When you come in after a long day of sledding, playing in the snow, and laughing with friends and family, it doesn't take long for you to recognize that you're colder than you realized! Luckily, there are several foods and beverages that will make it possible for you to warm back up in a hurry.
Slow Cooker Favorites
If you know it's going to be a long day outside, preparing ahead of time can be a lifesaver! Put together a soup or stew in the slow cooker to help warm you up when you need it most.
Chicken and Rice Soup
Ingredients:
3 cans chicken stock
1 carrot, chopped small
1 stick of celery, chopped small
1/2 onion, chopped small
2 cups wild rice blend
1 can chicken
1 tsp salt
2 tsp basil
1 tsp pepper
1 clove of garlic, crushed
2 cups water
Place all ingredients in slow cooker and allow to cook on low for 6-8 hours or on high for 4. If you'd like to add a creamy base, add 1 cup milk shortly before serving.
Slow Cooker Mac and Cheese
After a long day of activity, it's okay to carb up and sit by the fire! Try this slow cooker mac and cheese when you need an extra dose of carb goodness to get through the rest of your day.
Ingredients:
3 cups shredded cheese--Colby and Chedder are both great choices, but you can use your favorite
3.5 cups of milk
1 package cream cheese
16 oz pasta of choice
Place milk, cheese, and cream cheese in your crock pot and allow it to simmer away while you play on the slopes. When you come back in, take 15 minutes to boil the pasta, then add it to the cheese mixture. This is the perfect treat to end a great day of sledding, especially for the kids. After all, good food is part of some of the best memories!
Warm Beverages
Sometimes, the best thing you can do when you come inside after a day on the slopes is wrap your hands around a mug of something warm. Try a few of these treats to find your favorite!
Hot Chocolate--the Right Way
Powdered hot chocolate mix is one thing. Hot chocolate done right, however, is made straight in the pot, not in the microwave.
Ingredients:
1 cup of heavy whipping cream
1 can sweetened condensed milk
8 cups milk
2 cups chocolate chips (milk or dark chocolate, depending on your preference)
1 tsp vanilla
Blend all these ingredients in your pot, stirring regularly until it's hot and all of the chocolate chips are melted. Do not allow to boil! Enjoy with your friends and family after a cold day outdoors.
Variation: White Chocolate Peppermint Hot Chocolate. Use white chocolate chips instead of chocolate and peppermint extract instead of vanilla. The perfect treat for a cold winter day!
Chocolate Peppermint Mocha
6 oz coffee of your choice
1/2 tsp peppermint extract
2 tbsp melted chocolate chips
Melt your chocolate chips together, then stir all the ingredients into your coffee. You'll get a smoother texture if you use an immersion blender.
Warm Vanilla Milk
Ingredients:
1 mug milk of choice
1 tablespoon of honey
1/2 tsp vanilla
marshmallows
If you're looking for a sweet treat with a little less sugar, this warm vanilla milk is the one for you! Simply combine all the ingredients except for the marshmallows in a pot over medium heat, stirring regularly. Add the marshmallows to put some sugar back in, or leave them out for a sweet treat that could just help put the kids to bed at night.
When your goal is to warm up after a cold day on the slopes, you need a warm, cozy meal or beverage that will get you warmed up and ready to roll out again tomorrow. These options are the perfect way to warm up, replace some of the energy you've spent, and recharge for another great day spent enjoying the great outdoors. After all, snow days don't come along nearly often enough!