Winter Meal Inspiration

Do you ever feel like you cook the same things over and over? I do! Occasionally, I need some meal-time inspiration.

Today's post is dedicated to helping us bring some new ideas to the table.

Winter Breakfast Ideas:

1. Oatmeal with frozen berries topped with milk and local honey - there's plenty of berries in our freezer at this time of year and we're always looking for creative ways to use them.
   

2. Greek yogurt with granola and home canned peaches - make a large batch of granola ahead, and you'll have a quick and easy breakfast for days when you're on the go.
   

3. Scrambled eggs sprinkled with thyme and served with hash browns - a dash of herbs can take your eggs from boring to wow!
   

4. Whole grain pancakes topped with yogurt and homemade jam - winter is a great time to eat up those delicious canned treats.
   

5. Cheddar and bacon omelet topped with sprouts and served with pumpernickel toast - sprouts are not only fresh and nutritious, but you can also grow them year-round right in your windowsill. My personal favorite are broccoli mix sprouts.

6. French toast with cinnamon and stewed berries - again with the frozen berries... I can't help myself.
   

7. Crab cake topped with eggs over easy and sprinkled with cheddar cheese - I save this for special occasions since it's a bit extravagant, but boy is it delicious!
   

Breakfast Beverages:

1. Caleb's go to on cold mornings is piping hot coffee with cream.
   

2. I've been enjoying a lovely Vanilla Chai Tea by Pukka. I like to add a touch of honey, maple syrup, or stevia to sweeten it.
   

3. Good old water. Yep, I know it's boring, but as I have learned, a glass of water starts the day off right. Spice it up with a squeeze of citrus or some berries.
   

4. Brewing homemade teas from herbs collected throughout the year is a must. It's so fun to smell summer in a steaming mug during the middle of winter.

Mix and match these ideas to make a breakfast that suits you best.

After the hard work of growing and preserving, now is the time to enjoy the fruit of your labor. Even if you don't preserve your own food, there is still benefit in eating seasonally and appreciating the different rhythms as the world around us changes.

Winter Lunch Ideas:

1. Butternut squash soup served with crusty bread - I always have tons of butternut squash tucked away at this time of year. What better way to use it than in soup?
   

2. Lunchmeat, cheese, and nuts served with an orange - this makes a nice light lunch and is easy to take on the go. Plus, citrus is in season, even if you do have to ship it from Florida. That counts right?
   

3. Leafy greens with maple toasted walnuts, cranberries, and feta - if you're lucky enough to have a cold frame, you can often grow greens well into the winter.
   

4. Tuna salad topped with fresh sprouts, served with carrot and celery sticks - you can also add a side of hummus as a dip for your crisp veggies.
   

5. Toasted bagel with cream cheese, turkey breast, and pickled vegetables - I like to use fermented sauerkraut for the probiotics.
   

6. Minestrone soup - You can't beat a hot cup of soup loaded with carrots, onions, and celery on a cold winter day.
   

7. To be completely honest, we eat a lot of leftovers for lunch. Like Grandma always said, "waste not want not."

Winter Snacks:

1. Roasted pumpkin seeds - pumpkins store very well and whenever I use one, I am sure to save the seeds to make this savory treat.
   

2. Trail Mix - you can easily get creative and make your own blend of trail mix. I like to add nuts, coconut, dried fruit, and semi-sweet chocolate chips.
   

3. Jerky - if Caleb or another family member is lucky enough to get a deer, we enjoy eating lots of jerky throughout winter.
   

4. Homemade granola bars - this is another great way to get creative with your snacks. I like to make no-bake bars with nuts, dates, and dried fruit.

Winter Dinner Ideas:

1. Beef stew - this is the perfect hardy meal. And bonus, you only need one pan. Turn on the oven, roast it low and slow, then taste the magic. It's also practical since it helps use up potatoes, carrots, and onions sitting in the cellar.
   

2. Spaghetti squash served with crusty bread and a side salad - red sauce or buttered, meatless or meat lovers, any way you make will be a hit.
   

3. Chicken Corn Soup - the secret to amazing chicken corn soup is homegrown corn. None of this canned section of Walmart crap! I typically use what is stored in my freezer but fresh works also. Finish it off by adding a touch of Old Bay to your soup. People will come from miles around to try a bowl.
   

4. Shepherd's pie - shepherd's pie is so versatile. You can use various meats and any combination of vegetables that make your tummy happy. I like to add cauliflower in with the mashed potatoes. It is scrumptious!
   

5. Pumpkin chili topped with sour cream and served with a side salad - there is a row of pumpkins sitting in my basement. Unfortunately, I got a little carried away growing pumpkins this year. The solution - pumpkin has been sneaking into lots of our dishes. Adding purred pumpkin to chili is a great way to sneak in some extra nutrients and it tastes great!
   

6. Potpie - at Caleb's request I've included potpie. I'm not talking flaky pie crust. I'm talking good old Pennsylvania Dutch potpie; complete with homemade noodles. It truly is comfort food! Potpie is another versatile recipe that you can make with ham, chicken, or beef. I've even heard of pea potpie (doesn't sound too appetizing to me, but to each their own). Serve it with steamed cabbage, salad, or veggie of your choice.
   

7. Salmon cakes served with home canned green beans and baked potatoes topped with sour cream and chives - Yum!
   

Winter Desserts:

1. Warm applesauce served with cinnamon and a pat of butter - truly the best way to eat applesauce!
   

2. Berry pies and cobblers - the perfect way to use the last of the frozen berries. Not only does it taste delicious, but it will make your house smell amazing!
   

3. Cinnamon and maple spiced nuts - make them ahead and enjoy snacking on them throughout the week.
   

4. Homemade bread with fruit preserves - warm bread and butter smeared with jam is 100% comfort food at its finest!

I hope you've found some meal-time inspiration from this post. Let me know your all-time favorite comfort food in the comments.

Thanks for reading,

Abby