Winter seasonal produce - planning + tips
WINTER Seasonal Produce
I enjoy cooking with seasonal produce as much as possible. I am fortunate enough to live on the central coast of California, where we have delicious fruits and vegetables growing locally all year round. The list provided is simply a guide, to illustrate the produce that is most fresh and naturally growing for the season. As a bonus, cooking with seasonal produce helps to cut down on environmental impacts of growing and shipping non-seasonal produce.
Belgian Endive
Broccoli
Broccoli Rabe
Brussels Sprouts
Cabbage
Carrots
Cauliflower
Celery
Clementines
Curly Endive (Frisee)
Fennel
Grapefruit
Herbs
Horseradish
Kale
Kiwis
Lemons
Meyer Lemons
Mandarins
Onions
Oranges
Parsnips
Pears
Persimmons
Potatoes
Radicchio
Radishes
Shallots
Sweet Potatoes
Tangerines
Turnips
Winter Squash
WINTER PARTY PLAN
In the winter, I like to host gatherings for smaller, more intimate groups. In the summer, I love to dine al fresco and accommodate more guests with the indoor/outdoor flow. Even though I live in southern California, in the winter it still gets chilly and dark in the evening.
I love hosting inside my house during this time of year. I put a fire in the fireplace, light yummy smelling candles and serve something that makes the whole house smell warm and inviting.
If kids are invited to your gathering, I suggest preparing a simple craft or activity (see below). Winter is the time for slowing down and enjoying the simple pleasures in life!
Drinks
Champagne to start, red/white wine for dinner
Appetizers
Spinach artichoke dip, served with sliced bell pepper, cucumbers and sturdy crackers
Main Course
Pappa al pomodoro served with crusty bread and a fresh green salad with red wine vinaigrette
Dessert
Butter pecan blondies
Kids
Magic crispy chicken and veggies (same as for the appetizer, sliced bell pepper and cucumbers)
Kids Activity
Trim a tree – Candy Craft Trees
Décor
Fire in the fireplace, candles (Heart and Hearth with Magnolia – Fireside or Sugared Birch), earthy flower arrangement (Ranunculus and Juniper)
Music
Van Morrison station on Pandora
KATHARINE’S TIPS
Following these tips will help get you started using the Katharine’s Kitchen method of meal planning and cooking.
Tip #1
I am a big fan of utilizing my crock pot for winter cooking! Crock pot cooking is useful in so many different ways. In addition to saving time, most crock pot recipes make enough for two nights worth of meals or leave you with enough leftovers to freeze for another night. My favorite part of cooking a meal in the crockpot is the slow crescendo the warm aroma builds and permeates the house as the day goes on. By the time you walk in the door in the evening, out of the cold, the delicious smell of dinner invites you into the house and warms your soul. What a comforting and enjoyable way to end the day!
Tip #2
My husband tends to like a heartier meal or larger portion than I do. This creates an opportunity to repurpose leftovers! For example, on a night where I make herb roasted fish, with an arugula salad, I’ll add leftover pasta/grain/etc., whatever I have on hand, as an additional side for my husband. When you don’t have enough leftovers to create a new meal, consider using the leftovers as a supplement.
Tip #3
I keep my grocery shopping list in my Notes app on my phone. I used to keep a handwritten list, but after several instances of it blowing away or getting lost (especially when my kids were really little, and I was super sleep deprived), I decided to switch to keeping the list on my phone. Having the list on my phone is convenient, because, no matter where I am, I can always add to the list when I think of something I need. At home, when I run out of something, I quickly add the item to my shopping list. Then, when I’m at the store, I don’t have remember what I need, or decide what to make for dinner, all that work is already done, and I just have to follow the list!
Tip #4
My girls are ages 3 and 6. For this stage in our lives, I typically use the ingredients for the adult meal to make the kid version of the meal. Sometimes the kids will eat exactly what my husband and I are eating, but mostly the meal has two versions. In this case, I prep the meal to the kid version state, serve my kids and finish making the adult meal while the kids eat. Often times, my kids will choose to eat in the kitchen with me, at the counter, and I’ll narrate the steps I’m taking to complete the adult meal. My kids will ask questions along the way and I enjoy spending the quality time with them. Unfortunately, my husband typically is not home for dinner during the week, so he and I eat together after the kids go to bed. On the weekends we prioritize eating as a family.
Tip #5
I have friends that love to create elaborate tablescapes, decorate their homes with beautiful details and are always up to some sort of crafty project. I didn’t get that gene! My style of decorating utilizes natural elements and is heavily tied to the scents of the season. Creating flower arrangements with the colors of the season is the first step I take to give my home the feel of the season. Next, I choose candles with scents of the season. I enjoy decorating wreaths and tablescapes with natural materials (eucalyptus, pine cones, pine branches, fig leaves, lemons/limes, persimmons, pomegranates, cinnamon sticks). I believe we feel and make memories based on sights and smells. I try to cultivate this feeling in my home simply, with fresh flowers, natural materials and candles. If you’re like me, try this approach and see how quickly and easily this method transforms the look and feel of your home!
Tip #6
Food presentation does matter! We eat with our eyes first. I am not impressed by food that is overly fussed with, but taking an extra minute to mindfully place food on a plate can make all the difference. Think about combinations of colors and textures during your meal planning phase. For example, if I’m making chicken, I will choose sides to add a pop of color to the plate, as well as choosing two sides with different textures/consistencies. Eating food that is visually interesting, as well as delicious, enhances the entire dining experience. I believe this important for the kids plates too! I choose to take a little extra time to beautifully arrange the food on each plate and I always make sure my kids plates have a variety of colors and choice.
Tip #7
If the meal I’m making for my husband and myself is not adaptable for the kids, I’ll make them what I like to call “snacky dinner.” The kids love this! Better yet, I don’t have to run to the store to buy anything, I just pull from what I already have at home. For example, I’ll put a dollop of hummus on each plate, with a variety of veggies (bell pepper, cucumber, carrots, etc.), add a few crackers/pretzels, a few slices of salami and cheese, perhaps a half a grapefruit, pomegranate seeds or some sliced banana with almond butter. My kids think it's lots of fun, but I know they're still getting a well- rounded meal.
Tip #8
Embrace the precious moments in life, especially with little kids, throw out the plan and play! Even if you have a beautiful meal in mind to cook, if they day is too hectic, or your kids just want to be with you and play, make them an easy breakfast dinner (eggs, pancakes, sausage, fruit, whatever you have on hand) and figure out dinner for yourself later! You won't regret embracing the moment!
Tip #9
Take meat out of the fridge a half hour before cooking. Let it rest on the countertop, to bring it up to room temperature. This allows the meat to cook evenly in the oven or on the grill.
Tip #10
I like to base my cooking style on the season. In the summer, there’s no sense wasting a beautiful day outside, cooking inside in a hot kitchen. During this time of year, I choose meals that can be made ahead and served at room temperature, or meals that require little cooking. For example, I’ll make a fresh caprese salad, topped with roasted chicken I made earlier in the day or the day before. Rub boneless, skinless chicken breasts with olive oil and sprinkle both sides with salt and pepper. Roast chicken breasts on a sheet pan at 350 degrees for 35 minutes. Let the chicken rest for 5-10 minutes before slicing. In the winter, after the time changes, it’s darker earlier, and I have more time to cook in the evening. I take this time of year to utilize my crockpot, so the yummy smells of dinner permeate the house as the day goes on or to experiment with more involved recipes. For example, I’ll make pappa al pomodoro with crusty bread and a fresh green salad with red wine vinaigrette (see my party plan and website for recipes).
