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Three Healthy Winter Recipes To Try Right Now

01/02/2021
By Jena Mays

Winter calls for delicious soups, pasta, and vegetables. Truly, there is nothing better than eating warm homemade food on a cold winter day. If you want to finally meet that cooking goal, winter is the best time to achieve it, since much of the time is spent indoors. Here are some of the best easy winter recipes you can try (and enjoy) in the comfort of your home. 

Low-Carb Winter Food For Breakfast

If you’re a fan of eating healthy then this recipe for winter vegetables is perfect for you. Instead of heavy items, this lightweight recipe is rich in texture, flavor, and has a delectable consistency. For an extra personalized splash of flavor, incorporate some of your favorite fresh vegetables.

Vegetables are very important to maintain good health. According to experts, many Americans are not consuming nearly enough vegetables to fulfill their daily nutrition requirements. So a breakfast option that incorporates vegetables is a great way to get a head start on your daily nutrition intake. 

The best part is, you don’t need a stove to prepare this recipe. It’s a quick, low-carb winter recipe which makes for a great addition in your current diet plan. Also, it’s super easy, and even the most inexperienced chefs can make it. So, bring out those fall and winter vegetables and get started.

What You’ll Need

• olive oil
• balsamic vinegar
• grated parmesan cheese
• 1 small green leaf lettuce, or your preferred leafy green
• salt and pepper
• 1 small broccoli
• ½ bunch asparagus

Procedure

1. Cut the head of broccoli into bite-sized florets.
2. Preheat your oven to 400°F.
3. Cover a baking dish with aluminum foil.
4. Place your asparagus on this dish.
5. Lightly coat with olive oil and season to taste with salt and pepper.
6. Bake the asparagus for 10-15 minutes.
7. In a bowl, add the lettuce, and drizzle a few tablespoons of balsamic vinegar.
8. Add the baked asparagus onto the lettuce.
9. Top it off with parmesan cheese and enjoy.

Soupy Lunch Winter Recipe

Perhaps the most comforting of all winter foods is soup. Soups are a fall and winter favorites not only because they are warm, filling, and delicious but because they are also packed with nutrition that your body craves in the cold months. From smooth squash soups to hearty veggie soups packed with protein, the options are endless. Soups allow you to eat well and enjoy a tasty meal without sabotaging your diet. Plus, soups can be extremely convenient, easy to store and sip on the go, and can also be frozen for future use.

Unfortunately, restaurant and store-bought soups are usually not as healthy as they appear. Their high sodium content and calories can be a dangerous option for anyone trying to eat healthily. So, if you want to lose weight and get the most out of homemade soups, try this autumn and winter soup recipe.

What You’ll Need

• 2 cups of water
• 3 cups of milk
• 1 tsp olive oil
• ½ cup all-purpose flour
• 3 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 medium onion, finely diced
• ½ cup celery, finely diced
• ½ cup carrots, finely diced
• 32 oz chicken stock
• ½ tsp pepper
• ½ tsp oregano
• 1 bay leaf
• 2 large chicken breasts, cooked and shredded
• scallions, thinly sliced
• 4.3 oz box of Rice-a-Roni Long Grain and Wild Rice + seasoning packet

Procedure

1. In a stock pan, add olive oil, celery, onions, and carrots.
2. Simmer on medium heat for about ten minutes, or until onions are semi-transparent.
3. Add 1 cup of milk, garlic cloves, chicken stock, and water into the mixture.
4. Stir until all ingredients are properly mixed.
5. Stir in oregano, pepper, shredded chicken, and bay leaf.
6. Simmer for 15 minutes, stirring occasionally. 
7. Whisk 1 cup of milk and ½ cup flour in a small bowl until smooth. 
8. Slowly pour this flour mixture into the soup and whisk until all ingredients are well-combined.
9. Stir in the Rice-a-Roni Long Grain and Wild Rice with its seasoning packet.
10. Mix well.
11. Garnish with thinly sliced scallions and enjoy.

Winter Pasta Recipes For Dinner

Warm winter dinners can be extremely heavy and loaded with unhealthy calories, and often the last thing a person wants to eat in chilly weather is a cold salad. However, there is a healthy, mouth-watering warm alternative to cold vegetables, i.e. pasta.

Winter pasta recipes are a delight for all pasta lovers. This golden sun-dried tomato and red lentil pasta recipe is easy, simple, quick, and protein-rich. Also, it takes under an  hour to make and can serve 6 people.

What You’ll Need

• ¼ cup extra virgin olive oil
• 6 cloves garlic, minced/grated
• 2 tsp ground turmeric
• 1 tbsp dried basil
• 1 tbsp dried oregano
• 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar
• ½ cup oil-packed, sun-dried tomatoes
• pepper and salt (oil drained and chopped)
• 28 ounce fire-roasted tomatoes (preferably San Marzano)
• 8 ounce red lentil pasta 
• Grated parmesan cheese
• Toasted nuts or seeds

Procedure

1. In a large pot, heat olive oil on medium heat. 
2. When the oil shimmers, and onion and cook until light brown for 5-10 minutes.
3. Add the turmeric, garlic, basil, oregano, salt, and pepper.
4. Cook for 1-2 minutes or until the garlic is golden brown. 
5. Add the fire-roasted tomatoes, slowly, and crush them with the back of a wooden spoon.
6. Next, add the sun-dried tomatoes and the vinegar.
7. Simmer for 10-15 min, stirring often, until its volume slightly decreases.

8. Add the spinach and cook for five more minutes.
9. In a separate large pot, boil the pasta as per the instructions in well salted water.
10. Drain the pasta well. 
11. Add the pasta in the bowls and pour the sauce over each serving.
12. Garnish according to taste with cheese, nuts, or herbs.

Conclusion

While winter is a time to relax and enjoy a cozy atmosphere, eating healthy is just as important. You need not restrict yourself to bland, tasteless salads. There are many types of winter comfort foods that are both tasty and healthy.  Whether it’s a creamy pasta or a meaty stew, warm homemade soups and food like pasta and roasted veggies will satisfy your warm winter cravings while gratifying your most important nutritional needs. od will nourish your heart and fill your soul with contentment.

In addition to these recipes, you can also stay fit by eating winter fruits and exercising regularly. Winter workouts are quite different from summer workouts, therefore, you need to be ready for seasonal changes. Seasonal winter meats are also a good option if you get tired of vegetables easily. 

If you want some more inspiration for delicious winter recipes, the following video has some delicious ideas that you can try at home.

Staying healthy is crucial at a time when going outside can be very difficult. Eating mindfully is even more important during this time. But a healthy lifestyle can still be easily maintained by using healthy winter recipes and regular exercise. If winters are still unbearably cold for you, you might want to check out the benefits of an infrared sauna blanket to warm you up even in the coldest climates.

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