From pumpkin soup to chicken casseroles, homemade spiced Christmas nuts, Christmas cookies as a homey decoration for the tree, beef stews to pasta bakes, in the winter time you need hearty recipes to keep everyone feeling warm and festive. So while inside and cozy think out of the box with stunning winter recipe ideas such: Slow Cooked Beef with Tortellini, Cheese Gnocchi Bolognaise, And Navarian Lamb. Summer time is for sun and fun but winter time is for the comfort of indulgence. To perk things up how about Spiced Pomegranate Sparkler with citrus, cranberries and pomegranate with ginger ale (and perhaps a splash of rum) to add some exciting refreshment to Christmas or Hanukkah.

Winter Season Stars

Tasty Kale Chips help bring any meal alive. Simply roast kale leaves cut into thirds with sea salt and EVOO at 375 until crispy and use as a wonderful pre-dinner snack or even better as a tasty, rather addictive, garnish.

Think beans. Homemade chili's on a big game day or New Years Day for that matter makes everyone feel satisfied and cozy in the winter and do not be afraid to start with dried beans and make your bean recipes from scratch. Beans come to life when the are freshly soaked and then Incorporated into a recipe much more so than when taken from a can.

Homemade Roasted Christmas Spiced Nuts

Dark Green Kale and small Lady Apples make a gorgeous bed for your turkey. Remember - first we eat with the eyes.

A Kitchen Bouquet is essentially a caramelized vegetables reduced to a browning agent with some seasoning added. A little bit goes a long way but if you like a turkey with deep mahogany color this is your key.

Take advantage of the hearty selection of what is in season during the chilly season such as, butternut squash ideal for soups and purees, Cauliflower, Figs, ideal for dessert, cheese plates and meat entree dishes, mushrooms, parsnips, great as a unique alternative to roasted potatoes, Swiss Chard, Kale, leeks and lemons. There is such splendour and generosity from nature in the winter months so cook up something to warm and satisfy.