Cold weather can easily ruin the vibe of what was supposed to be a relaxing getaway. Make the most of your trip and feed your soul with these 5 hearty comfort meal recipes.
Comfort food has a unique ability to ground us and bring back those feelings of nostalgia and ease, making it the perfect remedy for cold-weather blues. From juicy pot roasts to hearty pastas and decadent desserts, these dishes have a way of providing a cozy embrace on gloomy days. Here are five go-to meals you can easily make to lift your spirits when the chilly weather weighs you down.
Pot Roast
Pot roasts are a warm and hearty dish consisting of a juicy beef chuck slow-cooked with potatoes and vegetables in a mouth-watering, soul-soothing beef broth. Billy’s pot roast recipe involves seasoning the beef cut with fresh ground pepper and searing each side until golden brown to retain its flavourful juices.
The cut is then placed aside, allowing you to sauté the leeks, garlic, and onions in dry wine and the leftover juices. The rounded tart and savoury broth is achieved by mixing in beef stock, more dry wine, bay leaves, thyme, and parsley with salt and pepper to taste. Once the broth is ready, place the beef back into the pot and place it in the oven to reach a flavorful, slow-cooked tenderness that is sure to brighten up the cloudiest days.
Chicken Pasta Bake
Pasta bakes have a refreshing way of bringing you back to the sun-filled afternoons on the patio and reminding you that grey skies don’t last forever. Nagi provides a quick and simple guide for making a delicious chicken pasta bake to lift you out of your climate-induced funk.
This dish combines any short pasta, such as macaroni, rigatoni, penne, and shells, with chicken and bacon in a rich tomato-based wine sauce seasoned with garlic, onions, chili flakes, and oregano. The pasta and sauce are placed into a casserole dish, topped with a layer of cheese, and baked to a bubbly, golden brown.
Braised Lamb Shanks with Caponata
This recipe nourishes the spirit with a rich, tender lamb shank paired with a well-balanced caponata, a sweet and savoury eggplant-based vegetable mix. The vegetables are gently simmered over a long period to bring out natural sweetness.
Briny notes from the olives and the earthy essence of rosemary enhance the sweet and savoury features of the lamb and vegetables, making it a flavorsome experience for easing the soul.
Instant Pot Asian Chicken Noodle Soup
Nothing beats the cold weather blues like a savoury chicken noodle soup. Tiffy’s recipe uses an Instant Pot to pressure cook the chicken to a melt-in-the-mouth tenderness. The Instant Pot method is ideal for combining all the flavors as one unified dish.
The flavours that really pop out primarily stem from the chicken broth, sesame oil, ginger, and garlic, which are perfectly complemented by the subtle essence of chicken and green onion.
Fudge Brownies
For those who find comfort in sweets, this fudge brownie recipe aims to lift the spirits with a little sugar rush.
This brownie mix includes cocoa, vanilla extract, and espresso powder for the perfect bold, sweet treat. The crackly tops are achieved by whisking the eggs for an extended period, giving it a nice crispy top layer with the decadent fudgy insides just waiting to burst out.
Final Thoughts
Unexpected cold weather can quickly ruin the mood of your vacation. When gloomy days get you down, getting cozy with and trying new comfort foods is never a bad choice. Comfort food has a way of soothing our souls and giving us an experience that lifts us out of a climate-induced funk. If you need ideas for what foods to make, try one of the recipes above!
By Amey MyersAmey, an intrepid traveler and avid blogger, roams the world, absorbing diverse cultures, flavors, and experiences. Her writing captures the essence of her adventures, inspiring others to explore. Amey's infectious passion for travel and storytelling epitomizes a life filled with exploration and adventure.
