The crisp chill has descended upon the city of angels, sending you reaching for an extra layer and craving comfort food to warm your body and soul. While Los Angeles winters are mild, the shorter days and cooler temps call for cozying up at home with a hearty, homemade meal. Forget the usual salad or smoothie – now is the time for rich, decadent dishes that stick to your ribs and lift your spirits. In this collection of winter recipes, you’ll find inspiration for soul-satisfying soups, stews, casseroles, and more that celebrate the season. Curl up on the couch with a warm bowl of tomato tortilla soup, tackle a pot of beef bourguignon for a dinner party, or whip up a pan of lasagna on the weekend. Chase away the winter blues and stay warm from the inside out with these delicious comfort food recipes made for LA nights. The chill may be on outside, but the warmth of winter’s fare will make you glad you’re indoors.
Warm Up With Hearty Winter Soups and Stews
Hearty Winter Soups
For a cozy night in, nothing beats a warm bowl of soup. Hearty winter soups like beef stew, chicken noodle, and vegetable beef are comforting and filling.
Beef stew is a classic winter warmer. Cubed beef, potatoes, carrots, and broth are simmered for hours until the meat is tender. Serve with a crusty bread to soak up the flavorful broth. Chicken noodle soup is a soothing choice when you’re feeling under the weather. Egg noodles and chunks of chicken simmer in a broth flavored with onions, garlic, celery and thyme.
Vegetable beef soup combines beef, barley, corn, green beans, tomatoes and zucchini in a broth rich with herbs like rosemary and oregano. The barley adds heartiness and texture. Any of these soups pair perfectly with a salad or bread for a complete, satisfying meal.
Satisfying Stews
For heartier fare, stews are a great option. Beef bourguignon, a French classic, features beef braised in red wine with mushrooms, pearl onions and bacon. Lamb stew melds chunks of lamb, potatoes, carrots and peas in a robust broth. Coq au vin stews chicken in wine with mushrooms, bacon and herbs.
Any of these stews can be made in a slow cooker for maximum convenience and flavor. Serve your stew with mashed potatoes, polenta, or crusty bread to soak up the flavorful sauce. A simple salad balances the richness. Stews and soups are the ultimate comfort on a chilly day. Stay cozy this winter with a warm, delicious bowl of homemade goodness.
Snuggle Up With Savory Winter Casseroles and Pot Pies
If the winter chill has you craving comfort food, cozy up with some savory casseroles and pot pies. These hearty, homemade dishes are perfect for a chilly Los Angeles evening.
Beef and Barley Casserole
Simmer chunks of beef, barley, mushrooms, and vegetables in a rich broth for a satisfying one-pot meal. Brown 1-2 pounds of beef chuck roast, then add to a Dutch oven with broth, barley, mushrooms, carrots, and peas. Cook until the beef and barley are tender, about 2-3 hours. This wholesome casserole freezes well for up to 3 months.
Chicken Pot Pie
A classic chicken pot pie always hits the spot. Sauté diced chicken, onions, carrots and celery, then stir into a creamy sauce with peas and herbs. Pour into pie crusts and top with a second crust, sealing the edges and cutting a few slits in the top to allow steam to escape. Bake at 400 F until the crust is golden brown, about 30-40 minutes.
Shepherd’s Pie
Ground beef or lamb, vegetables and gravy topped with mashed potatoes – comfort food at its finest. Cook the ground meat with onions, carrots and peas, then simmer in broth and season with rosemary and thyme. Spread into a casserole dish and top with mashed potatoes. Broil for a few minutes until the potatoes are lightly browned. Freeze any leftovers for up to 3 months.
With a mix of savory and sweet, these homemade dishes are perfect for a cozy night in. Your guests are sure to love the delicious aromas wafting from your kitchen. Stay warm this winter with satisfying comfort food from the heart.
Sip on Winter Warmth With Hot Beverage Recipes
To ward off the winter chill, cozy up with a mug of something warm and delicious. Here are a few hot drink recipes to try:
Hot Chocolate
Nothing beats a classic cup of hot chocolate on a cold day. Heat milk or a non-dairy milk alternative and whisk in chocolate of your choice – dark, milk or semi-sweet chocolate. For an extra special treat, top it off with whipped cream, marshmallows, crushed peppermint candy or chocolate shavings.
Chai Tea Latte
A chai tea latte combines spicy masala chai tea concentrate or tea bags with steamed milk for a creamy, warming drink. Brew a strong pot of masala chai tea, then combine one part tea to one part steamed milk. Sweeten to taste with a little honey and your chai tea latte is ready to enjoy. For an iced version in warmer weather, combine chilled chai tea concentrate and milk over ice.
Spiced Apple Cider
Nothing says winter more than a mug of hot spiced apple cider. Simmer together apple cider or juice, cinnamon sticks, whole cloves, orange peel and a touch of brown sugar. Strain out the spices or leave them in for an extra flavorful cider. A splash of rum or bourbon is optional for adults. This cozy cider also makes a great base for a warm toddy.
Golden Milk
Turmeric gives this creamy non-dairy milk drink a vibrant yellow hue and earthy, ginger-like flavor. Simmer turmeric, ginger, cinnamon, black pepper and maple syrup in coconut milk or other non-dairy milk. Strain if desired. Golden milk is touted for its anti-inflammatory benefits, but also makes a cozy drink for chilly nights.
Sipping on one of these warm winter drinks is sure to take the chill out of cold LA nights.
Bake Up Some Winter Comfort With Cakes, Cookies and Breads
Nothing beats the chill of winter like comforting cakes, cookies and breads baking in the oven. As the temperatures drop in LA, warm up your kitchen and home with some delicious baked goods.
Cakes
A classic yellow cake or chocolate cake always hits the spot. Bake a simple round cake or get creative with a Bundt pan for an impressive centerpiece. Top it off with buttercream or cream cheese frosting and seasonal berries or citrus for a bright pop of color.
For an easy one-bowl cake, whip up a spice cake or carrot cake. Flavored with warming spices like cinnamon, nutmeg and cloves, and studded with raisins or shredded carrots, these cakes are perfect for winter.
Cookies
There’s nothing quite like a batch of homemade cookies fresh from the oven. Sugar cookies, snickerdoodle cookies or classic chocolate chip cookies will fill your home with a heavenly aroma.
For a special treat, bake up pecan sandies, Mexican wedding cookies or lemon bars. Their buttery, crumbly texture and burst of flavor from nuts, citrus or spices make them ideal for cozy nights in.
Breads
Homemade bread is a comforting tradition. Try your hand at a simple white loaf, whole wheat bread or cinnamon raisin bread. Serve it warm with butter, jam, chili or your favorite soup.
For a sweet treat, whip up a batch of banana bread, zucchini bread or pumpkin bread. Their subtle spices and mix-ins give them a cake-like quality perfect for breakfast, brunch or an afternoon snack.
Baking up winter comfort food is a perfect activity for a chilly day in LA. Turn on some music, pour yourself a warm drink and enjoy making memories in the kitchen. Your friends and family are sure to appreciate the results!
Indulge in Sweet and Savory Pies to Chase the Winter Blues Away
To ward off the winter chill, there’s nothing quite like a warm, comforting meal. Indulge in sweet and savory pies, a classic comfort food perfect for a cozy night in.
Savory Pot Pies
A hearty pot pie filled with meat, vegetables and gravy is ideal for a winter meal. Chicken, beef or vegetable pot pies are easy to make and freeze well for meals throughout the season. Simply prepare the filling, pour into pie crusts and bake until the crust is golden brown. For an extra special treat, top individual pot pies with puff pastry crusts before baking.
Sweet Pies and Tarts
Satisfy your sweet tooth with homemade pies and tarts. Apple, pecan and pumpkin are fall and winter favorites, filled with seasonal ingredients. For an easy treat, make tarts in a muffin tin with a simple crust and filling. Berries, stone fruits and citrus also shine in the winter and pair well in pies and tarts.
A homemade pie can transform an ordinary evening into a special occasion. Keeping some frozen pie crusts and fillings on hand makes whipping up a pie simple. You can customize the recipes to your tastes by adding spices like cinnamon, nutmeg or vanilla, or mix in chocolate chips or nuts.
To complete your cozy winter meal, serve your pie with a scoop of ice cream, whipped cream or warm custard. A cup of warm cider, cocoa or coffee also pairs perfectly. Curl up on the couch with your comforting treat and your favorite movie or book for an ideal escape from the chill. The sweet and savory aromas of homemade pies will make any winter evening feel warm and bright.
If Cooking Is Not An Option, Consider Restaurants in Culver City
If cooking a full meal at home isn’t in the cards, there are plenty of restaurants seconds away from your luxury apartment.
For Comfort Food
Choose from gourmet burgers at HiHo Cheeseburger, fried chicken sandwiches at Birdie G’s, or BBQ ribs at Slab. On cold nights, warm up with ramen at Tatsu Ramen or a bowl of chili at Dog Haus. For a sweet treat, get doughnuts at DK’s Donuts or ice cream at Van Leeuwen.
Healthy Fare
For lighter, nutritious fare, there are salads at Sweetgreen or grain bowls at Cava. Get an acai bowl or smoothie at Erewhon Market or freshly-made juices at Pressed Juicery. For vegans and vegetarians, there are meatless tacos, nachos and quesadillas at Gracias Madre.
Conclusion
As the winter chill settles in across Los Angeles, take comfort in cozy home cooking. Whip up a batch of chili, soup, or stew and invite friends over to share in the warmth. Curl up on the couch with a mug of hot cocoa or cider and lose yourself in the aroma of cinnamon and spice wafting from the kitchen. Though the temperatures drop, our spirits don’t have to. Feed your body and soul with simple, satisfying dishes that evoke feelings of comfort and joy. Stay warm, stay cozy, and make the most of winter – one delicious bite at a time. The season of hibernation is upon us, but with meals like these to sustain you, you’ll weather any storm.
