Winter Dinner Ideas

Winter is a great time to plan on dinners together as a family!  Days are shorter and many sports are on hold until warmer weather returns.  Having a hot meal together is a nice way to focus on family.

Slow cookers
Slow cooker meals, started when you leave at the beginning of the day and ready when you return, are a delicious and easy way to offer a hot and hearty meal to eat in the winter.  Slow cookers come in several sizes, so find one that is big enough for your family's needs, but not so big that you make more than you can eat. (Or divide up leftovers into smaller meals and freeze them for a quick meal that can be reheated in the microwave!)

Use lots of inexpensive winter vegetables or buy frozen veggies to add to the slow cooker.  Inexpensive cuts of meat like chuck, short ribs, round, shank, and rump are great in a slow cooker and become fork-tender by the time your meal is ready.  Save even more money by cutting your own meat into 1 inch cubes and using dried herbs for flavor and seasoning.

Soups
Soups, too, can be hearty, filling, and inexpensive.  Stews and chowders are usually great winter dinner ideas!  Look for recipes that include plenty of veggies; save money by not using meat and get your protein from lentils and beans.  Try this recipe for minestrone, a hearty vegetable soup with noodles that will please the whole family. 

One last note:  Vegetables in Winter

Don't let winter stop you from offering healthy veggies to your family.  While most veggies aren't in season in the winter, you'll find some that, like cauliflower, are available.  Or used canned and frozen veggies and don't forget canned tomatoes for winter flavor and health!

See more simple recipes at http://eatsmart.umd.edu/

Warm Winter Comfort Foods in Season

Cold weather is approaching.  Our bodies crave warm, hearty foods that make us feel warm from the inside out.  Below are some ways to enjoy quick and healthy food on a budget.

Budget
Eating healthy can be cheap. Try to use coupons.  Stock up on frozen vegetables or freeze your own fresh produce when there is a sale.  If choosing canned, rinse before use or choose no salt added.

Time
Healthy cooking can be easy.  Keep canned and frozen vegetables stocked to make a fast food meal at home.  The time it takes to bake fish and sweet potato fries is about the same as cooking a frozen pizza.

Healthy Choices
Light, summer foods such as salads and sandwiches become winter soups and stir fry. Choose filling foods high in fiber.  Limit red meat to 12 ounces per week and choose lean cuts.  Use half the amount of meat in a recipe or go meatless.  Beans are cheaper, higher in fiber, and a low fat option!

What's in Season?
Produce in season is cheaper and fresher.  In Maryland, broccoli, turnips, spinach and pumpkins, sweet potatoes, and greens such as kale and collards are in season now.

Want to try a new recipe this winter season?  This Sweet Potato Crockpot Chili is a great choice! 

Homemade Soup is as Easy as 1-2-3!

You can make a healthy one-pot meal in just a few steps.  Use the items you have on hand to prepare homemade soup in minutes.

Buy canned, low sodium soup stock and warm it on the stove.

1. Add frozen, canned, or leftover vegetables.
2. Add cooked whole grains such as pasta, barley or brown rice.
3. Add cooked lean protein such as beans, chicken, meat or fish.

Add fresh or dried herbs to soup for flavor without added fat or salt.  Some good ones to try to include:  black pepper, thyme, basil, parsley, and oregano.

Enjoy the flavors of the season with these recipes using fall fruits and vegetables: Black Bean and Apple - Parsnip Soup, Sweet Potato Chili, and Minestrone Soup.