Contrary to popular belief, comfort foods do not need to mean quitting your healthy diet. There are many healthy comfort food recipes that are just as satisfying as a bowl of mac n' cheese. Here are three of our favorite healthy comfort food recipes that you're going to find yourself craving for the rest of the winter:
Easy Vegetarian Chili
6-8 Servings
Ingredients
2 large 28oz cans of whole tomatoes and their juice (use your hands to roughly crush the tomatoes)
2 can of beans, drained and rinsed
2 cup of corn
3 stalks of celery, diced
2 peppers, diced (I used 1 red and 1 yellow pepper)
2 carrots, diced
1 large onion, diced
4 cloves of garlic, finely minced
2 tablespoons of cumin
1 teaspoon oregano
1-3 tablespoons chili powder (more will be spicier)
¼-2 teaspoons of chili flakes (the more chili flakes the spicier it will be)
2 tablespoons oil
Salt to taste
Optional: ¼ cup prawn stock (you won't taste it specifically but it will add richness to the dish)
Optional toppings: cilantro, diced avocados or green onion.
Directions
Heat oil in a large pot over medium-high heat. Add onion and sauté for about 3 minutes. Add garlic and sauté 1 minute more. Add spices and cook stirring for about 30 seconds.
Add peppers, carrots and celery and cook for about 5 minutes, or until they just start to soften. Add tomatoes and their juice and bring to a simmer. Once the chili begins to simmer, reduce the heat to medium-low. You want the chili to be at a low simmer with the lid off.
Continue to cook the chili, stirring occasionally, for 20 minutes. Add beans and corn and let the chili return to a simmer. Cook for 5 more minutes or until the corn and beans have heated through.
Generously salt to taste.
Serve on its own or topped with one (or all!) of the delicious toppings.
Banana Nut Oatmeal
1 Serving
Ingredients
1/2 cup old-fashioned rolled oats
1 cup water
1 banana, sliced
1 tablespoon chopped walnuts
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
Directions
1. Combine oats and 1 cup water in a small microwave-safe bowl. Microwave on high 3 minutes.
2. Top with banana slices, walnuts, and cinnamon.
Courtesy of Health.com
5-Ingredient Black Bean Soup
2-4 Servings
Ingredients
3 (15 oz) cans black beans, with liquid
1 lb. (about 2.5 cups) good-quality salsa, homemade or store-bought
1/2 cup chopped fresh cilantro, loosely packed
2 tsp. ground cumin
1 clove garlic, minced
Directions
- Stir all ingredients together in a medium saucepan. Heat over medium-high heat until simmering. Reduce heat to medium-low, cover and simmer for at least 10 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Serve soup warm topped with additional fresh cilantro as garnish.
