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January’s Culinary Delights: Seasonal Recipes to Savor

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While we can have almost any food at our fingertips year-round, there’s something extraordinary about embracing the season’s flavors. Cooking with seasonal ingredients connects us to the rhythm of nature. And it allows us to savor the freshest, most vibrant produce available. As we step into the kitchen and explore the bounty of each season, we embark on a culinary journey that celebrates the ever-changing tapestry of tastes and textures that nature offers.

A skillet with coating chicken with lemon sauce.
Pan Chicken with Lemon Francese.

In this blog post, we will delve into the art of cooking with what’s available in season. We will uncover the rich and diverse ingredients that grace our plates throughout the year. From the crisp, earthy delights of winter to the bountiful harvests of summer, each season offers unique treasures waiting to be transformed into mouthwatering dishes. So, whether you’re an aspiring home cook or a seasoned chef, join us as we discover the joys of seasonal cooking and learn how to make the most of the ingredients Mother Nature provides.

Seasonal vegetables

In January, produce availability varies depending on your region and climate, but plenty of delicious options remain. Here are some ideas for cooking with seasonal foods in January:

  • Root Vegetables: Root vegetables like carrots, turnips, parsnips, and beets are in season during the winter months. Roast them with olive oil, garlic, and herbs for a simple side dish. Or use them in hearty soups and stews.

Butternut Squash Fries

Vegetables when baked, bring out their natural sweetness. This simple and easy recipe for butternut squash fries will have you making this nutritious vegetable more often than you planned. It takes less than 30 minutes and is a kids' favorite
Check out this recipe
vegetable fries on a plate
  • Citrus Fruits: Citrus fruits such as oranges, grapefruits, lemons, and limes are at their peak in January. You can use them in salads, desserts, and beverages. Also, try making homemade citrus vinaigrette for salads or a refreshing citrus sorbet.

Orange Cake (Bundt Cake Recipe)

Indulge in the sweet sensation of the perfect treat that will leave your taste buds craving for more. Our orange cake recipe is a culinary delight. A masterpiece of flavors that will transport you to a sun-kissed orchard with each bite. This delicious dessert is not your ordinary cake; it is an extraordinary creation that embodies moistness, fluffiness, and a burst of fresh citrus goodness. Whether you are a novice baker or a seasoned pro, this recipe is your passport to creating a cake that will impress your friends and family.
Check out this recipe
An orange bundt cake sliced.
  • Winter Greens: Leafy greens like kale, collard, and Swiss chard thrive in cooler weather. Sauté them with garlic and red pepper flakes, or add them to soups, quiches, and frittatas.

Sautéed Kale

Sauteed kale takes just 5 minutes to cook. Today we add pine nuts and cranberries for a little bit of crunch and zing. A simple and easy recipe you can serve as a side dish or as a healthy meal on its own.
Check out this recipe
A skillet with kale sauteed with pine nuts

Sautéed Kale with Olives and Feta Cheese

This sautéed kale recipe with olives and feta cheese takes just five minutes to cook. You can serve it as a side dish or make it a light meal on its own.
Check out this recipe
A white plate with kale, feta and olives
  • Brussels Sprouts: Brussels sprouts are a classic winter vegetable. Roasting them with bacon or pancetta and a drizzle of balsamic glaze makes for a delicious side dish.
  • Winter Squash: Varieties like butternut, acorn, and spaghetti squash are abundant in January. So, use them in soups or purees, or roast them with a bit of maple syrup for a sweet and savory side dish.

Acorn Squash Soup

Acorn squash soup captures the essence of fall comfort food with its rich and creamy flavors. This recipe warms your soul and brings joy to your autumn evenings. From its delightful taste to its nutritional benefits, this soup is a must-try for anyone seeking comfort and health.
Check out this recipe
A pot of squash soup.
  • Cabbage: Cabbage is a versatile vegetable that you can use in slaws, stir-fries, or stuffed cabbage rolls. Also, try making a batch of sauerkraut for a probiotic-rich condiment.

Sautéed Cabbage – Garlic and Brown Butter

This sauteed cabbage is the perfect side dish to any main-course or a light meal. Flavored with nutty brown butter and garlic this is simple, easy, and gets done in less than 15 minutes.
Check out this recipe
Cabbage in a bowl sauteed with garlic

Sautéed Turmeric Cabbage

This turmeric cabbage is the perfect side to any main course. Sauteed with peas, garlic, and onions this gets done in less than 15 minutes.
Check out this recipe
A bowl of cabbage and peas.
  • Pears: Pears are still in season in January. You can eat them fresh, bake them into tarts or pies, or use them in savory dishes like pear and blue cheese salad.
  • Cauliflower: Cauliflower is available year-round but is especially tasty in winter. You can make cauliflower rice, mash, or even roast it with spices for a flavorful side dish.

Roasted Cauliflower

This ultimate roasted cauliflower recipe is a must-try for beginners. With its simplicity and deliciousness, it's a great dish to master. Perfect to serve with any main course or topped over a fresh salad for a complete meal.
Check out this recipe
Spiced baked cauliflower in a sheet pan.
  • Winter Herbs: Herbs like rosemary, thyme, and sage thrive in cooler weather. Use them to season roasted meats and vegetables or make herb-infused oils and vinegar.
  • Chestnuts: If you’re lucky enough to find fresh chestnuts, they can be roasted and enjoyed as a warm winter snack. Also, you can use them in stuffing for poultry dishes.

Chestnut Chicken with Caramelized Onions

Indulge in a culinary delight that will transport your taste buds to new realms of satisfaction. Whether you’re a seasoned chef or a passionate home cook, this irresistible combination of chestnut chicken with caramelized onions promises to elevate your dishes to a new level of culinary excellence.
Check out this recipe
A skillet with chicken and chestnuts.

Creamy Chestnut Mousse Recipe

Add a little glamour to your next batch of mousse with chestnuts. This chestnut mousse is rich, creamy, light, and airy. Made with chestnuts, whipped cream, gelatin (or agar-agar). In addition, I also share with you the vanilla or chocolate variation of this dessert.
Check out this recipe
Chestnut mousse in a glass.


Popular recipes in January often feature ingredients in season during the winter months. Here are some classic and comforting recipes that are commonly enjoyed in January:

  • Winter Vegetable Soup: A hearty and warming soup made with various seasonal vegetables like carrots, potatoes, leeks, and cabbage. You can also customize it with your favorite herbs and spices.

Healthy Potato Leek Soup

There is nothing more comforting than a bowl of warm healthy soup in winter. This potato leek soup is made with potatoes, leeks, milk instead of cream and gets ready in less than 30 minutes. I also share how to prevent milk from splitting in soups. Serve this with crusty bread, a side of salad and you have a complete meal.
Check out this recipe
A white bowl with leek soup.

Chicken Pot Pie Soup

Indulge in a steamy, heartwarming bowl of pure comfort. Tender chicken, a medley of flavorful vegetables, and a velvety, creamy broth in a bowl. This is chicken pot pie soup—the ultimate comfort food you need!
Check out this recipe
A bowl of soup with croutons

Roast Pumpkin Sweet Potato Soup

This roast pumpkin sweet potato soup is the simplest and easiest soup recipe that you can make. Also, roasting the veggies brings out the sweetness of the vegetables and adds to the velvet texture of the soup.
Check out this recipe
A bowl with pumpkin sweet potato soup.
  • Citrus Salad: A refreshing salad featuring a mix of citrus fruits like oranges, grapefruits, and pomegranate seeds. It’s a burst of bright flavors to combat the winter chill.

Easy Beet Salad

Beets are a healthy, inexpensive, and versatile root vegetable.  They are easy to use and taste good on their own, boiled or roasted. This beet salad recipe combines the beets with a few other simple vegetables in refreshing lemon dressing.
Check out this recipe
A wooden bowl with beet salad and lemon dressing.

Homemade Cauliflower Soup

This cream of cauliflower soup is hearty and wholesome. You won’t believe that there is no cheese or butter in this soup and yet it’s so rich, creamy and delicious. A simple and easy recipe that gets done in less than 30 minutes.
Check out this recipe
A bowl of cauliflower soup on a table.
  • Roasted Root Vegetables: A simple yet delicious dish where root vegetables like carrots, parsnips, and potatoes are seasoned with herbs and olive oil and roasted until caramelized.

Oven-Baked Carrot Sticks

The oven-baked carrot sticks are an easy way to eat heart-healthy veggies more often. Baking veggies make them sweeter and more delicious. This simple and easy recipe will have you and the family eating carrots often because they take less than 30 minutes to make.
Check out this recipe
A plate of baked carrots.
  • Beef Stew: A comforting and filling stew with tender chunks of beef, root vegetables, and a rich broth. It’s perfect for cold winter evenings.

Crock-Pot Beef Stew

Making a stew doesn't get any easier than this crock-pot beef stew. No need for pre-cooking or sautéing, just add everything to the slow cooker and leave it alone for a few hours. The result is fork-tender meat with hearty, wholesome veggies in a thick gravy.
Check out this recipe
A bowl of beef stew.

Moroccan Beef Stew with Dates

This Moroccan beef stew with dates produces fork-tender meat that falls off the bones. The contrasting flavors from the sweet dates and hot spicy paprika create a flavorful gravy that is absolutely delicious over steamed rice or couscous.
Check out this recipe
A bowl of beef stew.

Beer Braised Beef Stew – Slow Cooker

Stewed in a beer-based gravy alongside seasonal root vegetables this slow cooker beer-braised beef stew is the one you can make any time of the year.
Check out this recipe
A bowl of beef stew.
  • Lemon Chicken: A zesty and flavorful chicken dish that combines the brightness of lemon with the richness of roasted or braised chicken.

Cilantro Lemon Chicken

Morsels of chicken coated with a cilantro lime marinade make a perfect appetizer, side, or served with some buttered noodles for the main course. This cilantro lemon chicken is as quick as any stir-fry dish with no added fuss and takes less than 20 minutes to make.
Check out this recipe
A baking dish with cilantro lemon chicken.

Sheet Pan Lemon Chicken

Sheet pan lemon chicken is easy to make, and tastes AMAZING! This lemon chicken is filled with bright lemon flavor. It’s baked on one sheet pan for easy cleanup and takes just 45 minutes to the oven.
Check out this recipe
A golden brown chicken in sheet pan.
  • Baked Macaroni and Cheese: A cozy and indulgent dish featuring creamy, cheesy macaroni baked to perfection. Add a breadcrumb topping for extra crunch.

Creamy Cheesy Chicken Pasta

Talk about a classic! This creamy, cheesy chicken pasta dish is incredibly tasty and very easy to throw together. Pasta with a creamy, cheesy sauce and tender chicken is a total winner at our house. It's so easy to make, and it's a pretty healthy dinner, too.
Check out this recipe
A skillet with pasta topped with chicken breast and cheese.
  • Butternut Squash Risotto: Creamy risotto made with roasted butternut squash and Arborio rice, topped with Parmesan cheese. It’s a comforting and elegant dish.

Vegan Instant Pot Butternut Squash Risotto

This vegan Instant Pot risotto enables you to enjoy the creamy, indulgent taste and texture of risotto with half the work!
Check out this recipe
Vegan Instant Pot Butternut Squash Risotto
  • Cabbage Rolls: A classic comfort food where cabbage leaves are stuffed with ground meat, rice, and seasonings, then simmered in tomato sauce.

Cabbage Rolls

Ground beef, Italian sausage, long grain rice, and plenty of flavorful seasonings are stuffed inside tender cabbage leaves then doused in tomato sauce in this cabbage roll recipe.
Check out this recipe
Cabbage Rolls
  • Spaghetti Carbonara: A Roman pasta dish made with eggs, Pecorino Romano cheese, pancetta, and black pepper. It’s simple yet incredibly delicious.

Cheesy White Sauce Pasta

Unveil the secrets to creating a homemade white pasta sauce that will have you craving seconds. Impress your family and friends with this restaurant-worthy dish and elevate your pasta game. It takes just 20 minutes to whip up restaurant-quality sauce right in the comfort of your own kitchen.
Check out this recipe
Pasta with white sauce.
  • Apple Crisp: A warm dessert made with baked apples and a crumbly topping of oats, flour, butter, and spices. Serve it with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.

Caramel Dutch Apple Pie

When it comes to fall desserts, you can’t go wrong with a caramel Dutch Apple Pie! It’s one of the simplest pies to make and has a delicious apple filling topped with a crunchy crumb topping and of course the best ever caramel sauce.
Check out this recipe
A slice of apple pie on the plate with caramel sauce.

Homemade Hot Chocolate (3 Ways)

Indulge in a heavenly concoction that will warm your soul and leave you craving more. No, we're not talking about your average, run-of-the-mill hot chocolate. These chocolate drinks are rich, thick, creamy, and chocolaty, made with real chocolate! Try my French, cinnamon hot chocolate, or hot cocoa.
Check out this recipe
A ceramic cup with hot chocolate and whipped cream.
  • Pumpkin Bread: While pumpkin is associated with fall, some pumpkins are still in season in January. Enjoy homemade pumpkin bread, a moist and flavorful treat.

Soft Pumpkin Dinner Rolls

Add a seasonal touch using pumpkin puree to your next batch of dinner rolls with these pumpkin dinner rolls. A simple and easy recipe that creates soft, light, and fluffy bread you can eat on its own or serve with your meal.
Check out this recipe
Soft dinner rolls on a wooden board.

These recipes highlight winter cuisine’s cozy and comforting aspects, using seasonal ingredients to create nourishing and satisfying meals. Whether you’re looking for something hearty and savory or a sweet treat to chase away the winter blues, these recipes will warm your heart and taste buds during January’s chilly month.

Here are some tips for cooking with seasonal foods in January:

  • Embrace hearty, warming dishes like stews, chili, and casseroles to make the most of the winter vegetables.
  • Also, consider preserving excess seasonal produce through methods like canning, pickling, or making jams and jellies.
  • Experiment with citrus flavors in sweet and savory dishes, from citrus-infused desserts to citrus-marinated grilled meats.
  • Try combining multiple seasonal ingredients in one dish, such as a roasted vegetable medley or a citrusy winter salad.
  • In addition, explore international cuisines that traditionally use seasonal winter ingredients. For example, try making a Moroccan tagine with root vegetables or a Japanese miso soup with winter greens.

Cooking with seasonal ingredients ensures you get the freshest and most flavorful produce. And yet, it can also be more cost-effective and environmentally friendly by reducing the need for out-of-season imports.

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What to cook in January

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