So it’s cold outside once again, and all I want to do is curl up in front of the fire and eat something warm. We all have our winter weather favorites of soup or stew that warm us from the inside out on a cold day. However, there is a big difference between a homemade classic and some slop from a can.
My grandmother always had her favorites that she would make during the winter. It seemed like soups were the only thing that my father knew how to cook. Chili has always been my favorite, and I have had my own recipe since I was a teenager. In this article I am going to cover my family’s favorite cold weather soups and stews so you too can enjoy them.
Winter Weather Favorites:
Award Winning Chili
This recipe can be made with ground beef, ground venison, or even ground turkey. The key to the flavor is letting the beans cook long enough for them to break down. This adds a richness to the liquid that makes the chili irresistible.
Ingredients:
- 6 cans of beans (15 oz. cans) – I like to mix red beans, black beans, and white beans
- 2 large cans of tomatoes (30 oz. cans)
- 2 cans of corn (15 oz. cans)
- Chopped jalapenos to taste (5-15 oz.)
- Two large yellow onions
- 3 lbs. ground meat (beef, venison, or turkey)
- 2 tbsp. cilantro
- 4 tbsp. salt
- 3 tbsp. black pepper
- 4 tbsp. minced garlic
- 4 tbsp. chili powder
- Crushed red pepper to taste (1-3 tbs.)
- 1 beer of your choice
- 1 lime cut in half
Step 1 – Set the stove to medium-low heat and add the beans, tomatoes, corn, garlic, and onions
Mix thoroughly and let simmer for three to four hours or until the beans start to break down. The liquid will become thicker and will have a flavor that is richer. Be sure that the bottom of the pan does not scorch by stirring periodically and adjusting the stove temperature if needed.
Step 2 – Brown your ground meat, drain off any grease, and stir the meat into your pot.
Let it cook for another 30 minutes.
Step 3 – Add chili powder, black pepper, salt, cilantro, crushed red pepper, jalapeños, lime, and beer.
Stir and let it cook for one hour.
Step 4 – Taste and adjust seasoning as needed.
At this point the chili is ready to eat, but the flavor improves if it cooks longer. Cook for up to a total of eight hours.
Potato Soup
Ingredients:
- 6 medium sized potatoes, peeled and diced
- 3 pieces of celery, diced
- 1 medium yellow onion, chopped
- 1 tsp. salt
- 2 tbsp. butter
- 1 ½ cups water
- 2 hard-boiled eggs, chopped
- 1 tbsp. chopped parsley
- ½ lb. cooked bacon, chopped
- 3 cups whole milk
Step 1 – Add water, salt, and celery to a 3 qt. sauce pan.
Bring it to a boil over high heat and cook for 10 minutes.
Step 2 – Add potatoes and onion.
Boil for 10 more minutes.
Step 3 – Add the bacon along with any grease from the pan.
Also add butter, eggs, and milk. Do not drain any of the water out of the pan.
Step 4 – Turn the burner down to low and simmer for 10 more minutes.
Do not let the milk come to a boil. The soup is finished cooking when the potatoes are tender.
Oyster Stew
Ingredients:
- 1/2 cup butter
- 1 cup minced celery
- 3 tablespoons minced shallots
- 1 quart half-and-half cream
- 2 containers of oysters in liquid (12 oz. containers)
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- Cayenne to taste
Step 1 – Over medium heat, melt the butter in a large skillet.
Step 2 – Add your celery and shallots to the butter.
Cook until they become tender.
Step 3 – Pour the cream into a large pot over medium-high heat.
Add the contents from the pan. Stir continuously until the cream is about to boil.
Step 4 – Add your oysters along with the liquid.
Add your salt, pepper, and cayenne and stir to incorporate. Cook until the oysters start to curl at the ends.
Between these three recipes, there should be at least one that is perfect for anybody. Whether you like the creamy, briny flavor of oyster stew, the richness of potato soup, or the heat and heartiness of chili, these dishes should get you through the winter. This weekend pull out your large soup pot, set aside a few hours, and make that meal that will warm you up in even the nastiest weather.
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Did you try any of these winter weather favorites recipes? Let us know how they turned out in the comment section below!
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