Everything is more or less back to normal. There are no more vacation days where everyone is home. Yet it's still cold. Everyone needs a hot dinner to come home to. This is where hearty and quick come in.
A hot dinner is a comforting relief when everyone comes home from a full day of school and work. Yet there's always not enough time to create a full meal. This is where frozen food and shortcuts come in handy. Take advance of your frozen food section. Frozen lasagna comes in handy and it can be heated up quickly in the microwave. There are two types. the red with meat and the white ,usually with veggies. Lidl has both and both are great for an enjoyable hot supper. Stouffer's is the classic that everyone grew up on and it doesn't;t disappoint. ut;s still meaty and saucy. For a more authentic taste then buy Rao's which comes format eh restaurant of the same name. Have hot rolls and butter along with a simple tomato and lettuce salad as sides. Chili is another hearty and quick meal that just requires a few opened cans and a crockpot. This also can be made with it's to red, depending on taste. The white is usually made with turkey or chicken while the red is almost always made with beef pork or even plant based meat. Add a few beans such as kidney and red for a tasty spoonful. Tomato sauce is always needed for the red. You can add a can of fire roasted tomatoes too.
An easy hot stew can be rustled up in a few minutes thanks to a crockpot. Pick your meat. Toss in a few veggies along with broth and spicings and in a few hours you have a great ,hot meal with leftovers that can be heated up for the next day. A beef one is especially rib sticking.Use a good cut such as sirloin or brisket cut into cubes. Sliced Yukon potatoes are a great addition because they thicken the sauce. Carrots and peas add not only color but nutrition and flavor too.As for flavoring a dash of garlic powder does a lot but you can also add a chopped white onion, first sauteed in butter and oil. Again a simple salad is a great side and have warmed up slices of sourdough bread for dipping into your bowls. Chicken stew is an easy make .It's the same as the beef except you add some chicken stock.If you want a thicker stew then make a slurry of cornstarch and water. Add some homemade dumplings which is a simple mix of flour, baking powder, milk and butter.The dough is added to the top of the stew where it' bakes over the bubbling stew.The dumplings are ready when a toothpick is inserted and comes out clean. This stew doesn't;t need bread or rolls but consider a salad on the side.
Hearty and quick are the requirements for January dinners. They provide nutrition and flavor while keeping stomachs filled and bodies warmed. They are perfect for these chilly nights ahead.
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