Everything has its advantages and disadvantages. Even in nature. Just like summer has lovely, sunny, long days, it also has humidity, sweat-inducing heatwaves, and the temperature rising to an uncomfortable peak. Meanwhile, winter may be gloomy, dark, cold, with short days, yet, festivals, food, and coming home to a warm house are appealing characteristics of the season. If you live with your family, or partner, this season is the best season to snuggle. Snuggling your way to sleep does not only make you feel warm, it also helps to increase bonding.
Talking about bonding, and keeping warm, there is another way to enjoy the chilly days, whether you live with your family, partner, or alone.
Comfort food!
There are some foods that will surely warm your heart in the winter time, and you can eat them guilt-free because these comfort foods are healthy, and suitable for those on diets. Here is a list of guilt-free comfort foods to warm your heart this winter.
1. Sausage and Broccoli Rabe with Polenta
Winter and spicy food are a great combination. It keeps your body warm for sure. This Italian dish of goodness has a combination of sausages and broccoli. It is cooked in chicken stock, with a dash of dry white wine cooked in thick tomato puree. Perfect Italiano fusion.
2. Zesty Vegetable Lasagna
This recipe has two kinds of cheese, your favorite vegetables, and lots of them too! You can add penne pasta, or no-boil lasagna noodles, and different kinds of herbs. What a perfect weekend dinner for your family, and friends.
3. Baked Potato Eggs
This is a very rich, cheesy meal, that is perfect for a lazy weekend brunch. Not much of a hassle, this comfort food is so tasty that even a person on a diet would gobble it down without feeling guilty.
4. Iraqi Lamb and Eggplant Stew with Pitas
A hot lamb stew cooked using Middle Eastern techniques, this recipe is a delicious way to end the night. This hearty meal is best served with pita breads. The union of tender and juicy lamb, with ingredients including eggplant, yellow split peas, red chilies, and garam masala is just tantalizing!
5. Creamy Spinach Casserole
This spinach recipe has cheese, cream, bacon, lemon, and lemon zest, as well as other ingredients. If you are health conscious, avoid the cream. Otherwise, it is a hearty meal that you can eat alone.
6. Braised Short Ribs with Parsnips
The rich flavored short ribs in this recipe are braised in red wine, tomatoes, and herbs. The meat needs to be absolutely tender, and the seasoning should be oozing. You can have this dish with rice, mashed potatoes, or even egg noodles.
7. Chicken Noodle Soup
Nothing beats chicken noodle soup to keep you warm. The recipe is very easy, and takes a very short time to cook. It is absolutely suitable for those who are on strict diets.
8. Butternut Squash Enchiladas
One of my favorites, butternut squash is an ideal healthy vegetable. This recipe may raise eyebrows, but once you make it and taste it for yourself, you won’t believe how amazing it is! This is also a perfect complete meal for a vegetarian.
9. Cranberry-Streusel Corn Muffin
This simple cranberry-streusel muffin is a fantastic dessert item which you can serve after meal. Alternatively, you can eat this any time you want and children will thoroughly enjoy it too!
10. Peanut Butter Cup Fudge Brownie
This is truly sinful comfort food. The combination of peanut butter, chocolate, and coffee are more than enough to tease your taste buds. Do not forget to try this one at home- you will totally forget the bitter cold outside.
These comfort foods will surely make your heart warm. You should at least try one of these recipes, if not more. I hope you have enjoyed this article as much as I have enjoyed writing it for you.
Have a warm winter, everyone!
