I’ll admit I’m quite a picky eater. I know the foods I like so I prefer to stick to a predictable menu. However, because of this, eating the same meals over and over again can easily lead to boredom and dissatisfaction.
I recently overhauled my meal preparation and discovered some classic dishes that can be further enhanced with personal touches. (Bonus points for easy preparation and easy cleanup!)
Here are some cozy, hearty recipes perfect for getting the whole family through the winter funk.
1. Classic potato soup
Who doesn’t love soup on a cold winter day? The potato soup is rich, creamy, and filling, and will satisfy even the pickiest of eaters.
To feed 6 people you will need:
8 medium/large russet potatoes
6 to 8 slices of cooked bacon (cooked bacon is quick or use 3 oz bacon bits)
8 ounces cream cheese
chicken soup 32 oz
10.5 oz cream of chicken soup
1c cheddar cheese
Season with salt and pepper.
Wash, peel and grate the potatoes. Squeeze out the natural moisture contained in the potatoes. Fry the potatoes (basically make hash browns) for 5-7 minutes. Place the potatoes in a large pot and add the chicken broth, cream of chicken soup, salt, and pepper. Cook over medium-high heat until ingredients are mixed. Chop the bacon and add to the mixture. Add cheddar cheese and let it melt. Once the cheese has melted and the ingredients are mixed, add the cream cheese at the end to thicken the soup. (I recommend dicing the cream cheese and spreading it throughout the pan to prevent it from getting too hot.) Once the cream cheese is mixed, feel free to garnish with bacon or cheese. Let the soup cool slightly before serving. It goes well with bakery bread.
(For a crockpot version (no need to julienne potatoes), consider this recipe from Plowing through Life.)
2. Homemade beef stroganoff
I’ve always loved beef stroganoff, but since my son was born, I’ve become more conscious of the ingredients in my meals. So it turns out that the Hamburger Helper boxed option is no longer an option. I found a homemade version of Butcher’s Wife, but have since tweaked the recipe to make the meal more flavorful and creamy.
To feed 6 people you will need:
1 pound ground beef
Cream of Mushroom Soup 10.5 oz.
8 to 10 ounces of sour cream
Dried penne pasta 16 oz.
1/2 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
1/2 tablespoon garlic powder
1/2 tablespoon onion powder
Season with salt and pepper.
Boil the pasta, drain and set aside. In a large skillet, add browned ground beef. Drain the ground meat (optional). Next, mix the ground beef with the cream of mushroom soup, sour cream, Worcestershire sauce, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper. Blend these ingredients over medium-low heat. Once mixed well, add the pasta and simmer over low heat until the stroganoff is warmed through. Let it cool slightly before serving. It goes well with bread and salad (or green vegetables such as English peas).
*While the noodles are cooking, add 2 tablespoons of butter and salt to add flavor. Once the beef is cooked, add 1 tablespoon of butter to the skillet.
3. Bonnie Sue’s Original Chicken & Rice
I make this dish almost every week during the winter. It’s a simple recipe that’s easy to clean up and makes a meal that even the pickiest eaters will enjoy. (This is my grandmother’s own recipe and feels a bit nostalgic to me, so I thought I’d name it in her honor.)
To feed 4-6 people you will need:
chicken soup 32 oz
1 cup rice (I like long jasmine white rice)
Approximately 25 ounces shredded chicken (I use Valley Fresh Cooked Organic Shredded Chicken)
1 stick (4 ounces) of butter
Season with salt and pepper.
Add all ingredients to the pot and mix. Let the soup evaporate until the rice is cooked and the chicken is cooked through. Allow to cool slightly before serving. It goes well with bread and green beans.
(I told you this was easy!)
4. Hearty breaded spaghetti
Spaghetti may not seem like a traditional “winter” dish, but we’ve created our own recipe to give this Italian dish some depth and a cozy feel.
To feed 4-6 people you will need:
1.5 pounds ground beef
24-32 ounces spaghetti sauce (I like Bertolli’s Organic Tomato, Basil, and Garlic brand)
1 pound fettuccini noodles
bread crumbs of your choice
Mozzarella cheese as you like
Parmesan cheese appropriate amount
Salty as you like
Cook the noodles, drain and set aside (but keep them warm). In a large skillet, add browned ground beef. Drain the ground meat (optional). Return beef to skillet and add spaghetti sauce and salt. Add bread crumbs, mozzarella cheese, and Parmesan cheese until sauce thickens. Enjoy with noodles. It also goes great with bread and salad.
*While the noodles are cooking, add 2 tablespoons of butter and salt to add flavor. Once the beef is cooked, add 1 tablespoon of butter to the skillet.
5. Extra Creamy Chicken Casserole
My mom used to make this delicious chicken casserole when I was a kid, and it quickly became a hit with my girlfriends at sleepovers. If you want a warm and hearty meal that everyone will love, add this to your recipe list.
To feed 4-6 people you will need:
3-4 chicken breasts (large)
12 to 16 ounces of sour cream
10.5 oz cream of chicken soup
1 Sleeve Ritz cracker
Salty as you like
Preheat oven to 350°F. Boil the chicken and cut it into thin pieces. In a greased baking dish, combine the chicken with the sour cream and cream of chicken soup. Add salt to taste. Crush crackers and spread on top. Cook for 22-24 minutes. Let cool before serving. Add bread, peas, and corn for a heartier dinner.
*If you add 2 tablespoons of butter and salt to the chicken and fry it, the flavor will increase. Melt 2 tablespoons of butter and pour over the crackers before baking.
Extra steps to make your meals more meaningful
A study conducted by JAMA Pediatrics proved that eating dinner with your family at least three to four times a week has significant benefits for children. Establish healthier bonds and enhance communication and openness. It also minimizes the risk of eating disorders and violence in young people.
Just like any other season, winter is full of extracurricular activities. Our schedules are packed with ballet recitals, basketball and hockey practices, church events, and other gatherings. However, we recommend that you prioritize family meals whenever possible. Add them to your calendar to symbolize their importance.
If you’re short on time, prioritize the fellowship over the “homemade” aspects of the meal. Pick up Chick-fil-A or pizza to make up for the extra time normally spent preparing meals. It may sound a bit extreme, but as JAMA has proven, how well your family observes and practices healthy mealtimes can make a difference in your child’s mental, emotional, physical, and even spiritual health.
Meanwhile, consider having your loved ones take turns leading prayers each night before enjoying a delicious meal. Alternatively, have everyone recite a short round-robin prayer. The Garland family strictly enforces the rule of no screens in areas where phones and electronic devices are stored. (Bonus points for turning off all TVs so there are no distracting background noises!) Our family also enjoys sitting in a circle and sharing one thing we’re grateful for that day. (The younger the kids, the more fun this will be!)
Stay warm, eat happily, and God bless you!
Photo credit: ©Getty Images/Foxys_forest_manufacture
Peyton Garland is a writer, editor, and mom of a boy who lives in the beautiful foothills of East Tennessee. For more encouragement, subscribe to her blog Uncured+OK.
