In the chilly embrace of winter, Bon App\u00e9tit editors turn to an array of comforting dishes that promise warmth and culinary delight. This month's selections showcase recipes designed for ease, flavor, and the sheer joy of a satisfying meal, whether it's a quick weeknight dinner, a dish to share with friends, or a clever way to repurpose ingredients. From a lentil salad that deepens in flavor over time to a rich butter paneer and hearty pasta dishes, these recipes are curated to make the colder days feel a little cozier.
Hearty and Flavorful Winter Staples
As the days grow shorter and the air crisper, the quest for nourishing and easy-to-prepare meals becomes paramount. Bon App\u00e9tit's culinary team shares their go-to recipes, emphasizing dishes that not only provide comfort but also offer convenience. These include a lentil salad celebrated for its evolving taste, a decadent butter paneer that promises a sparkling-clean plate, and two pasta dishes featuring Brussels sprouts and mushrooms, each designed to bring warmth and robust flavors to the table. These editor-approved choices highlight the joy of cooking and sharing delicious food even on the busiest of days.
Sarah Jampel's "Just-Keeps-Getting-Better Lentil Salad" is a standout, combining kale with warm French lentils that absorb the savory dressing as they cool. Infused with garlic-olive oil, lemon peel, scallions, cumin, and red pepper flakes, this salad deepens in flavor with each passing day. Another favorite is the "Baked Butter Paneer," a recipe from Meera Sodha's cookbook. Cubes of salty paneer are coated in Greek yogurt, aromatics, and lemon juice, then baked and simmered in a robust sauce of canned tomatoes and spices like Kashmiri chile powder and garam masala. A finish of heavy cream, kasoori methi, and butter creates a creamy, rich curry best enjoyed with warm garlic naan. For pasta lovers, Kendra Vaculin's "Brussels Sprout Pasta" offers a comforting blend of buttery walnuts, tender yet crisp Brussels sprouts, and Italian sausage, perfect for chasing away winter's chill. Finally, Chris Morocco's "Pasta With Creamy Mushroom Rag\u00f9" delivers a slow-cooked flavor in a fraction of the time, with cremini mushrooms, onions, garlic, and tomato paste creating a rich, umami-packed sauce, enhanced by larger shiitake pieces for added texture and a zingy black pepper finish.
Effortless Culinary Creations for Cozy Evenings
The highlighted recipes from Bon App\u00e9tit editors focus on creating deeply satisfying meals with minimal effort, perfectly suited for the winter season. These dishes are not only simple to prepare but are also designed to deliver maximum flavor and comfort, making them ideal for unwinding after a long day or for casual entertaining. The emphasis is on fresh ingredients, clever techniques, and the magic of flavors that deepen and meld, promising a delightful culinary experience without the fuss.
The culinary journey begins with Sarah Jampel's ingenious lentil salad, a dish that truly lives up to its name by improving with each passing day. This makes it an excellent choice for meal prepping, ensuring delicious and wholesome lunches throughout the week. The recipe ingeniously uses warm French lentils to absorb a fragrant dressing, enriched with olive oil infused with garlic, lemon peel, and scallions, and brightened by cumin seeds and red pepper flakes, resulting in a complex and aromatic profile. Next, the baked butter paneer recipe offers a rich, creamy, and spicy experience. It transforms simple paneer into a luxurious curry, benefiting from a coating of Greek yogurt and spices before baking, then melding into a robust sauce with tomatoes, Kashmiri chile, and garam masala. The addition of heavy cream and butter at the end creates an incredibly smooth texture, perfect for scooping up with naan. For those seeking pasta perfection, Kendra Vaculin's Brussels sprout pasta is a revelation, combining nutty brown butter, crunchy pecans, and savory Italian sausage with perfectly cooked Brussels sprouts. This harmonious blend of textures and tastes delivers unparalleled comfort. Rounding out the selection is Chris Morocco's creamy mushroom rag\u00f9, a vegetarian marvel that tastes like it has simmered for hours but comes together quickly. Coarsely chopped cremini mushrooms form the base of a rich, umami-filled sauce with onions, garlic, and tomato paste, with shiitake mushrooms added for a meaty bite and black pepper for a lively finish.
