6 Cooking Tips For The Cozy Season

The cozy season is upon us once again. As the weather gets cooler and the days get shorter, there’s nothing better than curling up inside with a warm, comforting meal. When it’s cold and dark outside, a delicious home-cooked meal can instantly make you feel warm. The key is choosing recipes that are easy to make but still full of flavor. 

With the right recipes and simple ingredients, you can create a satisfying meal without spending hours in the kitchen. Read on for tips and tricks to make your cozy season as delicious and relaxing as possible.

1. Choose Ingredients Wisely

The foundation of an easy, cozy meal is choosing ingredients that pack a lot of warmth and comfort and are in season. Hearty roasted vegetables like carrots, parsnips, Brussels sprouts, and sweet potatoes are perfect for this time of the year. They bring a richness and sweetness that pairs perfectly with cool weather. 

Other great ingredients include beans, lentils, and whole grains like farro, quinoa, and brown rice. These healthy pantry staples add protein, fiber, and substance. Slow-cooked meats like chicken, beef stew meat, and pork shoulder also make regular appearances in easy, cozy season cooking. 

2. Instant Pot Magic

The Instant Pot has emerged as a busy home cook’s secret weapon, and for good reason. It serves as a pressure cooker, slow cooker, and more, all in one convenient appliance. Instant Pot recipes save significant time off dishes that would normally take hours. 

You can make delicious soups, stews, chilies, pot roasts, and more in a fraction of the time. This Instant Pot Texas Chili is an easy, crowd-pleasing Instant Pot recipe perfect for the cozy season that you need to try. Other recipes you can make in your Instant Pot include mac and cheese, chicken noodle soup, pot roast, chocolate cobbler, and so much more!

3. Elevate with Seasonings

While the seasonal ingredients do a lot of the work in winter recipes, seasonings are what really take them to the next level. Warm spices like cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, and allspice add a distinct autumnal flair. Herbs like rosemary, thyme, and sage are also perfect for both summer and winter. Don’t be afraid to add a dash more garlic powder, salt, and pepper to really make the flavors pop. Umami-rich ingredients like soy sauce, balsamic vinegar, Worcestershire sauce, and tomato paste also pack a flavor punch. 

With the right blend of seasonings, even simple comfort food classics become truly crave-worthy.

4. Satisfying Sides

Every cozy season meal needs a few sides to round it out. Mashed potatoes, sweet potatoes, roasted root vegetables, and wild rice or quinoa are all excellent choices. They soak up the delicious sauces and juices from your main dish while providing extra nutrition. Don’t forget a loaf of crusty bread – the perfect vehicle for soaking up every last bit of flavor. You can also keep sides easy by incorporating frozen veggies. Just roast them up with a little olive oil and seasoning for an easy side.

5. Don’t Skip Dessert

While you may think dessert doesn’t quite fit into the easy meal plan, there are plenty of ways to sneak in something sweet without much effort. Dishes like apple crisp, pumpkin bread, and fruit crumbles come together quickly and give you that little hit of sweetness. You can also transform classic desserts into cozy treats like cake baked in a mug or no-bake cookie dough. Simple shortcuts like a scoop of ice cream, store-bought cookies, or a square of chocolate can also do the trick without turning on the oven.

6. One-Pot Wonders

In addition to the Instant Pot, one-pot meals are a busy home cook’s best friend during the cozy season. Dishes like pot pies, casseroles, and skillet dinners come together easily and fill your kitchen with the best aromas. Some delicious options include:

● Shepherd’s pie: Ground beef, vegetables, and mashed potato topping baked to perfection

● Chicken pot pie: Flaky crust filled with chicken, carrots, peas, and celery in a creamy sauce

● Skillet lasagna: All the flavors of lasagna without the fussy assembly

● Mac and cheese casserole: The ultimate comfort food, loaded up with cheese, pasta, and crunchy topping

One-pot meals mean you just need to toss everything in, let it bake, and then enjoy it without a pile of dishes.

Conclusion

With the right mix of easy recipes, ingredients, appliances, and a few key seasoning tricks, you can make your cozy season way more relaxing. Focus on hearty one-pot meals, flavorful roasted veggies, and tender slow-cooked meats for meals that practically cook themselves. With less time spent in the kitchen, you’ll have more time to lounge, unwind, and enjoy the simple pleasures of the season. So get cooking, get cozy, and savor all the comforts that food can bring as the days get cooler.

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