If you were to look outside you would probably notice everyone cozied up in warm clothes. However, hoodies and sweatpants are not the only thing out there to keep you warm, providing you that warm, fuzzy feeling you desire. You can cook some tasty recipes that will ensure you with warmth the cold air will not bring! 

Mac-and-Cheese–A creamy and tasty dish!

Ingredients

2 Tablespoons salted butter

2 Tablespoons all-purpose flour

½ teaspoon sea salt

¼ teaspoon garlic powder (optional but recommended)

1 cup whole milk

¼ cup sour cream or Greek yogurt

8 ounces shredded cheddar cheese (2 cups)

Instructions

Cook elbow macaroni according to package instructions. Be sure to add ¼ tsp salt to the water used to boil the noodles. Drain, and set aside.

Mix flour, sea salt, and garlic powder together in a small bowl. Set aside.

In a medium saucepan over medium heat, melt the butter.

Add flour mixture and whisk to combine.

Cook for 1 minute until mixture is slightly brown.

Add 1 cup milk and whisk until the mixture is smooth.

Add sour cream (or Greek yogurt) and whisk until smooth.

Cook on medium-high heat until the mixture is thickened (about 3-5 minutes). Do not let it boil.

Once the mixture is thick (sticks to the back of the spatula), reduce heat to low and add cheese. Whisk until the cheese is melted and the mixture is smooth. Taste and add more salt/seasoning if desired.

Add cooked pasta to the pot of cheese sauce and stir until the sauce is evenly distributed.

Let the mac and cheese cool for 3-5 minutes or until the cheese sauce has thickened a little bit and sticks to the noodles. Serve warm!

Hot Chocolate–A drink to sure warm you up!

Ingredients

4 cups milk (preferably whole or 2%)

¼ cup unsweetened cocoa powder

¼ cup granulated sugar

½ cup bittersweet or semisweet chocolate chips or chopped chocolate bar

¼ teaspoon pure vanilla extract

Instructions

Place milk, cocoa powder and sugar in a small saucepan. 

Heat over medium/medium-low heat, whisking frequently, until warm (but not boiling).

Add chocolate chips and whisk constantly until the chocolate chips melt and distribute evenly into the milk. 

Whisk in vanilla extract and a pinch of salt (if desired), serve immediately. 

Chicken Noodle Soup–A delicious classic!

Ingredients

1/2 Tablespoon butter

2 ribs of diced celery

3-4 large diced carrots

1 minced garlic clove 

10 cups chicken stock or broth

1 teaspoon salt

½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

1/8 teaspoon dried rosemary

1/8 teaspoon dried thyme

1/8 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes

1 batch homemade egg noodles, or 4 cups dry egg noodles, farfalle or other bite-size pasta

3 cups rotisserie chicken

1 teaspoon better than bouillon chicken flavor, (or more, as needed), or chicken bouillon granules

Instructions

Add butter, diced celery and carrots to a large stock pot over medium-high heat. Saute for 3 minutes. Add garlic and cook for another 30 seconds. 

Add chicken stock and season the broth with rosemary, thyme, crushed red pepper, and salt and pepper. Taste and add a spoonful of “better than bullion” chicken or chicken bouillon cubes or granules as needed.

Bring broth to a boil. Add noodles (either uncooked homemade egg noodles, or dry store-bought pasta) and cook just until noodles are al dente. 

If using store-bought noodles, be cautious not to overcook them! Remove pot from heat as soon as they are just barely tender. The noodles will continue to cook once you remove the pot from the heat, and you don’t want them mushy. 

Add chicken meat from the rotisserie chicken. Taste the broth again and add more seasonings, if needed.

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 4-5 days, depending on the freshness of the chicken you used.