Winter has settled in, bringing with it a desire for comforting and efficient meal solutions. Everything in January just seems to slow down. Our social calendars lighten, kids activities are fewer and we go into hibernation mode. I find myself fully embracing this mentality in early January, but come February or March, I'm tired of everything and just uninspired by the arsenal of winter meals we've been eating on rotation. To combat the winter meal planning slump, I'm here to inspire you with easy, healthy, and delicious recipes that won't demand hours of preparation on your Sunday. While I emphasize the advantages of meal prepping, the key is to strike a balance, avoiding the feeling of spending the entire weekend on grocery shopping and kitchen prep.

Plan Ahead for Ease:

Kickstart your week by dedicating some time to plan your meals. Take stock of the ingredients you have and curate a list of recipes that are both quick to prepare and require minimal cooking time. Opt for winter-friendly dishes like soups, stews, and casseroles that bring warmth without sacrificing nutrition. Explore online resources or dust off your favorite cookbooks for inspiration. I like to use a meal planner tool, to help me organize the coming week’s meals. Pinterest and my arsenal of favorite cookbooks are my biggest resources.

• Plan out your meals for the coming week. Pinterest is great for saving a wide variety and you can customize your boards by course.

• Write out your grocery list as you plan your meals. This way you won't have to backtrack later.

Utilize What You Have:

Simplify winter meal planning by utilizing existing ingredients in your pantry, fridge, and freezer. Explore the depths of your storage for canned goods, frozen veggies, and pantry staples that can be incorporated into your plan, minimizing waste and maximizing savings. For example, transform canned beans into a hearty chili or repurpose frozen veggies into a savory stir-fry.

• Save time by making large batches of things like shredded chicken to use in soups or chilis. This past week I had 2 recipes that called for cooked quinoa, I made it once and used it in two separate dinners - Quinoa Taco Salad and Spinach Quinoa Patties.

Repurpose Last Night's Comfort:

Give leftovers a new lease on life by transforming them into exciting dishes. Consider turning last night's hearty stew into a comforting pot pie or repurposing roasted vegetables into a flavorful winter frittata. Let your creativity shine as you reinvent and savor each meal.

• Turn last night's tacos, into tonight's taco salad, nachos, or taco bowl.

Embrace Casseroles and One-Pot Wonders:

Combat winter blues with the convenience of casseroles and one-pot wonders. These dishes require minimal prep, utilize fewer dishes, and streamline cleanup. Roast a medley of winter vegetables with your protein of choice on a sheet pan for a wholesome and flavorful meal. Alternatively, craft a one-pot pasta masterpiece by combining pasta, veggies, and protein in a single pot for an easy and satisfying dinner.

• Here's a few of my favorite roasted veggie, quick and easy dinners: Balsamic Roasted Veggies w/Pasta, Potatoes, Sausage & Peppers, Sheet Pan Shrimp Fajitas.

Warm Up with Hearty Soups:

Embrace the winter chill with hearty and comforting soups. Prepare big batches at the beginning of the week, portioning them out for quick and satisfying meals throughout. Soup varieties, such as chili, minestrone, or chicken noodle, offer a delightful balance of warmth and nourishment during the colder months.

Incorporate these strategies into your winter meal planning to beat the monotony and infuse your table with delightful flavors, ensuring that every winter meal is a source of comfort and inspiration. Enjoy!

All the best,

Lisa

xoxo