Friendship at Home’s Favorite Winter Meals

 

There’s no better time to get together with family and enjoy a hot meal than during the snowy winter months. Here are some of our team’s favorite meals for an icy evening at home.

Maple-Roasted Chicken Thighs with Sweet Potato Wedges and Brussels sprouts 

Originally posted on Eatingwell.com, this recipe is as easy as it is delicious. It brings together many winter favorites into a single dish that is healthy and nutritious.

 

Ingredients

1 pound Brussels sprouts, trimmed and halved

Nonstick cooking spray

4 bone-in chicken thighs, skinned

3 tablespoons snipped dried cranberries

3 tablespoons chopped pecans, toasted

1 pound of Sweet Potatoes, cut in wedges

Thyme

 

Directions

Preheat oven to 425 degrees. In a small bowl combine maple syrup, oil, thyme, of the salt and pepper

In a large bowl, combine sweet potatoes and Brussels sprouts

Drizzle with the remaining oil and sprinkle with the remaining salt and pepper; toss to coat

Line a 15 x 10-inch baking pan with foil

Heat the prepared pan in oven 5 minutes

Remove pan from oven and coat with cooking spray

Arrange chicken, meaty sides down, in center of pan

Arrange vegetables around chicken

Roast 15 minutes

Turn chicken and vegetables; brush with maple syrup mixture

Roast 15 minutes more or until chicken is done (at least 175 degrees) and potatoes are tender

Serve topped with pecans and cranberries

Tomato Bisque

Originally from the Food Network, this creamy tomato bisque is both savory and satisfying.

 

Ingredients

4 tablespoons unsalted butter

1 tablespoon minced bacon (about 1/2 ounce)

1 Spanish onion, chopped

1 carrot, chopped

1 stalk celery, chopped

4 cloves garlic, minced

5 tablespoons all-purpose flour

5 cups chicken broth, homemade or low-sodium canned

1 (28-ounce) can whole, peeled tomatoes (with liquid), roughly chopped

3 parsley sprigs

3 fresh thyme sprigs

1 bay leaf

1 cup heavy cream

1 3/4 teaspoon kosher salt

Freshly ground black pepper

Directions

Heat the butter in a large soup pot over medium-high heat

Add the bacon and cook, stirring, until crisp and most of the fat has rendered, about 1 minute

Using a slotted spoon, transfer the bacon to a paper towel-lined plate and set aside

Lower the heat to medium, add the onion, carrots, celery, and garlic and cook, covered, stirring occasionally, until soft and fragrant, about 8 minutes

Stir in the flour and cook, stirring, for 3 minutes

Pour in the broth and tomatoes and bring to a boil while whisking constantly

Tie the parsley sprigs, thyme, and bay leaf together with a piece of kitchen twine and add to the pot

Lower the heat and simmer for 30 minutes. Remove from the heat and allow to cool

When the soup base is cool, remove and discard the herb bundle

Working in batches, transfer the mixture to a blender and puree until smooth. Using a sieve over a large bowl, strain the tomato puree

Return the puree to the pot and reheat over medium heat

Whisk the heavy cream and salt into the soup and season with pepper to taste

Divide among warm soup bowls, garnish with the crispy bacon, and serve immediately.

Broccoli Chicken Casserole Recipe

This delicious dish only takes 15 minutes to prepare but will leave your family raving about it until long after it’s gone. It was originally published on the Food Network by Trisha Yearwood.

Ingredients

1 package (6 ounces) chicken stuffing mix

2 cups cubed cooked chicken

1 cup frozen broccoli florets, thawed

1 can (10-3/4 ounces) condensed broccoli cheese soup, undiluted

1 cup shredded cheddar cheese

 

 

Directions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees

Prepare stuffing mix according to package directions, using 1-1/2 cups water

In large bowl, combine chicken, broccoli and soup; transfer to a greased 11×7-in. baking dish

Top with stuffing; sprinkle with cheese. Bake, covered, 20 minutes. Uncover; bake 10-15 minutes longer or until heated through.

Freeze option: Transfer individual portions of cooled casserole to freezer containers; freeze

To use, partially thaw in refrigerator overnight

Transfer to a microwave-safe dish and microwave, covered, on high until a thermometer inserted in center reads 165 degrees, stirring occasionally and adding a little broth if necessary