While the days begin to get longer and we wait for spring to approach, we all need a little pick-me-up to help us get through the remaining winter months, and what better than our favorite comfort foods? From sweet drinks to savory dishes, we’re here to help warm you up and forget all your troubles. We all have our own personal favorite foods to heal the gloominess that comes with the cold. We want to share a few of ours and give you some classics for years to come. We hope you enjoy our favorite wintertime recipes and we’re sure they will cure you of your seasonal depression. Stay warm and well-fed!

xo- Daniel and Louise

Spiced Hot Chocolate

Ingredients:

• 1 mug-full milk- preferably whole or 2%
• 2 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder or a few squares of your favorite dark chocolate bar
• 1 to 2 tablespoons sugar, depending on how sweet you want it
• 1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract 
• 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon 
• 1 pinch (or a few) of cayenne powder

Make the perfect drink for getting you through homework while it’s -4 degrees and pitch black outside at 4 pm! For the record- we rarely use actual measurements for this recipe, so most of it is really to taste. Add all of the ingredients to a small saucer. Heat on medium-low and whisk until everything is combined, making sure not to let it boil. Pour into your mug of choice and enjoy!

Pastina

Ingredients:

• 3-4 cups chicken or vegetable broth
• 1 1/2 cups pastina 
• 1/2 cup parmesan, plus more for topping
• 1 egg
• 1 tbsp butter 
• Freshly ground black pepper to taste

Despite recent controversial discontinuations, I was able to find the little star shaped pasta that defines comfort food at the Columbia Heights Target. In a small saucepan, simply heat the pastina and 3 cups of broth on medium-high for about 8 minutes or until al dente, stirring frequently. Once your desired firmness is achieved, remove from heat and immediately mix the parmesan, butter, egg, pepper, and any remaining broth if needed. Tip: mix very quickly so the egg does not cook in one place. Finally, serve and top with more parmesan. Enjoy!

Shepherds Pie

Ingredients:

Mashed Potatoes:

• 2.5 lbs russet potatoes cut into 1” cubes
• 1/2 cup butter
• 1/2 cup milk
• 1/3 cup sour cream
• 1/2 cup gruyere cheese
• Salt and pepper to taste

Filling

• 1 Tbsp butter
• 6 diced button mushrooms
• 1 medium yellow onion
• 1 large carrot diced
• 1 rib celery diced
• 4 cloves garlic thinly sliced
• 1.5 lbs ground beef or lamb
• 2 Tbsp tomato paste
• 2 Tbsp Worcestershire sauce
• 1 Tbsp fresh rosemary
• 1 Tbsp fresh thyme
• 1/2 cup red wine
• 1 cup chicken stock
• 1 cup frozen peas
• 1/2 cup parmesan, grated
• 1/2 cup gruyere, grated

Do not be intimidated by the many ingredients, the Shepards Pie is an easy-to-follow set of steps that will result in a delicious and rewarding end product. Boil potatoes in a pot for 7-8 minutes and drain. In a separate pan melt your butter and let simmer for 15 seconds with milk. Mash boiled potatoes; once roughly mashed, add milk and butter mixture and continue to mash. Add grated gruyere cheese, sour cream, and salt to taste. Bring a separate pan to medium-high heat with no oil. Flatten out the ground lamb in the pan and sear on one side for 2-3 minutes. Flip with a spatula and sear another side. Once the seared, break up the lamb with a wooden spoon. Continue to cook once most of the liquid has disappeared and set aside in a bowl. Add butter to the pan, once melted, cook mushrooms until slightly browned. Add carrots, onions, and celery, and cook for 2-3 minutes. Mix in tomato paste and let cook for another 3 minutes. Deglaze with wine and Worcestershire sauce. Add the lamb back to the pan and continue to cook. Once most of the liquid has evaporated, add in chicken stock and cook for 1 more minute. Take off of heat and assemble in a 9×13 dish. Add all of the filling, pressing it down compactly. Smooth on mashed potatoes overtop the filling and grate parmesan and gruyere. Bake for 20 minutes and finish under the broiler for 3 minutes for a crispy top. Serve with a spatula and enjoy!