Ah, good old winter.
The time of year when we slip into cozy clothes, turn on the TV, and snuggle in front of the fire to beat the cold and enjoy the quiet.
Winter diets aren’t often lauded as the most *healthy*... but we disagree. There’s a boatload of tasty AND healthy recipes out there that’ll get you excited to cook in the kitchen.
Stew (not to be confused with soup) is a staple in pretty much every world cuisine. There’s Irish beef stew, Swedish lamb stew, and Brazilian fish stew. There’s slow cooker stew, stovetop stew, and grandma’s secret recipe stew.
With its one-pot function and hearty helpings, it’s a favorite for a reason; stew feeds a crowd and fills you up.
As the temperatures dip and you find yourself wondering what to make that’ll warm up the kitchen, Google “stew” and get to cookin’.
Here are a few that caught our eye, if you need some inspiration:
Beef Stew
Beef Stew is simple but delicious. It’s no surprise that the French, Irish, and pretty much every other culture have taken beef stew and made it their own. If you’re new to the stew game, start with a classic, Old-Fashioned Beef Stew from Molly O’Neill and the New York Times. Earthy, easy to make, and filling, this stew is winter’s BFF.
#TheStew
Stew isn’t just a cookbook staple, it’s also capable of being a viral sensation (we don't make the rules).
Alison Roman (of Dining In and Nothing Fancy) is known for giving the hungry Internet what it wants. In the wintertime, that’s her famous #TheStew.
Spicy, nutty, and full of flavor, this stew a delicious reason to spend a bit of time in the kitchen.
To make it alongside the master herself, watch Alison make it here.
Massor Dal Tadka
Got a pantry full of unused spices and some leftover lentils?
This Indian stew might be right up your alley. Dal (also spelled daal or dahl) is both an ingredient and a dish - it means dried or split pea/lentil.
This recipe comes from The Curious Chickpea, a blog that specializes in extremely tasty vegan food. Whether you’re eating vegan or not, this stew Masoor Dal Tadka could be the perfect weeknight winter meal for you.
Stash The Gumbo
If you’ve ever been to Louisiana or down south, it will come as no surprise that a gumbo recipe made this list.
Spicy, rich, and fun to make, gumbo comes from Creole and cajun cuisine, and is a thick stew that usually features meat and SPICY seasonings.
Depending on where you are in the world, gumbo can take different forms, but this recipe brings together chicken, shrimp and sausage for one lip lickin’ combo.
Chicken Stew
Last but not least is a stew twist on a dish you may have eaten as a kid: chicken pot pie! Baked in the oven, as opposed to on the stovetop, this Chicken Stew with Biscuits from Ina Garten (aka The Barefoot Contessa), is creamy and perfect for a winter dinner party.
It comes topped with biscuits, so no drop goes uneaten.
When the snow starts to fall, we think it’s best to cook up something that reminds you of childhood and feeds your soul.
Happy eating!