The cold and dreary winter weather calls for some warm, comforting foods. The next time you need a warming cup of soup or are looking for something other than your standard go-to dishes, try these tasty winter recipes.
1. Seafood Gumbo
This hearty dish packs spice with seafood and has plenty of options for including your favorite items (like chicken or veggies).
What you’ll need:
- ½ pound sliced bacon
- 2 stalks of celery, sliced
- 1 sliced medium onion
- 1 chopped green pepper
- 2 cloves of garlic, minced
- 2 cups of chicken broth
- 1 14-ounce can of diced tomatoes
- 2 tablespoons of Worcestershire sauce
- 2 teaspoons of kosher salt
- 1 pound of large, raw, cleaned shrimp
- 1 pound of fresh or frozen crab meat
- 1 10-ounce box of okra
How to make it:
Cook the bacon in a medium saucepan until crisp. Remove with a slotted spoon and drain on a paper towel.
Drain the fat, except for 2 tablespoons, and add all the vegetables except the okra, 4 cups of broth, Worcestershire sauce and salt. Cover and simmer over medium heat for an hour.
Add the okra and cook for 10 minutes.
Stir in the seafood and cook until the shrimp curl and turn pink.
2. Gnocchi with Chard & White Beans
This one-skillet dish is comforting and healthy.
What you’ll need:
- 1 tablespoon and 1 teaspoon of extra virgin olive oil
- 1 16-ounce package of shelf-stable gnocchi
- 1 thinly sliced medium onion
- 4 cloves of minced garlic
- ½ cup of water
- 6 cups of chopped chard leaves or spinach
- 1 15-ounce can of diced tomatoes with Italian seasoning
- 1 15-ounce can of white beans, rinsed
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- ½ cup shredded, part-skim mozzarella cheese
- ¼ cup parmesan cheese
How to make it:
Heat a tablespoon of oil in a large nonstick skillet and add the gnocchi. Cook 5 to 7 minutes until plump and starting to brown. Transfer to a bowl.
Add the remaining teaspoon of oil to the pan and cook the onion for 2 minutes. Then stir in the garlic and water. Cover and cook until the onion is soft. Add the chard or spinach and cook until wilted. Stir in the tomatoes, beans and pepper and bring to a simmer. Add the gnocchi and sprinkle with the cheese. Cover and cook until the cheese is melted and sauce bubbling.
Crispy Chicken with Collard Greens
This is crispy chicken that’s actually good for you thanks to its preparation method and a little multigrain cereal.
What you’ll need:
- 3½ pounds of chicken, cut into pieces with the skin removed
- 2 tablespoons of Dijon mustard
- 2 cups of multigrain cereal flakes, crushed
- 2 tablespoons of olive oil
- 2 bunches of collard greens cut into 1-inch strips
- 2 cloves of garlic, thinly sliced
- 1 lemon, cut into wedges
How to make it:
Heat oven to 400° F. In a large bowl, toss the chicken and mustard to coat.
In a separate bowl, mix the cereal, 1 tablespoon of the oil, and ¼ teaspoon each salt and pepper. Coat the chicken with the cereal mixture and bake on a baking sheet until golden and cooked through, 45 to 50 minutes.
Cook the collard greens in a large pot of boiling salted water until tender, about 10 minutes. Drain, rinse and squeeze out the excess water.
Heat the remaining oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add the garlic, collards, and ¼ teaspoon each salt and pepper. Cook for 2 to 3 minutes. Serve with the chicken and lemon.
Do you love to bake? Enjoy baking with these healthier recipes!
