Staying Indoors with Tasty International Winter Recipes

Winter is officially here in Arizona! Get ready to bundle up in your most comfiest of jackets and coziest of sweaters! As we quickly approach the winter holidays, sometimes the warmth of our clothes isn’t enough to satiate the emptiness in our hearts…or our bellies; and what better way to fill up those spaces with none other than tasty winter meals that you can share with the rest of the family? These warm recipes are perfect for keeping you comfy and cozy in the warmth of your own home and having the rest of the family huddle around the dinner table or kitchen, ready to eat to their hearts’ content! However, we’ll be taking a different spin in this article and look at meals from all over the world because what’s more universal than the love for food and family? So, let’s take a slice and dive into these six recipes!

Pho: Starting with the east, let’s look at one of Vietnam’s most popular dishes. Similar to soup, Pho is a Vietnamese dish that mainly includes rice noodles and a side of protein like beef, chicken, or shrimp, along with other spices such as ginger, coriander, cinnamon, and more! This recipe does include shrimp and fish, so if you plan on making this, please be aware of these ingredients and use the appropriate substitutes needed if you can! Additionally, here’s a vegan version of the recipe for people leaning into the vegetarian or vegan dietary preferences!

Malfouf: Moving a bit further west into the Middle East, we have a Lebanese dish. While in this specific recipe they are made as cabbage rolls, Malfouf can also made as a salad as well! Containing shredded cabbage, lemon juice, olive oil, fresh herbs, and occasionally a side of protein such as beef or pork (though not needed), this dish is perfect for a healthy side with your main entrée.

Jamaican-Style Beef Stew: While Jamaica is famously known for its lush and relaxing scenery, it also has a culture rich with history-and a strong culture means yummy food in my books! While also having protein like beef, the stew includes a variety of fruits and vegetables such as carrots, potatoes, tomatoes, and green onions, making it an all-round very healthy and tasty dish to share with your loved ones for the winter!

Chana Masala: One might say I may be biased since I am an Indian, but this vegetarian dish is my personal favorite out of any recipe I have ever tried! A healthy combination of chickpeas, protein that is plant-based and vegetables such as peas and potatoes, and, of course, delicious spices, this meal will is a literal blessing to your taste buds as it melts in your mouth with a spoonful of warm, home-cooked rice or additional breads to accompany it.

Tres Leches Flan: Of course, every holiday dinner can’t go without dessert! You can’t go wrong with this Mexican flan, made of rich caramel custard, ready to melt in your mouth! It doesn’t take too long to make-just pop it in the oven for at least an hour, let it cool overnight in the fridge, and it’s ready to be served!

Karkanji: Finally, a beverage in case you want to add a bit more diversity to your taste buds when it comes to the drinks department. A traditional and local drink from Chad, it’s known to be a “spicy” tea made from hibiscus flowers and leaves, cinnamon, ginger, and sugar or honey for sweetness. It’s a more natural beverage if you are concerned about too much sugar or other ingredients commonly found in beverages sold by big companies, and it can be served to both children and adults!

While we celebrate the meaning of family and gratitude this month, and look forward to next year, it’s important to recognize and appreciate the fact that many families and friends around the world this year are also celebrating the winter holidays and have their own traditions that deserve to be acknowledged and upheld. While many of us know the Western Winter Holiday traditions, it’s important that we also celebrate other international traditions, and we can start this trend with the most common love of all: food.

Photo credits in order

Featured Image: “Hate Baking? Try Our 10 Easy No-Bake Dessert Recipes” by Kitchen Stories

Image #1: “How To Make Chana Masala” by HerZindagi

Image #2: “Flan” by Cooking Classy