Winter is the perfect time to spend some quality time with yourself and family along with some warm and comforting food. It is also the season of holidays and festivals that gives us the opportunity to indulge into delectable dishes like Christmas cakes and variety of cocktails. But during winter, it is very important to have nutritious meals in order to keep the seasonal illness away.
Most of us really focus on eating warm and comforting foods, keeping the nutrition point aside. But it is necessary to build immunity during this season to fight against diseases like cold and cough. Unfortunately, it is not easy to control our cravings. But do not worry, there are tonnes of delicious and comforting winter dishes that not only keep you warm but also improves immunity of the body.
Here are three delectable recipes to make your winter healthier and cozy. These recipes will not only keep a check on the nutrition but are also easy to make:
1. Refreshing Fruit Salad
Ingredients:
- 1 large orange
- Honey as required
- White sugar for sweetening
- Few drops of vanilla extract
- Canned mandarin oranges as needed
- Grapes, strawberries, and blueberries for the base of the fruit salad
Method:
- In a medium cooking pot, add the water, orange juice, orange zest, sugar, honey, and vanilla extract.
- Bring to a boil and then reduce the heat to a simmer. Let it simmer for 10 to 15 minutes while stirring frequently.
- Set aside to cool. If desired, quarter your grapes and strawberries. Pour the syrup over and then add the fresh mint leaves.
How To Store: Store this fruit in an airtight container in your refrigerator. It will be good for 48 hrs after making.
2. Soy Almond Shake
Ingredients:
- 1 cup soy milk
- Nutrabay pure 100% soy protein isolate
- Almonds
- Nutrabay foods chocolate peanut butter
- 1 tbsp grounded flax seeds
Method:
- Mix plant-based soy protein powder with almond milk and flaxseeds.
- Blend it well until the required consistency is achieved. And serve.
3. Vegan Lasagna
Ingredients:
- 16 lasagna sheets
- 1 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
- 1 large onion & 4 cloves garlic (crushed & minced)
- 700gm vegan meatless meat mince
- 700 gm tomatoes
- 170gm tomato paste
- 2 tsp oregano (or basil)
- 1 tsp red pepper flakes
- 3 cups vegetable stock
- Salt and ground pepper to taste
- 2 packets of katharos vegan mozzarella (shredded)
Method:
- If using regular lasagna sheets, cook them in salted boiling water until al dente but not mushy.
- Make the meat sauce by heating the oil in a large saucepan. Add the onions and garlic.
- Sauté, until they soften, about five minutes.
- Add the "meat" mince and sauté for a couple of minutes. Add the tomato paste and mix in.
- Put the tomatoes in a bowl and squish them to break with your fingers.
- Add to the saucepan along with 3 cups of vegetable stock.
- Stir well, bring to a boil, and add the oregano, red pepper flakes, salt, and ground black pepper to taste.
- Stir and let the sauce cook for about 15 minutes or until it turns a bright red. Turn off the heat and check to season. Set aside.
- Preheat oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Assemble the lasagna by spraying a 12 X 9-inch lasagna pan with cooking spray or oil. Ladle out a small amount of sauce into the pan and spread.
- Layer four sheets of pasta into the bottom of the pan.
- Layer one-fourth of the meat sauce over the lasagna sheets.
- Layer on one-fourth of the vegan mozzarella.
- Repeat until you have built up three layers of the meat sauce and the cheese.
- Over the fourth and final layer, layer the remaining meat sauce and mozzarella.
- Cover tightly with aluminium foil, place the lasagna pan on a rimmed baking sheet, and bake in the oven for 30 minutes.
- After 30 minutes, remove the aluminium foil and bake another 30 minutes until bubbly and hot.
- Let the lasagna stand for at least 15 minutes to firm up, then cut and serve.
Make these recipes and have a warm and healthy winter.