Winter Recipes to Warm You Up

Now that we’re in the heart of the winter and currently getting pummeled with snow, it’s easy to imagine how amazing a bowl of chili, sweatpants and a Netflix-binge feels about now. We’re going to tackle one of those three things today – winter food! Below are three recipes that are easy to make, super healthy and perfect for beating the freezing cold. (Learn more from our registered dietitians!)

Turkey & Vegetable Chili with Avocado, Cheddar and Cilantro

When we think winter, we think bright, heavy and flavor-bursting chili. This one is sure to brighten your day no matter how much snow is falling. Recipe via Mealime.Ingredients:

• 2 avocados
• 2 sticks celery
• 8 oz block cheddar cheese
• 1 small bunch cilantro
• 2 (14.5 oz cans) diced tomatoes
• 6 cloves garlic
• 1.5 lb ground turkey
• 2 jalapeño peppers
• 1 lime
• 2 red bell peppers
• 1 med. yellow onion
• black pepper, chili powder, cumin, salt, coconut oil

Directions:

1. Peel and small dice onion; transfer to a medium bowl. Peel and mince garlic; add to bowl.
2. Wash bell peppers, celery and jalapeños. Seed and small dice bell peppers. Trim ends and small dice celery. Seed and mince jalapeños.
3. Heat a medium saucepan over medium-high heat.
4. Add oil to the saucepan and swirl to coat bottom. Add onion, garlic, bell pepper, celery and jalapeño. Cook, stirring frequently until vegetables have softened for 3-4 minutes.
5. Add ground turkey to the vegetables and cook, breaking apart with a spoon, until browned and crumbly, 3-4 minutes.
6. Add chili powder, cumin, salt and pepper; stir to combine.
7. Add tomatoes and stir to combine. Cook, stirring occasionally until chili is slightly reduced in volume, 8-10 minutes.
8. Wash and dry cilantro. Shave leaves off the stems; discard the stems and chop the leaves. Stir about ½ into the chili and save the rest for garnishing.
9. Halve and pit avocados. Scoop out the flesh and medium dice.
10. Grate 1 cup of cheddar.
11. Cut the lime into wedges.
12. Serve chili in a bowl and garnish with avocado, cheddar, cilantro and lime. Enjoy!

Prosciutto, Spinach and Cheddar Breakfast Egg Muffins

Wake up to sunshine when the sun isn’t even shining with this tasty breakfast muffins. They’re packed with protein to get your day off to a great start! Recipe via Mealime.Ingredients:

• 1 (5 oz) pkg baby spinach
• ½ (8 oz) block cheddar cheese
• 10 eggs
• 1 (4 oz) pkg or 8 slices prosciutto
• black pepper
• butter (unsalted)
• salt

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 400°F and position a rack near the bottom of the oven; grease 12 muffin cups with butter.
2. Chop the prosciutto into ½-inch pieces.
3. Preheat a skillet over medium heat.
4. Wash and chop the spinach. Add to the skillet and wilt for 1-2 minutes.
5. Divide the prosciutto and spinach between the greased muffin tins.
6. Crack the eggs into a medium bowl and season with salt and pepper; whisk together and pour on top of the prosciutto and spinach.
7. Coarsely grate the cheddar and add to the muffin tins.
8. Bake for 12-15 minutes, until eggs are no longer soft in the center. Remove from the oven and let cool for 1 minute. Use a spatula to wedge each egg muffin out of its cup.
9. Serve warm or cool for breakfast on the go. Enjoy!

Blueberry Crumble Smoothie with Oats, Almond Butter and Cinnamon

It's a morning smoothie, post-workout fuel or a bedtime snack: this smoothie is multi-functional, multi-nutrient and multi-flavor and even the perfect snack for those on the go or with rambunctious little ones at home. Recipe via Mealime.Ingredients:

• 8 fl oz almond milk, unsweetened
• 2 bananas
• 1.5 cup frozen blueberries
• ½ cup plain Greek yogurt
• cinnamon
• honey
• natural almond butter
• oats, quick-cooking

Directions:

1. Peel bananas, break into chunks and add to blender.
2. Add blueberries, yogurt, oats (uncooked), almond milk, almond butter, cinnamon and honey to the blender.
3. Blend on high speed for several minutes until smooth.
4. Pour the smoothie into glasses and enjoy!

Do you have any questions about healthy eating, meal planning or your short- and long-term nutrition goals? YWCA Minneapolis has you covered with our Nutrition Coaching services. Begin your path toward better health, higher energy and improved quality of life with our registered dietitians.Book a Nutrition Coaching Appointment