Top 5 Recipes for January

Top 5 Recipes for January

January is perfect for hearty, comforting meals and dishes full of seasonal ingredients. Here are five recipes to try this month, complete with ingredients and instructions.

1. Hearty Winter Vegetable Soup

Packed with root vegetables, this soup is warming and nutrient-rich.

Ingredients:

• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1 onion, diced
• 2 carrots, peeled and chopped
• 2 celery stalks, chopped
• 2 potatoes, diced
• 1 parsnip, peeled and chopped
• 1.5 L vegetable broth
• 1 tsp dried thyme
• 1 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp black pepper

Instructions:

1. Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat.
2. Sauté onion, carrots, and celery for 5 minutes until softened.
3. Add potatoes, parsnips, broth, thyme, salt, and pepper.
4. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 25 minutes.
5. Blend half the soup for a creamier texture, or leave it chunky. Serve warm.

Get more ideas for winter soups.

2. Classic Beef Stew

Slow-cooked beef, potatoes, and vegetables make this a perfect hearty meal.

Ingredients:

• 500 g beef stew meat
• 2 tbsp flour
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1 onion, chopped
• 3 garlic cloves, minced
• 2 carrots, sliced
• 2 potatoes, diced
• 2 tbsp tomato paste
• 750 mL beef broth
• 1 tsp dried rosemary
• 1 bay leaf
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. Toss beef in flour, salt, and pepper. Brown in olive oil in a large pot. Remove and set aside.
2. In the same pot, sauté onion, garlic, and carrots for 5 minutes.
3. Add tomato paste and cook for 1 minute.
4. Return beef to the pot, add potatoes, broth, rosemary, and bay leaf.
5. Cover and simmer on low for 2 hours, stirring occasionally. Serve hot.

Try variations of this recipe.

3. Homemade Chicken Pot Pie

Flaky pastry and creamy chicken filling make this a crowd-pleaser.

Ingredients:

• 2 tbsp butter
• 1 onion, chopped
• 2 carrots, diced
• 2 celery stalks, diced
• 2 cups cooked chicken, shredded
• 3 tbsp flour
• 500 mL chicken broth
• 125 mL milk
• 1 sheet puff pastry, thawed
• 1 egg, beaten

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 200°C.
2. Sauté onion, carrots, and celery in butter for 5 minutes.
3. Stir in flour and cook for 1 minute. Slowly add broth and milk, stirring until thickened.
4. Mix in chicken and season with salt and pepper. Pour mixture into a pie dish.
5. Cover with puff pastry, trim edges, and brush with beaten egg. Cut small slits for ventilation.
6. Bake for 25-30 minutes until golden brown.

Discover other pie recipes.

4. Spaghetti Squash with Garlic and Parmesan

A healthier take on pasta night with in-season squash.

Ingredients:

• 1 spaghetti squash
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 3 garlic cloves, minced
• 50 g grated Parmesan cheese
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Fresh parsley for garnish

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 200°C. Cut squash in half lengthwise and scoop out seeds.
2. Brush with olive oil, season with salt, and bake cut-side down for 40 minutes.
3. Scrape squash with a fork to create strands.
4. In a skillet, sauté garlic in olive oil for 1 minute. Add squash strands and toss.
5. Mix in Parmesan, season with pepper, and garnish with parsley. Serve immediately.

More squash recipes here.

5. Apple Cinnamon Baked Oatmeal

A warm, sweet breakfast bake perfect for meal prep.

Ingredients:

• 200 g rolled oats
• 2 apples, diced
• 2 tsp cinnamon
• 1 tsp baking powder
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 500 mL milk
• 1 egg
• 2 tbsp honey
• 1 tsp vanilla extract

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 180°C and grease a baking dish.
2. Mix oats, apples, cinnamon, baking powder, and salt in a bowl.
3. In another bowl, whisk milk, egg, honey, and vanilla. Pour over oat mixture and combine.
4. Transfer to the baking dish and bake for 35-40 minutes. Let cool slightly before serving.

Find more oatmeal recipes here.