Warming Up with Mother Earth: 5 Cozy Winter Recipes Perfect for a Winter’s Night In

Winter may be synonymous with the holidays. But if there's one thing about this season that's not always welcome, it's the cold. Luckily, one way to keep cozy and warm during the colder months is to make our favorite comforting dishes. From stews to soups to casseroles (and many bakes), many meals can turn a cold winter day into a cozy experience. If you could use some comfort as the temperatures drop, these five cozy winter recipes are perfect for warming up with Mother Earth. Talk about comfort food to the rescue!

1. Chicken Potato Chowder

Chicken noodle soup may be the king of comforting soups. But this chicken potato chowder is just as satisfying, if not more, thanks to the chunks of potato added to the pot. Add a few croutons on top just before serving to balance the meal's creaminess. Ready to feel cozy?

Ingredients:

• 1/4 cup olive oil
• 3 tbsp dried onions
• 3 cups freeze dried potatoes
• 1/2 tsp dried garlic (granulated)
• 3 cups chicken stock
• 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
• 2 cups milk
• 2 1/4 cups textured soy protein (TSP) chicken bits
• 1 cup Cheddar cheese, grated
• 1/2 tsp dried thyme
• 1/2 cup fresh parsley, chopped
• 1 1/2 cups croutons
• Salt & pepper, to taste

Instructions:

Add the chicken and 5 cups of warm water to a bowl and soak for 15 minutes. Once hydrated, drain the water and squeeze away excess liquid. Set aside.

Add the olive oil to a large pot and heat over medium-low heat. Saute the onion and garlic for 9-10 minutes.

Stir in the flour and saute for another minute. Pour in the broth and the milk and whisk until thickened.

Stir in the potatoes and chicken and season with salt, pepper, and thyme. Cook for 15 minutes or until the potatoes are fork-tender.

Remove from the heat, stir in the parsley and cheese, top with croutons, and serve.

2. Greek-Style Beef Orzo

Also known as giouvetsi, this meal is the epitome of Greek comfort food. The combo of beef, orzo, and tomato creates a creamy mix that can warm you from the inside out on the coldest of winter days. Serve with a slice of bread, or sprinkle a tablespoon of crumbled Feta cheese on top for even more flavor.

Ingredients:

• 2/3 cup olive oil
• 1/4 cup dried onions
• 1 tsp dried garlic (granulated)
• 1/3 cup dried carrots
• 2 tbsp dried leeks
• 3 cups textured soy protein (TSP) beef bits
• 1 cup dried orzo pasta
• 2 tbsp tomato paste
• 1 cup tomato sauce
• 1 cup beef stock
• 5 cups water
• 1 tsp dried thyme
• Salt & pepper, to taste

Instructions:

Add 1/3 cup of the olive oil to a large pot and heat over medium heat. Saute the onions, garlic, carrots, and leeks for 9-10 minutes. Add a tablespoon of olive oil if needed. Transfer the sauteed veggies to a bowl and set aside.

Add the remaining olive oil and beef to the pot and saute for 10 minutes. Stir in the veggies and tomato paste. Saute for two more minutes.

Pour in the tomato sauce and three cups of water and season with salt, pepper, and thyme.

Lower the heat to low, cover, and cook for half an hour or until the meat is cooked.

Meanwhile, preheat the oven to 350oF. Transfer the meat to a baking dish, and add the orzo pasta, the stock, and the remaining water. Cover with aluminum foil and bake for 30 minutes. Remove from the oven and serve immediately.

3. Jalapeño Mac & Cheese

Cozy meets spicy in this cool-weather recipe -and we're ready for it. While jalapeño peppers are usually optional, this dish features it as the main ingredient for warming up on a cold night. Tip: Use half the recommended portion to take heat down a notch.

Ingredients:

• 3 tbsp dried jalapeño peppers
• 3 tbsp butter
• 3 tbsp all-purpose flour
• 1 cup milk
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 2 cups Cheddar cheese, grated
• 1 package of elbow macaroni
• Salt, to taste

Instructions:

Cook the pasta in a large pot according to the package's instructions. Set aside.

Add the butter to a large saucepan and saute the peppers for 5 minutes over medium heat.

Whisk in the flour and cook for 5 more minutes to make the roux.

Pour in the milk and heavy cream and stir to combine. Add the Cheddar cheese and cook for 10 more minutes until the sauce thickens.

Pour the cheese sauce onto the cooked pasta and stir to combine. Serve immediately.

4. Tomato Risotto

This risotto twist is extra creamy, comforting, and the perfect way to thaw out after a brisk day. A carrot, bell pepper, and parsley medley add color to an otherwise beige dish. For extra comfort, stir in a few tablespoons of your favorite cheese or enjoy with a glass of white wine.

Ingredients:

• 1 2/3 cups Arborio rice
• 4 tbsp olive oil
• 1/4 cup dried onions
• 1/4 cup dried carrots
• 1/3 cup organic dried red bell peppers
• 1/2 tsp dried garlic (granulated)
• 1/2 tbsp granulated sugar
• 1 tbsp tomato paste
• 4 cups water
• 3/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
• 1 tbsp butter
• 1 cup tomato sauce
• Salt & pepper, to taste

Instructions:

Add the olive oil to a large pot and heat over medium heat. Saute the onion, carrots, garlic, and bell pepper for 6-7 minutes.

Add the sugar and tomato paste and mix. Pour the tomato sauce, water, and rice and stir. Lower the heat to low and cook for 15-20 minutes.

Remove from the heat and stir in the butter. Add the parsley and mix to combine. Season with salt and pepper and serve.

5. French Onion Meatball Subs

Marrying the cozy vibes of meatball subs and french onion soup, this meal deeply satisfying and filling. Despite its elaborate look, it’s also quite easy to make, posing as an excellent choice for any weekday. 

Ingredients:

• 1/4 cup butter
• 1 cup dried onions
• 1 tsp dried garlic (granulated)
• 1 tsp Worcestershire sauce
• 1 tsp granulated sugar
• 2/3 cup beef broth
• 3 cups textured soy protein (TSP) beef bits
• 4 hoagie rolls
• 1 cup Parmesan cheese, grated
• 1 tsp dried thyme
• Salt & pepper, to taste

Instructions:

Add the beef and 6 cups of warm water to a bowl and soak for 15 minutes. Once hydrated, drain the water and squeeze away excess liquid. Set aside.

Preheat the oven to 400°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.

Add the butter to a large saucepan and melt over medium heat. Add the onion and garlic and saute for 9-10 minutes. Add the sauce, sugar, salt, thyme, and pepper, and saute for another minute. Pour in the broth and cook until the onion sauce has reduced and is only slightly liquid.

Combine the onion mixture in the bowl with the beef. Form bite-sized meatballs and arrange them on the baking sheet. Cook for 15 minutes or until cooked through. Remove from the oven and let cool.

Cut the hoagies in half, stuff each with as many meatballs as possible, and top with 1/4 cup of the cheese. Enjoy!

Warm up with Mother Earth Products this winter thanks to our five cozy winter recipes. Which ones will you try? Let us know in the comments below!

References: 

https://www.averiecooks.com/loaded-cheesy-chicken-potato-chowder/#mv-creation-1069-jtr

https://akispetretzikis.com/en/recipe/2481/gioyvetsi-moschari

https://www.modernhoney.com/creamy-jalapeno-macaroni-and-cheese/

https://theplantbasedschool.com/tomato-risotto/

https://thecuriousplate.com/french-onion-meatball-subs/

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