Hearty Recipes To Make On Subzero Days

The U.S. was hit by record-breaking subzero temperatures on Monday, Jan. 6. According to The Weather Channel, the country is facing some of the coldest temperatures it has seen in decades. Between cold fronts and wind chills, many Americans are living with double-digit negatives. As a result, people are stuck at home, trying to keep warm. As a student of an online cooking school, your first thought on a freezing day might be what you’ll cook for dinner. Choose some hearty meals to prepare this week to keep you fed and functioning.

Chili
Chili is one of those meals that sticks to the bone. It’s the perfect dish to make during extreme weather, as the spicy ingredients will warm you up. Choose your favorite recipe, whether you prefer it mild or hot, and then mix it up a bit. For example, you can pour your chili over spaghetti noodles to get some extra carbs to insulate you from the cold. Serve sour cream on the side as an optional way to balance the heat of the dish.

Macaroni and cheese
Macaroni and cheese is a comfort food classic that’s a great winter dish. Either make it stove top with a homemade roux or bake it to create a cheesy crust. You can try something new by adding vegetables in an acorn squash macaroni and cheese recipe. Roast and puree the squash, then add it to the cheese sauce.

Stew
Break out the crock pot or Dutch oven and prepare a hearty stew. Include your favorite protein along with root vegetables such as carrots, parsnips or potatoes. You can serve stew on its own or poured on top of a starch, including pasta or rice. You may also enjoy dipping bread in the stock.

Cobbler
Don’t forget about dessert on cold days. Cobbler is a warm, delicious option for a winter treat and can be made with your favorite fruit. Make a caramel sauce to drizzle over a peach cobbler or a chocolate sauce to turn cherry cobbler into a black forest delight. You can serve this dessert as is or a la mode, depending on how cold it is inside your house.

Affogato
Warm up with delicious affogato​-style ice cream after your meal. Make your favorite gelato recipe and pour a shot of espresso over the top (affogato translates to “drowned”). Pistachio, vanilla, amaretto, caramel and chocolate all taste great affogato. Include extra toppings such as crushed nuts or chocolate shavings.