Maybe it’s an occupational hazard, maybe just an annoying personality trait😘 but in my perpetual search for the next great recipe out there, I’ve given short shrift to some of our most tried and true favorites around here. And that’s a real shame because there are some beloved recipes that I haven’t made in years!

What a fickle creature I am! At least that’s what it seemed like when I scrolled through my Recipe Index over the weekend. Well no more! It’s time to revisit some delicious old friends!

So without further ado, and in no particular order, here are some cold weather dishes/drinks/desserts etc that are guaranteed to keep you warm, well-fed and dare I say, in these very trying times, even happy!

1. Spring Minestrone with Mini-Chicken Meatballs—this is what started me reminiscing—After forgetting about this wonderful since 2016, I made it again a week ago and we loved it so, so much! Honestly, this might be my favorite soup ever! It’s satisfying without being heavy, immensely flavorful and the mini-meatballs are pure fun. This time I subbed in zucchini for the spinach and my daughter thinks that I should be making it a permanent change!! Oh, and ignore the “spring” in the title—it’s the perfect winter dish!

2. Amazing Soy Braised Short Ribs—why oh why, have I put this recipe aside? The meat cooks in an apple juice/mirin/soy sauce mixture, makes your house smell heavenly and literally melts in your mouth! I must make this again before the winter is over!!!

3. Creamy White Chicken Chili— Over the years, on these very pages, I’ve repeatedly professed just how much of a chili hater I am…and yet I find myself craving this! It’s the chili for chili-haters! Mildly spicy, full of tender white meat chicken and white beans and topped with addictively crispy homemade tortilla strips. YUM!!

4. Winter Vegetable Chowder—creamy, hearty, and chock full of interesting winter veggies like rutabaga and celeriac, this wonderful vegetarian soup has you cut those veggies into “attractive pieces”. Geez, I’ve been missing the fun for far too long!!!

5. Israeli Couscous with Mushrooms, Peas and Sweet Potato Sauce—I remember loving this a ton when I first made it—even vowed to make it part of my regular repertoire—but sadly it’s never graced our table since! So much for the best of intentions! Will definitely be making this again as I just found a container of Israeli couscous buried in my pantry!

6. Amazing Sweet Potato Nachos—With the Super Bowl only a couple of weeks away, these seem entirely appropriate and we can convince ourselves that we’re being healthy—after all, we are using sweet potatoes instead of taco chips. We’ll just forget about all the cheese and sour cream!!

7. Baked Oatmeal—when first discovered this, I made it week after week, till we all noticed our pants getting tight because we couldn’t stop nibbling on it, but I think our collective household willpower has significantly improved (fingers crossed!) Having this all ready to go and simply having to pop it into the microwave on chilly mornings is truly a lifesaver!!

8. Skinny Frothy White Hot Chocolate—I’m not the hugest fan of hot chocolate (it kinda hurts my stomach) nor do I really like white chocolate, but this combo is fabulous and light and I really, really want some RIGHT NOW!!! It is seriously frigid outside!!!

9. Baked Chocolate Pudding Cakes with Vanilla Whipped Cream—a warm, gooey, chocolatey portion-controlled dessert sounds like the absolutely perfect ending to a cold winter night and who can say no to a dollop (or two) of vanilla whipped cream?!! This could be a great Valentine’s treat…just sayin’.

10. Farina Pudding “Pappchen”—this was my Grammie’s specialty—it’s creamy, light and full of lemony, farina goodness. She generally served it cold for dessert, topped with raspberries in syrup, but I like it better hot without any topping for breakfast. It’s so simple and brings back so many happy memories for me. If you’ve never tried farina pudding before I urge you to give this a go!

AND

These Brown Sugar Pecan Shortbread—I had to include a cookie, guys! They’re one of the very first things I blogged here, over 6 years ago. Don’t let the awful photo dissuade you—they are simply wonderful with a cup of tea or coffee!!

What are you making to keep warm? I’d love to know!!