5 meals for winters
Food

5 Meals For Winters (With Recipes Included) That Will Keep Your Warm All Season Long

As the cold, harsh winter is upon us, you’ll need the best 5 meals for winters to stay warm and cozy throughout the season. However, you can do different things all winter. Try some of the best recipes to bring joy back into your life during this dreary time of year!

What are 5 hearty, filling, and delicious meals for winter?

  • Chili: 

This hearty dish is packed with beans, beef, and spices, making it the perfect meal to warm you up in a cold winter.

  • Stew: 

Another excellent option for a winter meal, the stew, is usually made with various meats and vegetables that make it filling and delicious.

  • Roast:

 A roast is a classic winter meal that will fill you up and keep you warm. Roasts can be made with pork, beef, or chicken and are often served with potatoes and carrots.

  • Soup: 

Soup is always a good option for a hearty, filling meal. There are endless possibilities for soup recipes, so you can discover one that suits your taste buds perfectly.

  • Lasagna:

This comforting dish is perfect for a winter night in front of the fireplace. It’s layered with pasta, meat, cheese, and sauce, making it a filling and satisfying meal.

Recipe 1: Chili Verde, Salad, and Rice

Looking for 5 meals for winters to stay warm? This chili Verde is the perfect meal! It is packed with flavorful green chilies, tender chicken, and a zesty tomatillo sauce, and it’s sure to please. Present it over a bed of rice and top it with a fresh salad for a complete meal. 

chilli verde

Ingredients:

  • One lb. boneless, skinless chicken thighs
  • Two tablespoons of olive oil
  • One onion, diced
  • Three cloves garlic, minced
  • 2-3 tablespoons chopped green chilies
  • 1 (14 oz) can of diced tomatoes, undrained
  • 1 (8 oz) can of tomato sauce
  • 1/2 cup chicken broth
  • One tablespoon of chili powder
  • One teaspoon of ground cumin
  • One teaspoon of dried oregano leaves
  • 4-6 tomatillos, husks removed, finely chopped 
  • 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

  • Warm the oil over medium heat in a large container or cooking pot.
  •  Add the chicken and prepare it until browned on all sides. 
  • Remove from the pot and set aside. 
  • To the pot, add the onion, garlic, and green chilies. 
  • Cook until the onion is softened. Add the diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, chicken broth, chili powder, cumin, oregano, and tomatillos. 
  • Stir well and bring to a simmer. 
  • Add the chicken back into the container and simmer for 30 minutes to allow the flavors to meld. 
  • Season with salt and pepper to taste. 
  • Just before serving, stir in the cilantro. 
  • Prepare it over a bed of rice and top it with a salad if desired.

Recipe 2: Lentils with Roasted Vegetables and Falafel

roasted lentils

Ingredients:

  • 1 cup green or brown lentils
  • One roasted sweet potato
  • One roasted beet
  • Two carrots, peeled and diced
  • 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
  • 1/4 cup fresh mint, chopped
  • Three tablespoons of freshly squeezed lemon juice.
  • Three tablespoons olive oil
  • One teaspoon of ground cumin
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground coriander
  • Add salt and black pepper to taste.

For the falafel: 

  • One can (15 ounces) of chickpeas, drained and rinsed. 
  • One small onion, diced 
  • Three cloves garlic, minced 
  • 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped 
  • 1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped 
  • Two tablespoons of freshly squeezed lemon juice 
  • One teaspoon of ground cumin 
  • Add salt and black pepper to taste. 
  • Three tablespoons chickpea flour or all-purpose flour 

 Directions:

  1. To make the lentils: Bringg two mugs of water to a boi in a medium fryingpanl. Add the lentils and simmer for 20-30 minutes until tender. Drain any excess water.
  2. To make the falafel: In a blender, combine the chickpeas, onion, garlic, herbs, lemon juice, cumin, and salt and pepper. Beat until the mixture becomes a thick paste. Add the flour and pulse again just until combined.
  3. Shape the mixture into tiny balls (about one tablespoon each) and place on a lightly greased baking sheet. Simmer it at 400 degrees F for 15-20 minutes until it gets golden brown.
  4. To assemble the dish: In a large bowl, combine the cooked lentils, roasted vegetables, fresh herbs, lemon juice, olive oil, cumin, and salt and pepper. Mix well.
  5. Serve the lentils with the falafel on the side.

Recipe 3: Veggie Fajitas with Homemade Bread

veggie fajita

Ingredients:

  • One tablespoon of olive oil
  • One white onion, diced
  • One red bell pepper, diced
  • One green bell pepper, diced
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 teaspoon chili powder
  • 1 teaspoon cumin
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • 1 tablespoon chopped fresh cilantro leaves

For the fajitas:

  • 8-10 whole wheat flour tortillas (6-inch)
  • 1/2 cup prepared salsa
  • 1/2 cup sour cream or plain yogurt

Instructions:

  1.  Preheat oven at 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Heat olive oil in a large frying pan over medium heat. Add onion, bell peppers, garlic, chili powder, cumin, salt, and pepper; cook and stir until vegetables are tender about 10 minutes. Stir in cilantro. 
  2. Warm tortillas in the preheated oven for about 5 minutes. Place two tablespoons of the vegetable mixture down the center of each tortilla. Roll up tortillas and place them on a baking sheet, seam-side down. 
  3. Bake in the preheated oven until crispy, about 15 minutes. Serve with salsa and sour cream or yogurt.

Recipe 4: Winter Vegetable Soup with Quinoa

This winter vegetable soup with quinoa is the perfect meal to keep you warm all season long. This soup is packed with nutrient-rich vegetables, and the quinoa boosts protein to help keep you satisfied. Serve this soup with a side of crusty bread for a complete meal. 

vegetable soup

Ingredients:

  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 onion, diced
  • 3 carrots, diced
  • Three celery stalks, diced
  • One teaspoon of dried thyme.
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
  • 6 cups vegetable broth
  • 2 cups chopped winter greens (such as kale or Swiss chard)
  • 1 cup cooked quinoa 
  • 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley

Directions:

  1. In an enormous container, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the onion, carrots, celery, thyme, salt, and black pepper, and cook until all the vegetables are tender, about 10 minutes.
  2. Add the vegetable broth and winter greens, and bring to a simmer. 
  3. Cook until the greens are wilted, about 5 minutes.
  4. Stir in the quinoa and parsley, and cook for 2 minutes to heat through. 
  5. Serve hot.

Recipe 5: Lasagna

This dish is a classic because it’s hearty, filling, and comforting. This lasagna recipe features layers of flavorful ground beef, ricotta cheese, and tender pasta sheets, all covered in a rich tomato sauce. It’s the perfect meal to warm you up in a cold winter. 

lasagna

Ingredients:

  • 1 pound ground beef
  • One onion, diced
  • Three cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 (28-ounce) can crush tomato
  • 1 (6-ounce) can of tomato paste
  • Two tablespoons chopped fresh parsley.
  • One tablespoon of chopped fresh basil
  • One teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 (15-ounce) container of ricotta cheese 
  • One egg
  • 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • Nine lasagna noodles
  • 3 cups shredded mozzarella cheese

Directions:

  1. Preheat oven at 375 degrees F (190 degrees C). 
  2. In a large frying pan, cook beef over medium heat until browned. Drain fat and stir in onion and garlic. Cook for 5 minutes more.
  3. Stir in crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, parsley, basil, salt, and pepper. Simmer for 30 minutes. 
  4. Mix ricotta cheese, egg, and Parmesan cheese in a bowl. 
  5. To assemble, spread 1/2 cup of beef sauce over the bottom of a 9×13 inch baking dish. Arrange three noodles over the sauce and sprinkled with 1/3 of the ricotta mixture. 
  6. Sprinkle with 1 cup of mozzarella cheese. 
  7. Repeat layering of noodles, ricotta mixture, and meat sauce. 
  8. Cover with aluminum foil and bake for 25 minutes. 
  9. Remove foil and bake for 30 minutes or until lasagna is lightly toasted.

What are the best nutrients for staying warm all season long?

A few nutrients are vital for staying warm all season long. These include omega-3 fatty acids, vitamin D, magnesium, and iron.

Omega-3 fatty acids 

Omega-3 fatty acids help to keep your body temperature regulated. They can be found in fish, nuts, and seeds. 

Vitamin D 

Vitamin D is vital for maintaining healthy bones and strengthening your immune system.

 Magnesium 

Magnesium helps to relax muscles and improve circulation. Iron is essential for carrying oxygen to your cells.

These nutrients can be found in many winter foods, such as salmon, dark leafy greens, sweet potatoes, and fortifying soups or stews. Eating a diet rich in these nutrients will help you stay warm all season long!

Why do we need to eat more in the winter?

In the winter, our bodies need more energy to keep us warm. That means we need to eat more food – especially foods high in calories and nutrients.

eating

There are a few reasons for this:

  1. When it’s cold outside, our bodies burn more calories to stay warm.
  2. We tend to be less active in the winter, so we need fewer calories overall.
  3. Many of us have a more challenging time getting enough Vitamin D in the winter because we don’t get as much sun exposure.

So how can you ensure you get enough calories and nutrients in the winter? Here are a few tips:

Eat breakfast: 

A nutritious breakfast will give you the instant energy to start your day and help you stay warm all day.

Choose calorie-dense foods: 

Foods like nuts, seeds, avocados, and olive oil are all great choices to help you stay full and energized.

Add some protein: 

Protein helps your body repair and build tissue, so it’s essential to include it at every meal. Protein sources include meat, poultry, fish, beans, tofu, and eggs.

Stay hydrated: 

Drinking plenty of water all year round, especially in the winter, when we can get dehydrated more quickly due to the dry air.

Conclusion

With winter comes the need for warmer, more comforting meals. That’s why we’ve put together a list of our five favorite winter recipes that will keep you cozy all season long, from hearty stews to creamy pasta dishes. And best of all, each can be easily tailored to your taste preferences. So whether you like your food spicy or mild, there are recipe on this list. So what are you waiting for? Get cooking!

FAQs

1. What are some good meals for winter?

There are many hearty and warming meals that are perfect for winter weather. Some of our favorites include stews, casseroles, soups, and chili. The recipes contain flavor and nutrients that will help you stay warm all season long.

2. What should I consider when making a winter meal?

When making a winter meal, it’s essential to choose recipes that will fill you up and provide lasting energy. Hearty ingredients like beans, meats, and vegetables are always a good choice. Additionally, spices like ginger, cinnamon, and cloves can help add flavor and warmth to your dish.

3. What is the best way to prepare a winter meal?

There is no multi-purpose answer to this question. It depends on the recipe you’re using and your personal preferences. However, slow cooking methods like braising and simmering are often ideal for winter dishes as they allow the flavors to develop over time and create a comforting, homey meal.

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