Winter — a Great Time for R&D in the Kitchen

Admit it. During the winter months with its early darkness, chilly temperatures and snowy forecasts, you find yourself in the kitchen more than less. Isn’t it funny how this time of year we immediately start thinking of dinner when darkness hits — even if it’s only 5 o’clock in the afternoon? 

Since you are in “food mode” more these days, why not do a little research & development and try out some new recipes. That way once the weather does turn nice, you can add variety and ease to your repertoire and simultaneously wile away the winter doldrums. (Plus, you get to reap the rewards with a home cooked meal!)

Where to look? Some of the best recipes we’ve found are from magazines we’ve browsed while waiting in doctor’s and dentist’s offices. Southern Living, Gourmet, Food & Wine and Better Homes & Gardens, to name a few, always seem to showcase something worth trying. The internet, of course, can bring up multiple web sites devoted to foodies with a click of a button. Epicurious.com, allrecipes.com and cooks.com are wondrous sources for instant information.  Some sites even have a search that allows you to type in specific ingredients and will then bring up recipes with what you have on hand.

Finally, the library has rows and rows of cook books on every food imaginable. A quick web search prior to arriving will tell you which cook books made the best seller’s list, and some, like amazon.com, show ratings and comments from everyday people that might share some additional insight. Spend a quiet afternoon thumbing the pages, and we’re sure you’ll find some new recipe to try.

It might also be helpful to peruse your grocery store’s circular to see what’s on sale and incorporate the sale items into a meal. A recent sale on root vegetables such as turnips, parsnips and rutabagas, inspired us to try a “winter root vegetable puree” — topped with shredded Gruyere and baked to a perfect golden brown. Another sale on short ribs produced a delicious braising method we had never tried. As you wield your way down the aisles, keep an open mind and take note of sale items, and try something new.

With winter almost half over, enjoy these last few months of hibernation in the kitchen, and cook to your heart’s delight. Once Spring arrives, we’ll head outdoors, too, but for now, there’s no other place we’d rather be!