Dec 11th 2019

Once the days get shorter, the urge to hibernate and tuck into comfort food takes over. It can also coincide with a drop in energy levels that makes people search for easy options and takeaway. This selection of family-favorite dishes not only take minimal preparation but are also lighter on shopping and washing up. Check out some of these family-favorite dishes to serve at get togethers!

Chicken Soup

It might be chilly outside, but stay nice and warm all season long with this hearty soup. There's nothing more comforting than a steaming bowl of chicken noodle soup with a sprinkle of dill and parsley. Everyone will be slurping every last spoonful of this comforting dish.

Prepare 1 ½ quarts of homemade chicken stock, 3 carrots (cut into ⅛ inch-thick rounds), cooked chicken meat (shredded), chopped fresh dill, fresh flat-leaf parsley, egg noodles, salt and freshly ground black pepper. As a substitute for egg noodles, this soup also goes well with angel-hair pasta broken into short lengths or other pasta shapes. Cooked grains can also be substituted like rice or sorghum for a gluten-free option.

Shepherd’s Pie

A shepherd’s pie is essentially a casserole with a layer of cooked meat and vegetables, topped with creamy mashed potatoes and baked in the oven until the top is browned, additional cheese on top is also a popular option.

This meat pie is a family-favorite dish to prepare ahead of time. Make it the night before or the morning of, store it covered in the fridge, and then bake it when everybody's ready to eat!

Classic Lasagna

When winter strikes, everybody wants food that's rich and hearty. For example, a classic lasagna. It is a perfect choice for lunch or dinner during the cold season because it’s hearty, tasty, and very satisfying. Also, it’s a great way to feed a crowd and a perfect dish to serve at a get together.

Half the pleasure of making a lasagna is enjoying the leftovers! The lasagna will keep in the fridge for at least 5 days. Reheat individual slices in the microwave, or warm the whole pan (covered with foil) in the oven at 350°F until bubbly again. Lasagna freezes and reheats well. Leftovers will keep everyone happy for days!

Butternut Squash Baked Risotto

For Vegetarian or veggie-loving friends and family, there are plenty of hearty vegetable-rich dishes to serve. For example: a Butternut Squash Baked Risotto. This one-pot vegetarian meal is a rich, satisfying supper that gives you the creaminess of risotto without the hovering.

Butternut squash and kale cook along with delicious Arborio rice, making this risotto extra hearty and sweet. Just sauté the ingredients together for a few minutes and put it in the oven —unlike most risottos, there's no need to stand and stir!

Butter Cookies

No Christmas dessert table is complete without trays of cookies. They are a classic family-favorite dish for a reason — the buttery taste and the crisp texture pairs perfectly with a cup of tea. A perfect winter cookie companion is Danisa Butter Cookies. Made with a traditional butter cookie recipe passed down through generations of Denmark’s master bakers, Danisa Butter Cookies is a perfect companion for and a perfect gift for people you love, care for, and respect during the Christmas season. The richness of the butter and the perfectly balanced sweetness is just right to please people all over the world and loved by many.

Whether it’s for a family dinner or a gathering with some close friends, these delicious family-favorite dishes are perfect for those chilly winter nights.