Winter Recipes
While I am currently sitting in the 70 degree sun as I write this, it has actually been pretty chilly and rainy in California over the last month or so. And when the weather turns colder, I definitely shy away from my usual salads and begin to crave warmer meals. These are two recipes that I have had on repeat lately and are easy to prep and cook once and have for the entire week. Modify as you see fit and let me know how you make them your own!
Chicken Pot Pie Soup
I love chicken pot pie, but given its usual ingredients, I try to keep it to a once in a while treat. This soup has the creaminess of chicken pot pie and makes a healthy, filling lunch or dinner that will keep you cozy and warm on the coldest of days. You can add corn or peas to this recipe as well, or serve with bread if you want something more hearty.
Ingredients -
3 white sweet potatoes (can use regular potatoes or orange sweet potatoes, but your soup will be orange then)
2 bunches of carrots
1 celery bunch
2 yellow onions
Organic chicken breast
Chicken broth
Olive Oil
Garlic
Salt
Pepper
Rosemary
Parsley
Directions -
Slice potatoes and boil until soft. Set aside to cool.
Once cooled, add potatoes and some of their cooking water to blender and blend until smooth. Set aside.
Cook chicken breast, shred, and set aside.
Chop celery, carrots, and onions.
Add oil and garlic to pot.
Add onion, carrots, and celery and cook until soft.
Add sweet potato mixture, 2 cups of chicken broth, chicken, and seasoning.
Cover and let simmer.
Serve with parsley.
Spaghetti Squash with Meat Sauce
I love spaghetti squash and it is in season throughout the winter, so now is the time to pick one up. They are actually quite easy to cook and make a nice alternative to pasta. I like to make a simple meat sauce (you can use any kind of meat) with it. If you eat cheese, adding your favorite kind of cheese would go nicely as well.
Ingredients -
1 spaghetti squash
2 yellow onions
2 containers of diced tomatoes
Tomato paste
Organic grass-fed ground beef
Garlic
Olive Oil
Basil
Salt
Pepper
Directions -
Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
Cut spaghetti squash in half lengthwise. Remove seeds and ribbing.
Drizzle with olive oil and place open side down on baking sheet.
Use a fork to poke holes on the top of the squash.
Bake for approximately 40 minutes or until the squash is lightly browned on top (baking time will vary by the size of your squash)
Once cooled, use a fork to remove the strands of spaghetti squash.
While squash is cooking, cook meat and set aside.
Add olive oil and garlic to pot with onions.
Once onions are soft, add diced tomatoes, the can of tomato paste, cooked meat, salt, pepper, and basil.
Let simmer.
Serve spaghetti squash with sauce and enjoy!
