The start of a new year can be an exciting time as we think about all the adventures we'll go on and goals we'll accomplish in the months ahead. But the early days of January can also feel daunting with a seemingly endless expanse of cold, dark winter on the horizon. If you're anything like me, you may find yourself reaching for warming bowls of nourishing foods to help fuel you through the day as you ease back into your routine post-holiday season.
So in the spirit of satisfying cravings for something hot and healthy this time of year, we've gathered recipes for delicious meals chock full of nutrient-dense ingredients. These include ones with complex carbs such as beans, lentils, farro and potatoes to help provide you with lots of energy for whatever you've got planned this month. A couple favourites are Steve Sando's master recipe for a pot of beans — a batch cook that will set you up for the whole week — and chef Dwight Smith's rice and peas, a classic side that pairs well with just about anything.
We've also got plenty of protein-packed options to support your body. Start your day off with a hearty breakfast of roasted eggplant with baked eggs and chickpeas from Matt Basile and Kyla Zanardi. And for dinner, try making tray-baked salmon niçoise or za'atar orange chicken and potatoes — both are simple and truly satisfying weeknight meals.
You'll find lots of recipes based around micronutrient-loaded vegetables, too. So if you're craving plant-forward food right now, but cannot fathom enjoying a cold salad in the dead of winter, a dish like Dhivya Subramanian's roasted cauliflower with dates and herby farro or Amina Al-Saigh's Lebanese moussaka may be exactly what you're after.
And because nothing feels more nourishing in January than a heaping bowl of soup, we've rounded up a few of our go-tos, such as Hetty Lui McKinnon's baby bok choy and rice vermicelli soup, Nik Sharma's simple but savoury chicken kanji and Bri Beaudoin's vegan cream of broccoli soup with garlicky breadcrumbs. Bonus: many of these recipes are easy to scale up, so you can make a big pot and enjoy them for a few days.