Meals to beat the winter blues

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Winter has truly settled in upon us hasn’t it?   This morning we had to clean up after an icy snow fell overnight.  The crew challenge this month was for ways to deal with the winter blues.   This could mean playing board games, or engaging minds in different pursuits, or taking up something you enjoy doing.   I happen to like making meals that my family likes so I figured that making meals to beat the winter blues fit ever so nicely.  🙂 

Ergo, some of the meals we’ve been enjoying this winter, I’d like to share with you.   Come along for some tasty eats! 

Meals made for the family

I made what I considered a super quick dish.  Some pasta with meatballs and mushrooms in a cream sauce.  Wow… that disappeared super quick!

I made a winter chicken bake that didn’t go over go over so well.  Not enough seasoning in it.  BUT the overabundance of veggies were turned into two different meals, and the chicken I fried up and put into salads.  🙂   So it all got used up and the lads were happy with my vegetable concoctions! 

I made a larger than expected pasta salad which I thought I would mostly enjoy but the lads devoured it over the course of two days.   Could I tell you what all was in it?  NOPE.  Grated carrot, random dried veggies, pasta, sauce, and I think I threw some raisins into it. 

We’ve continued to learn from other homeschoolers and thusly we have a weekly pizza night.  Sometimes store bought, other times homemade. 

I didn’t take as many pictures as I normally do this month of food.   It’s been a harder than expected month in many ways.  Other meals made:

• meatloaf
• zoodles casserole (made with heinz zoodles with ground beef, extra spices in it)
• Chili.  Served as is or on baguettes with grated cheese.
• A couple rice dishes with scramble fried ground beef and various veggies. Different every time. 
• Duck leg.  Turned out decent.  Will do again if can find on sale. 
• Soup, I love soup.  🙂 chicken, meatball, veggie.. it’s all very good. 

Desserts

I made two desserts this month.  I don’t make desserts often as they are high in calories and neither hubby or me need them.  The lad ADORES it as it means “more treats for me!”.   He makes me laugh.

I made a marvellous banana cream pie and ever so delicious lemon bars.  About half the lemon bars I shared to friends at the foodbank and elsewhere much to my lad’s chagrin. 

Just for Me

Sometimes I make meals just for me. 

Cranberry yogurt is one such meal.  It’s one of my favourite post-holiday dishes.  Makes a great breakfast or snack depending on the proportions used.   Generally I do a 1:2 ratio (more yogurt less cranberry sauce). 

I also love white rice fried with lemon juice, a touch of butter with a small onion and a can of tuna.    Just a wonderfully lovely meal.  My guys wrinkle their noses at me, but hey, makes me happy.  🙂 

Meals by the lad

My 15 year old lad has taken on the responsibility for Sunday meals.  It’s my day off and I want him to learn how to cook, ergo…he cooks.  

Over the past bit he’s made hotdogs, hamburgers, meatball soup, roast beef with mashed taters, baked turkey croquettes and cheesy chicken casserole.

The casserole turned out very tasty but on the watery side.  Upon investigation we learned he subsituted cream soup for chicken stock.  He now knows they are quite different. 🙂 

The croquettes are an excellent way to use up leftover turkey.  They were so good and the lad said “fussy to make, but easy”. 

How about you?  Did you make any food that helps drive the winter blues away?   Food that makes you feel all happy inside with memories or just good taste?   It’s a great thing to do eh?   Tell me your meals to beat the winter blues and maybe it will help me with the rest of winter!  🙂