I love a good snow day. There is something about sitting inside by the fireplace, watching movies and looking out the window at the fresh blanket of snow that fills one with warmth.

My backyard is on a slight hill, so when I was younger my brother and I would don those oh so fashionable snow suits that make you look like the Yeti, grab our sleds and race down the hill. I hold those memories very dear to my heart. Of course, food can always help set the ambiance for the day, so here are some warm, comforting food recipes to try for when you are the lucky one who gets a snow day!

Chocolate Chip Cookies

This is a recipe from the Fannie Farmer Cookbook that my mom always used to use. There is nothing better than a warm, gooey chocolate chip cookie that warms the taste buds, and this recipe for sure does the trick.

Ingredients:

• ¼ pound butter
• ½ cup dark brown sugar
• ½ cup granulated sugar
• 1 egg
• ¾ tsp. vanilla
• 1 1/8 cup flour
• ½ tsp. salt
• ½ tsp. baking soda
• 1 cup semisweet chocolate chips

Directions:

• Preheat the oven to 375°F and grease some cookie sheets.
• Cream the butter, then gradually add the two sugars, beating until light and smooth.
• Beat in the egg and the vanilla.
• Mix the flour, salt, and baking soda together and add it to the first mixture, blending well. Stir in the chocolate chips.
• Drop by teaspoonfuls onto the cookie sheets about 1 inch apart and bake for 8-10 minutes or until lightly browned.

 

Turkey Chili

So, I love chili, but about ten years ago, I decided to stop eating beef and pork. However, I have found that ground turkey is an excellent substitute. This chili is delicious, and I usually opt to make a box of JIFFY cornbread mix and have that on the side.

Ingredients: 

• 1½ tsps. olive oil
• 1 pound ground turkey
• 1 onion, chopped
• 2 cups water
• 1 (28 ounce) can canned crushed tomatoes
• 1 (16 ounce) can canned kidney beans – drained, rinsed, and mashed
• 1 tsp. garlic, minced
• 2 tbsps. chili powder
• ½ tsp. paprika
• ½ tsp. dried oregano
• ½ tsp. ground cayenne pepper
• ½ tsp. ground cumin
• ½ tsp. salt
• ½ tsp. ground black pepper

Directions:

• Heat the oil in a large pot over medium heat. Place turkey in the pot, and cook until evenly brown. Stir in onion, and cook until tender.
• Pour water into the pot. Mix in tomatoes, kidney beans, and garlic. Season chili powder, paprika, oregano, cayenne pepper, cumin, salt, and pepper. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer 30 minutes.

 

Panera Mac and Cheese

This is the recipe that Panera posted for their mac and cheese a while back. My mom made it for me a little while ago, and I’ll tell you, it is fantastic. It is a way to have Panera mac and cheese in your pajamas! It also has a bit of kick to it that will warm you up!

Ingredients:

• 1 16-ounce Package package of rigati pasta
• ¼ cup butter
• ¼ cup all-purpose flour
• 2½ cup milk
• 6 Slices white American cheese, sliced into thin strips
• 8-ounce extra-sharp white Vermont cheddar, shredded
• ½ tsp. Dijon mustard
• 1 tsp. kosher salt
• ¼ tsp. hot sauce

Directions:

1. Prepare pasta according to package directions.
2. In large saucepan over low heat, melt butter. Whisk in flour and cook 1 minute, whisking constantly.
3. Gradually whisk in milk; cook over medium heat, whisking until mixture thickens and bubbles. Remove from heat.
4. Add cheeses, mustard, salt, and hot sauce, stirring until cheese melts and sauce is smooth.
5. Stir in pasta and cook over medium heat for 1 minute (or until thoroughly heated. Serve immediately.

I hope you enjoy these recipes while sitting in front of the fire on your snow day, Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow!