We all could use a healthy dose of comfort on a cold, blustery winter day. When thoughts of warm soups or hot chocolate dance in your head as you put on layers of clothing, a hat, scarf, gloves, and boots just to walk out to the mailbox. Dreams of bowls of creamy pasta or hearty stews occupy the time spent indoors, interspersed with other dreams of warm sandy beaches.
Can you tell it’s cold where I am right now?
I’m pretty sure I’m not alone in my wintry reverie, and it looks like the cold spell isn’t going anywhere soon for most of the country. So let’s huddle up and keep each other warm! Tell us:
What are some of your favorite cold weather comfort foods?
For me, it’s a big bowl of soup. Like the homemade ramen noodle soup above (definitely with the egg on top) or a hearty bowl of chili. Those are my favorite comfort foods when cold weather strikes. And of course, copious amounts of coffee during the day. That’s a given.
How about you? How do you fight off winter? A nice helping of creamy mac and cheese? Tomato soup with grilled cheese? A simmering bowl of beef stew? Share what keeps you warm inside and out, and if you have a recipe or a link to go with it, all the better!
Happy Wednesday, friends!
34 Comments
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Jessica McGinnis on 2.16.2015
Homemade chicken and noodles under a bed of creamy mashed potatoes! And hot rolls with honey on the side. I use heavy whipping cream in the mashed potatoes instead of milk to give it a very creamy texture and flavor! The family loves it!
Elizabeth on 1.9.2015
Chile, Pot Roast, Meatloaf, Pork Roast. Yum!
Cass on 1.9.2015
I’m the only one I know who makes warm, fluffy grits just to ladle homemade chili over them. It tastes so very much like a tamale and I sometimes shape the grits into a tamale shape before pouring the chili over.
grandmajohnnie on 1.9.2015
a couple of days ago, I was stopped before I could comment – but would have said soup and stews. I love making those all winter long. But in our couple of days of school closings, wind chills, snow, drifts, my favorite meal was last night. I made Pioneer Woman’s sloppy joes and threw frozen waffle fries in the oven. We were all smiling and content – and warmed up!
PK on 1.9.2015
Great picture, Definitely think my personal favourite comfort food is a roast dinner!
marie perlow on 1.8.2015
My winter comfort food is my version of Italian Wedding soup that my mom made for many years before the commercial ones came to the supermarkets. Hearty and comforting on a cold winter day.
MaryMarxer on 1.8.2015
Hubby and I love a big pot of chicken and dumplings (the big, puffy dumplings, please, not noodles masquerading) that we can reheat and eat on every day for a week. My own favorite winter tonic, though, is a tender pork roast, cooked on a bed of collard greens, and served alongside baked sweet potatoes and a plate of fresh hot corn pone. Mmmm, I made my tummy growl!
feistyfilly on 1.8.2015
My comfort foods change but almost always revolve around cheese and veg (insert grilled cheese and tomato soup?!) I’m making my current comfort food tonight which is Baked Spaghetti Squash with Spinach and Cheese. (See link below – credit SkinnyTaste) I’ve adapted it, but love it. I add garlic, and swap cheddar for Parm/Asigio mix. So comforting and yummo!!
http://www.skinnytaste.com/2013/01/baked-spaghetti-squash-and-cheese.html
nikkih on 1.8.2015
We eat lots of chili, chicken tortilla soup, a version of lasagna soup, and caldillo, a pork soup with green chiles, onions and potatoes.
Jean A on 1.8.2015
A nice bowl of homemade soup. My current favorite is beef barley.
Shannon J on 1.8.2015
I’m not much of a coffee drinker but I do like me some cappuccino! I also turn to soups when it’s cold outside. My favorite is cheesy chicken tortilla soup, but we also eat a lot of chili, cheeseburger soup, chicken noodle, and tomato with grilled cheese. I’m gluten free so I’ve had to learn to adapt most soups and this is an area where it’s a work in progress, but it’s a fun work in progress.
This weekend I’m going to attempt ham and bean soup. I’ve never actually made it from scratch, soaking the beans and throwing in a ham shank, so it shall be interesting.
It’s usually when I make a lot of Mexican food too. I think the spiciness just warms you from the inside out, and in Iowa, we need a lot of warming!
Diana on 1.8.2015
Soups! We prefer hearty ones like split pea or lentil, but we love soups of all kinds. I keep bags of soup frozen so we can pull one out any time we need that inner warmth that comes from soups. I also enjoy a large mug of fruity black tea!
Donna H on 1.8.2015
Big bowl of Chili or Homemade Chicken Noodle Soup!
Joyce on 1.8.2015
Coffee and homemade vegetable soup.
sheilahskitchen on 1.8.2015
Nothing like a hearty beef stew to warm you up! -7 degrees in Massachusetts today.
jp on 1.8.2015
Homemade soup or stew, usually Taco Soup, Chicken Noodle, Hamburger, or ‘leftovers’ but sometimes I like to look up new recipes. Love chili but trying to stay away from nightshade family (which has a lot of my very favorites!) Toasted Garlic Bread
Sandi W. on 1.8.2015
Soup so thick that it’s almost like a stew and apple crisp with soft serve vanilla ice cream so it melts in with the sweet crust and a warm home with family! That enough to keep me warm inside and out!
2wellsmade5 on 1.7.2015
In New Orleans…. that’s called Yackamein! It’s a staple off Bourbon St. Our comfort food is Chicken n Dumplings, Matzoh Ball soup and Homemade Baked Macaroni and Fried chicken.
Jayne | Tenacious Tinkering on 1.7.2015
I’m totally onboard the ramen & soup train. Anything soup or with plenty of gravy will receive a warm welcome on our dinner table (teehee!)
SandyO on 1.7.2015
Definitely soups I made White Chile Chicken tonight it was yummy on this cold day in Michigan.
Lisa A on 1.7.2015
Definitely hot soups! In the past month I’ve made chili, split pea with ham, chicken and vegetable, cream of broccoli, creamy asparagus with chicken.
lena on 1.7.2015
My comfort foods are soups and chowders with big, meaty chunks of vegetables and protein with hot, steamy dinner rolls that have glistening, buttery crusts. Gooey, cheesy noodle casseroles with cheesy garlic bread. Basically any and all potato dishes. For desserts, which are a must in winter, I love apple nut cakes (sometimes with vanilla ice cream, even in winter), hot chocolate chip and oatmeal cookies, fruit crumbles, and spicy or pumpkiny breads and cakes. I also like hot, buttered popcorn.
Acacia on 1.7.2015
My favorites are chili and meatloaf but with baby #3 on board, I just can’t stomach any red meat so its basically anything chicken
My family still loves the chili and meatloaf plus mashed potatoes and gravy.
C. L. ( Cheryl ) "Cheffie Cooks" Wiser on 1.7.2015
I just had to smile at this post?! In Florida we do not really have a winter. I still love all comfort foods to make. Chili, Stews, Casserole, Pizza, Soups, Seafood, Meatloaf, Baked Chicken. I could never tell you one favorite; I just love to cook, bake, create, tweak and share recipes! Cheryl
shari on 1.7.2015
I definitely find myself making lots of hearty soups, beans and cornbread, and homemade bread. For desserts I lean toward warm spices like ginger bread, oatmeal raisin cookies, or apple desserts. And for breakfast I make a big pan of baked oatmeal and warm individual portions in the microwave every morning. Literally stick to your ribs kind of food!
KrissyC EsMommy on 1.7.2015
Hailing from Minnesota, I know cold weather. lol. When the weather turns cold, I tend to turn towards the oven. I crave anything roasted. Like Kim, I too cook soups and stews in the oven. I love the richer taste that they tend to develop. But I also go for roast chickens, roast beef, hot dishes, and anything else I can get away with.
Shawna C on 1.7.2015
I too tend to put on a few pounds in the winter due to my love of comfort foods when it’s cold out. I do my best to cut down on the carbolicious things when possible, but I don’t worry about it too much though as it usually naturally comes off in the summer again.
In theory soup is the way to go, as it’s hot and comforting. In reality it seems like we have more pasta with turkey meatballs or chicken in the sauce and garlic cheese toast on the side, or turkey chili with onion-roasted potatoes, cheese, salsa and sour cream, all in one big bowl. Okay, now I’m drooling…
kim on 1.7.2015
I like anything that cooks long and low in the oven, giving the house the homey smell of dinner all day long. I guess it’s all comfort food this time of year. It’s 12 degrees with blowing snow as I type this, and I’m thinking of Sunday and a big old pot roast or a pot of beefy vegetable soup.
A couple of years ago I started making my winter favorites, soups and stews, in the oven instead of on top of the stove, and it’s been a revelation. I start in my Le Creuset on the stovetop, then once things are bubbling along I transfer it to the oven on, say, 250 or 300 degrees. Instead of keeping an eye on the pot and stirring, I can go do other things (or, if I’m lucky, nothing) while a big meal cooks.
Now it just doesn’t feel like Sunday in the fall or winter if there’s not a pot of something savory cooking away in the oven.
Pat E on 1.7.2015
Soup, chili, or stew! Give me a big bowl and I am happy!
Linda Ann on 1.7.2015
My all time favorite winter dinner is a roasted chicken, mashed potatoes and roasted carrots! I love to cook that on a Sunday afternoon….otherwise, it’s a big pot of soup….chicken vegetable with barley and nice crusty rolls…heaven!!
Laura in Yakima on 1.7.2015
Clam Chowder, Pot Roast and Root Vegetables, Stew, French Dips, Chili, Chicken and Dumplings… Oh Yum they all are my favorites. I love, love comfort foods!!!
Betsy on 1.7.2015
Homemade chicken soup! Not just for sick people.
Patty Paulsen on 1.7.2015
Soup, chili, stew. Ooey, gooey casseroles. Mexican food. Pot roast simmered all day on Sunday. Big bowl of oatmeal in the mornings. What I don’t eat: Whole meal salads (I usually still have a small salad on the side), smoothies (too cold) and ice cream. I firmly believe you gotta warm yourself from the inside out!
Jodi on 1.7.2015
Chili, spaghetti, and stroganoff are my go to winter meals. All served with some kind of warm and buttered bread. No wonder I gain weight in the winter. LOL