken soup could get the title of the soup of the season. It’s the comfort food loved by the world.
It’s also very simple to prepare and you can make it up to 5 days ahead (sans the noodles). Just brown the chicken with salt, add stock, and simmer. Remove the chicken, and shred it when cool. Meanwhile, add vegetables and pepper powder to the soup pot and simmer again. Lastly, add egg noodles or any kind of thick noodles and let them cook until al dente. This soup itself is like a complete meal, as it includes macro as well as micronutrients. Just a spoonful will immerse you in a wave of nostalgia, reminding you of your mother’s love and grandma’s care.
Meal 2: Lobster Bisque Meal
Add lobster for protein in your meals, and it will prove to be a luxurious and interesting update. Lobster bisque is a decadent crowd-pleaser. With lobster tails, it can be ready in less than an hour. Enjoy a smooth lobster bisque featuring chunks of fresh lobster as the main dish. You can serve items like garlic bread, stuffed mushrooms, garden salad, or roasted asparagus with it for a fulfilling and nutritious meal.
Meal 3: Quinoa and Roasted Winter Vegetables
This is a fantastic vegetarian meal option rich in protein and fiber. Quinoa is a very versatile ingredient; you can use it in stuffed peppers or replace rice with it in stir-fries. You can even make quinoa burgers.
For the vegetables, it’s recommended to use what’s in season, so sweet potatoes, carrots, butternut squash, and parsnips are great options. You don’t need much to roast winter vegetables to perfection, just drizzle some olive oil and toss them with salt and pepper. The trick is not to cut them too small or too big to start with. One-inch cubes, or slightly larger are just the right size. The roasted vegetables should be ready in about 25 minutes in an oven at 425 degrees F.
Comforting Dessert: Baked Apple Crisp
Allow yourself a guilt-free treat with healthy alternatives. If you prepare it right, baked apple crisp can count as a healthy treat. Limit the sugar and use whole oats. Any varieties of apples will work. Leave the apple skin on, as it’s the most nutrient-dense part of an apple. If you want to substitute the butter, refined coconut oil or vegan butter will work.
Beverage: Golden Milk
The days are short in winter, and you might have dinner very early on some days. This means that by bedtime, hunger is likely to strike again. While you may be tempted to opt for a cup of coffee with cookies, try a glass of golden milk instead. Coffee can potentially keep you up at night, while the melatonin in milk can help you sleep. Did you know that melatonin is higher in milk in winter?
Golden milk is a concoction that contains antioxidants and anti-inflammatory compounds. It offers multiple health benefits. Have a glass of this wonder beverage a few minutes before you head to bed.
Wrapping Up
Comforting nutritious meals in winter have the potential to transform from mere culinary delights to heartwarming traditions. When you serve hearty warm meals to your family on cold nights, these meals don’t just nourish the bodies, they nourish souls and lead to beautiful shared memories. This winter, turn your home into a cozy haven where engaging conversations meet delicious flavors.
Mom on the go in Holy Toledo 
