Cooking and eating is a sensory experience this time of year, thanks to delicious and vibrant produce, savory herbs, and warm spices. In fall and winter, our minds travel back to the seasonal meals and snacks we’ve enjoyed over time, usually a mix of new and traditional family recipes. We always have room for experimental dishes, and our favorites taste better every year. Is it love, good company, or wholesome ingredients that make these meals so satisfying? We say, all the above!
Not only do seasonal foods delight the senses and bring comfort as the weather turns colder, but many of them also provide nutrients that help support overall health. Here, we’ll share the foods that fill our kitchen and let you in on the delicious benefits to eating well this season. Cooks know, a recipe is only as good as the quality of ingredients on hand. And we do like to be prepared…
ESSENTIAL INGREDIENTS FOR WHOLESOME COOKING
Hearty greens grow well in cool weather, and kale and collards are especially resilient. We could use that kind of drive to carry us through to spring! With all hearty greens, we count on antioxidants, plus fiber to balance digestion and help reinforce the microbiome. Kale and collards offer protein in addition to vitamins A, K, B6 and C, calcium, and potassium. They can be eaten steamed, braised, sautéed, or raw – in any case, it’s simple to remove the center rib with a good kitchen knife and get rolling on lunch and snack options.
Collard Wraps with Butternut Squash
There’s a trick to rolling the perfect collard wrap, but all that really matters is how good it tastes. Get a little practice with this colorful and nutritious lunch recipe packed with winter veggies and an incredible sauce made with Nancy’s Organic 100% Grass-Fed Yogurt.
Pies have always been a thing at our house, especially around the holidays! We like to include the best seasonal produce, and this hand-held recipe made with Nancy’s Organic Cream Cheese lets us have our pick of late fall and winter themed ingredients.
All kinds of roots, bulbs, and rhizomes grow snugly underground this time of year, so naturally, we’re cooking more carrots, potatoes, garlic, and ginger. With these guys, we’re in for more vitamins A and C, some good fiber, and a variety of minerals, not to mention anti-inflammatory agents. All the nutrients in winter veggies work well alongside probiotic foods to balance digestion and support immune function. And we can’t have a holiday meal without savory mashed potatoes! Something cool and refreshing is also nice to restore the senses the morning after a hearty meal. So, come wintertime, these easy recipes are always on hand:
Rosemary Sour Cream Mashed Potatoes
Our dinner table fills up quickly, but there’s always room for extra mashed potatoes! With Nancy’s Organic Sour Cream and fresh rosemary, this rich and flavorful recipe is a much-loved holiday standard.
Immunity Boosting Smoothie with Carrot, Ginger and Turmeric
This fresh smoothie is sort of like a slice of carrot cake – it’s seasonally spiced and naturally sweet. Key difference: this sipper soothes with ginger and turmeric while supporting immunity with billions of live probiotics from Nancy’s Whole Milk Yogurt.
ALL TOGETHER NOW
No kitchen should be without the staple ingredients that bring seasonal foods together, like good olive oil, vinegars, and of course, yogurt! These essentials are more than just the secret in the sauce, they have beneficial properties of their own. We’ll take all the antioxidants we can get, and high-quality olive oil is another great source. When slowly fermented, olive oil’s best buddy, apple cider vinegar (with “the mother”) contains micronutrients and healthy bacteria, too.
Without question, the broad range of beneficial strains in Nancy’s products are nourishing year-round. Right now, it’s helping us carry out holiday plans with vital energy and resilience by giving our bodies billions of live probiotics with every serving. Here are a couple more recipes to round out and finish any seasonal meal:
Sheet Pan Roasted Veggies and Lemon Herb Dressing
Who needs a serving dish? This show stopping sheet pan of roasted roots is tossed with baby spinach and dressed in a creamy vinaigrette made with Nancy’s Organic 100% Grass-Fed Yogurt. Go on, get in there!
Olive Oil Cake with Grass-Fed Yogurt and Citrus
This classic olive oil cake made with Nancy’s Organic 100% Grass-Fed yogurt has a thin, sweet crust that ruffles over the top for some delightful texture. We garnished ours with candied slices of seasonal citrus.
As ever, we’re incredibly grateful for family, friends, and the generous offering of winter produce that our local farms can grow and provide. As you prepare for the holidays and all the joy they bring, gather safely and be well! Here’s to delicious and nutritious traditions, old and new.
As always, live well, and in good health,
❤️ – The Kesey Family & all the folks at Springfield Creamery