What to Cook When It’s STILL Winter
March 20th may technically mark the start of spring, but step outside and it’s obvious that we’re not there yet. In much of the country, it’s still sweater weather, your windshield is frozen in the morning and the farmers’ market is mostly root vegetables and wishful thinking. But while we’re stuck in this seasonal limbo—knee-deep into peak comfort food, but too early for asparagus—we can at least cook accordingly.
These recipes are here to tide you over until warm weather is assured (and BBQ season begins). They’re cozy enough to keep you warm when the wind is biting but laced with enough green to remind you that, yes, spring will come. Think a comforting veg-studded stew, a broccoli salad that will make you rethink your relationship with the vegetable and hearty dishes that nod to the season ahead. Consider them the culinary equivalent of spotting those first brave leaves on the trees—hopeful, a little stubborn and exactly what you need right now.
1. HexClad Perfect Roast Chicken With Pine Nut & Currant Salad
A roast chicken is always a good idea, but this one especially shines in that awkward stretch between winter and spring. While we wait for tender lettuces to make their grand entrance, the bright, slightly bitter salad alongside this bird is a reminder that winter greens deserve their moment, too. Radicchio, endive and frisée—staples of cold-weather salads—get a boost from a toasty pine nut, shallot and currant vinaigrette. The result? A side that’s bold, balanced and equally at home on a weeknight table or at a weekend dinner party.
2. Creamy Kale and Ricotta Pasta
When you’re three months into winter but craving something green, this pasta delivers. Kale—bold, hearty and impossible to wilt into submission—gets blitzed into a vibrant pesto, while a creamy ricotta schmear underneath adds richness and contrast. The result? A two-sauce wonder that’s as silky as it is satisfying.
3. Spinach & Artichoke Dip with Pull-Apart Rolls
Peak comfort food season isn’t over yet, which means there’s still time for a bubbling spinach and artichoke dip. It’s got just enough greens to conjure spring, but make no mistake: It’s voluptuous cream cheese and mozzarella that steal the show. The pull-apart rolls, made from pizza dough, turn it into a full-fledged event. And if you’re looking for a way to make a cold Saturday afternoon feel productive, why not try making your own dough? It’s hands-on, satisfying and ends with warm, fluffy rolls. Hard to argue with that.
4. Japanese White Stew with Chicken & Vegetables
This stew is basically the season in a bowl: a soft, snowy blanket with just enough green to remind you that change is coming. The Japanese have mastered the art of comfort food, and this is a perfect example, with tender chicken thighs, hearty potatoes and earthy mushrooms swirled into a velvety, creamy broth. For best results, use homemade broth. It’s the difference between a good stew and one that practically hugs you back.
5. Lemony Parmesan & Chickpea Soup with Escarole
That head of escarole you impulse-bought? This is its moment. In this quick, endlessly customizable soup, it gets stirred into a garlicky, Parmesan-laced broth alongside chickpeas and crisp homemade croutons. Bright, savory and just rich enough, it’s the perfect way to bridge the gap between winter’s chill and spring’s first whispers.
6. Skillet Polenta with Sausage, Kale, Roasted Tomatoes & Eggs
Bacon and eggs will always have their place, but if you’re ready to shake up your breakfast game, this skillet polenta delivers in spades. After crisping up sausage and kale in your HexClad 4.5QT Hybrid Deep Sauté Pan, you’ll make a quick, ultra-cheesy polenta that's smooth, rich and ready to cradle perfectly runny eggs. Roasted tomatoes, sausage and kale pile on top, bringing layers of bold flavor to every bite. It’s the kind of dish that turns a slow weekend morning into something special—whether you’re making it for a laid-back group brunch or adding it to the family’s regular breakfast rotation.
7. Creamy Broccoli Crunch Salad
Broccoli might just be the unsung hero of winter salads. (Stay with us!) A quick steam in your HexClad Steamer Basket softens the cruciferous vegetable just enough to soak up a Caesar-inspired dressing. Plus, all the crunchy, tangy and smoky bits in this salad make it downright fun to eat. We’re talking tangy pickled shallots, chewy cranberries, crispy bacon, toasted pecans and smoky Gouda. It’s crisp, creamy, savory and just a little unexpected—the kind of salad that makes you wonder why you ever overlooked broccoli in the first place.
