Inspire New Recipes for Winter 2020

In the Midwest, it's impossible to predict the winter weather season. Somedays you might receive a snowstorm, while other days the sun is shining and it feels like spring. It's a fickle time of the year. It could be so cold that it hurts to breathe outdoors, and then the next day it's warm. Mother Nature likes to play games with us, but that's winter for you. You can't live with it, but it would be difficult to live without the changing season.

I have been attempting new recipes this winter season. Instead of venturing outdoors on the cold, snowy days, I'm staying inside, where it's nice and toasty. I have indulged in foods I love: pasta, soup, sandwiches, and more.

Comfort food makes everything better. It heals you when you're sick, provides heat on chilly winter days, and it simply makes you happy. Everyone has foods they crave, especially when they're stuck indoors during a blizzard.

I invite you to try the food I have been craving this winter season. Take a chance with these comfort food recipes. Share them with your friends and family, and you might inspire them to also try the dishes.

Welcome to my kitchen. Bon appetite!

1. Open-faced Turkey Sandwich

Open-faced turkey sandwich.

My alma mater's student dining hall served open-faced turkey sandwiches, and it was one of the best meals available, especially on chilly winter evenings. It's soul-soothing comfort food at its finest. With warm sliced turkey and a delicious mushroom gravy over toasted bread, this unique sandwich will certainly satisfy your cravings this winter season.

This recipe is inspired by Kristi Carlson's Eat Like a Gilmore cookbook. Gilmore Girls is one of my favorite television shows of all time, and I'm happy to now be cooking (and eating!) like a Gilmore.

You will need the following ingredients for the mushroom gravy:

• 2 Tbsp. butter
• 2 Tbsp. flour
• 2 c. chicken broth 
• Sauteed mushrooms 

You will need the following ingredients for the turkey sandwich: 

• 2 Tbsp. butter, room temperature 
• 4 white bread slices
• 1 c. mushroom gravy (from above)
• 1/2 lb. deli turkey, sliced

To make the gravy, melt the butter in a saucepan over medium-high heat. Sprinkle in the flour and stir with a fork until fully combined. Continue to heat for approximately 30 seconds. Add the chicken broth and whisk until the flour-butter mixture is fully blended with the broth. After four or five minutes, the liquid will begin to thicken. You might need to add more flour and broth (experimenting) until you reach your desired consistency. Add in the sauteed mushrooms and stir. Reduce the heat to a low simmer. 

To make the sandwiches, heat a frying pan over medium-high heat. Spread 1/2 tablespoon of butter evenly on one side of each side of white bread. Once the frying pan is hot, place each slice of bread, butter side down, into the pan. Cook for about two minutes, or until the bread is golden brown and toasted on one side. Remove the bread from the pan and place the bread slices on a plate, toasted side down. 

Pour one cup of the mushroom gravy into the frying pan. Add the sliced turkey and coat the turkey with gravy as evenly as possible. Cook the turkey for about 90 seconds on each side. Remove the turkey from the pan and place the slices on top of the bread.

Ladle gravy onto each side of the bread. You may also serve mashed potatoes on top of the turkey and bread. Enjoy!

Open-faced turkey sandwich.

2. Sloppy Joes

Sloppy joes.

My family doesn't eat sloppy joes that often in the summer season. Instead, we eat grilled hamburgers. We typically reserve sloppy joes for the winter season when we need a warm, delicious and easy recipe. This is the perfect meal for a busy weeknight or when you need to get dinner on the table fast. You only need a few ingredients, but don't let that fool you. Some of the best recipes and most delicious meals only require a few ingredients. Sometimes, simple really is better. 

Don't be afraid to get sloppy and messy with this traditional family meal. You will need the following ingredients: 

• 2 lb. lean ground sirloin 
• 1 can original Manwich 
• 1/4 c. ketchup
• 1/4 c. light brown sugar
• 1/2 tsp. Worcestershire sauce 

In a large skillet, brown the ground sirloin. Drain off the excess fat. Add the original Manwich to the meat. Stir in the ketchup, brown sugar, and Worcestershire sauce. You may also add yellow mustard, onion powder, and paprika, depending on your preferences. Bring the pan to a boil, then reduce the heat and simmer for approximately 15 minutes until heated through. Place the sloppy meat on hamburger buns and serve with chips and pickles. Yum! Stay clean, my friends. 

3. Vegetable Tortellini Soup with Focaccia Bread 

Vegetable tortellini soup with focaccia bread.

It wouldn't be the winter season without featuring a soup recipe. Winter is the season to eat a steaming bowl of soup, especially if you're feeling under the weather. This recipe for vegetable tortellini soup is one of the easiest soup recipes you'll ever find. So, if you're in the mood for soup and you want something quick, don't go looking anywhere else. I've got you covered. The recipe is inspired by Ree Drummond, AKA The Pioneer Woman.

Pair this soup with focaccia bread. The yeast-based bread creates an impressive aroma. It's perfect for a home-cooked meal! This recipe is, again, inspired by Kristi Carlson's Eat Like a Gilmore cookbook.

You will need the following ingredients for the soup:

• 8 c. (2 quarts) beef broth 
• 6-ounce can tomato paste 
• 10-ounce package frozen mixed vegetables
• 9-ounce package fresh cheese tortellini 
• 1/2 c. milk (I used skim milk.) 
• 1/2 tsp. dried parsley flakes
• 1/2 tsp. dried basil 
• Salt and pepper, to taste

In a medium pot, bring the beef broth to a simmer over medium-high heat. Add the tomato paste and stir until well combined. It should look like a light tomato broth. Add the frozen vegetables and allow to simmer. 

Add the cheese tortellini and cook under tender (approximately three to five minutes). Add the milk and stir until nice and creamy. Add the parsley, basil, and salt and pepper to taste. Stir to combine. Serve immediately. Enjoy! It's just that easy! 

Vegetable tortellini soup.

To make the focaccia bread, you will need the following ingredients: 

• 2 Tbsp. olive oil, divided (You will need extra for brushing.) 
• 2 c. flour (You will need extra for kneading.) 
• 1 tsp. salt
• 1/2 tsp. sugar
• 1/4 tsp. black pepper 
• 1 Tbsp. active dry yeast 
• 3/4 c. warm water
• 2 Tbsp. finely grated Parmesan cheese
• 2 Tbsp. finely grated Romano cheese 

Preheat your oven to 450 degrees. In a medium-sized bowl, mix the flour, salt, sugar, black pepper, and yeast until well blended. Add the olive oil and warm water. Mix with a fork until a scraggly dough forms. Turn the dough out onto a floured work surface. Knead the dough until is it smoothed out. This will take about 30-40 turns.

Grease the inside of a large bowl and place the dough inside. Cover the bowl with a dish towel and allow the dough to rise for 30 minutes. Punch the dough down and let it rise for another 30 minutes.

Cover a cookie sheet with parchment paper. Place the dough in the center of the pan. Using your hands, shape the dough into a flat circle, about nine inches in diameter and 1 1/2-inches thick. Brush the top of the dough with olive oil. Sprinkle the cheeses evenly across the top. Bake for about 15-18 minutes, or until lightly golden brown. Remove from the oven and allow the bread to cool for five minutes. Cut and serve with a warm bowl of vegetable tortellini soup. Enjoy!

Focaccia bread.

4. Cheese Tortellini Pasta 

Cheese tortellini pasta.

You have already made tortellini soup, so why not continue to eat tortellini with a cheesy pasta dish? Tortellini has quickly become my favorite type of pasta, which probably explains why I have been enjoying it this season. This cheesy, creamy pasta is the perfect meal for a cold winter evening. It'll warm your senses while satisfying all of your hunger cravings.

NOTE: I used a jar of alfredo sauce for this recipe. If you're making dinner under a tight schedule, this is an easy way to prepare this dish. However, you may also make homemade alfredo sauce. I recommend checking out this recipe from Buns in My Oven to learn how to make alfredo sauce before starting this recipe.

To make cheese tortellini pasta, you will need the following ingredients:

• 1 jar (16-oz.) alfredo pasta sauce 
• 1 1/4 c. water 
• 1/4 tsp. black pepper, to taste
• 2 package (9-oz.) refrigerated cheese-filled tortellini
• 1/2 c. mozzarella cheese, shredded
• 3/4 c. spinach (optional) 

Cook the tortellini according to the directions on the package. Preheat your oven to 350 degrees. In a large bowl, combine the alfredo sauce, water, and black pepper. Mix well and stir in the cooked tortellini. Stir to combine. Spoon into a baking dish. Top with the mozzarella cheese and bake covered with foil in the oven for approximately 25 minutes or until bubbly and thoroughly heated. Place spinach on top and serve warm. Enjoy! 

Cheese tortellini pasta.

5. Polar Bear Hot Chocolate

Polar bear hot chocolate.

When I discovered this recipe (on Mom Endeavors), I knew I had to try it. Polar bears are my favorite animal, so if there is ever an occasion to incorporate them into my life, I happily participate. This hot chocolate recipe is FUN! 

Hot chocolate just isn't hot chocolate without marshmallows, especially for children. You can make your hot chocolate even more fun this winter season by turning the marshmallows into adorable polar bears. Kids (and adults!) will love this drink. 

You will need the following ingredients for your hot chocolate: 

• 4 c. milk (I used skim milk.)
• 3/4 tsp. vanilla extract 
• 1/3 c. hot water 
• 1/2 c. sugar 
• 1/4 c. Hershey's Cocoa 

Mix the sugar and cocoa in a medium saucepan. Stir in the water and bring to a boil over medium heat. Stir constantly. Boil and stir for approximately two minutes. 

Add the milk. Stir and heat until hot. Make sure the mixture does NOT boil. Remove from heat and add the vanilla. Beat with a whisk until foamy. 

You will need the following ingredients to make the polar bear marshmallows:

• 1 jumbo marshmallow
• 2 mini marshmallows
• 2 mini chocolate chips 
• 1 dark chocolate M&M 
• Melted white chocolate chips 

Polar bear hot chocolate.

Start with your jumbo marshmallow for the base of the polar bear. Melt a small number of white chocolate chips in the microwave. Dip one side of the mini marshmallows into the melted chocolate and place them on top of the jumbo marshmallow. The melted chocolate helps the marshmallows stick together. 

Stick two mini chocolate chips into the jumbo marshmallow, forming the polar bear's eyes. Put a small dab of the melted chocolate on the brown M&M (logo facing down), and place it on the jumbo marshmallow, forming the polar bear's mouth. 

Carefully place the polar bear marshmallow on top of the mug of hot chocolate. Add additional mini marshmallows to the top of the hot chocolate to support the polar bear. Isn't that cute? Enjoy! 

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It's fun to try something new every now and then. There are many options to choose from for the winter season. I know I'm not the only blogger inviting you into their kitchen, but maybe you'll be inspired to try these recipes. Maybe you'll love tortellini pasta just as much as I do. Or, you'll have fun with the polar bear hot chocolate. There's no better feeling than sitting down at your dining room table with a warm, steamy dish that will immediately warm your body and brighten your mood. 

Remember to prepare the dishes you love this season and that's all that matters. Enjoy! 

-KJL-