4 Winter Warmup Recipes - Learning Liftoff

If it’s cold where you live now, chances are you’re trying to warm up on the outside by snuggling close to the fireplace or wrapping up in a fuzzy sweater. Bring your family in the kitchen and help them warm up on the inside with these cold weather recipes. Be sure to involve your kids in the making of these dishes for an innovative learning experience.

Vegetable Pot Pies With Sweet Potato Biscuits

Vegetarians will love these hearty vegetable pot pies with sweet potato biscuits, but the carnivores of the group won’t miss the meat. A rich variety of vegetables and herbs teaches kids how to gain proper nutrition without consuming meat.

Kids will enjoy perching the sweet potato biscuits on top of the pot pies. This recipe enhances the rich flavors of cauliflower, parsnips, and Brussels sprouts. The precise quantities mean kids can learn the importance of measurements. Since this recipe takes nearly two hours to make, plan to prepare it during holiday breaks or on weekends when you have more time to spend in the kitchen.

Garden Lasagna

There’s something about Italian food that warms the heart and soul, and this garden lasagna is no exception. Again, this recipe is a bit time-consuming. The dish takes 30 minutes to prepare and an hour to bake. However, the result is well worth the effort.

If you grew a backyard garden this year or have frozen vegetables that you purchased at the farmer’s market over the summer, this is the perfect recipe to use that produce. Talk to kids about the growing process for all of these vegetables. If you didn’t grow a garden this year, plan next year’s garden by talking through what it will take to grow the corn, zucchini, carrots, and onions you need for this meal.

Maple Glazed Chicken

If you’re like most people, time during the week is at a premium. Serve up a dish of winter warmth with maple glazed chicken. This recipe combines the sweetness of apples and maple syrup with the bitterness of vinegar.

Teach kids how to plan meals by having them come up with a side item or dessert to accompany this dish. Through this exercise, they can learn how to make a balanced meal. Budding culinary geniuses will also learn how to combine flavors to make an excellent meal.

Après-Ski Soup

Sometimes you just want a hearty soup, and you want it fast. Après-Ski soup fits both descriptions. Ready in about 30 minutes, this soup combines acorn squash, leeks, zucchini, and more to create a filling main dish. The name “Après-Ski” comes from the French phrase meaning “after ski.” Kids can learn about food names and types across the world. Challenge them to find a French-themed bread, dessert, or salad, and open up a discussion on French culture.

Learning in the kitchen is fun, and your kids can learn about a variety of subjects by helping you prepare these recipes.

Image Credit – Enric Martinez / CC by 2.0