Undoubtedly too soon, it’s that time of year again. Toes freezing, cinnamon and nutmeg coming out of the spice cabinet… Is going outside to get hot food in this weather truly worth it? After all, White Walkers are starting to reappear next to Castle Black.
Even though Game of Thrones doesn’t come back until spring, we all suffer through the blistering cold weather that even the Starks find torturous. Hopefully these recipes will give you just the right amount of warmth to conquer the seven kingdoms.
GIF courtesy of tumblr.com
1. Roasted Chicken
Photo by Amanda Shulman
These two simple recipes for roast chicken produce final dishes that are hearty and flavorful, keeping you stuffed during those chilly nights. Harissa adds an intense, bold heat, crafting a dish that would be given to a Khal after a long day of hunting. Or, if you’re feeling more royal, adding rosemary makes your roast worthy of serving at King’s Landing. Who knows, it might even please Joffrey (RIP).
2. Winter Stew
Photo by Kendra Valkema
Soups and stews are the go-to dishes for cold weather, and this warm winter chicken stew is the ultimate comfort food. Sweet potatoes? Yum. Lentils? Double yum. If anything, just know that this is a much better stew than that mush they serve in Castle Black. No wonder they can’t defend the wall.
3. Herbed Focaccia
Photo by Katelyn Jones
Waking up to the smell of freshly baked focaccia is a blessing in sub-zero temps. Making that focaccia in six steps is even better. The bread is infused with rosemary, thyme, and basil — just the right mix of herbs to make Hot Pie proud.
4. Apple Tart
Photo by Alvin Zhou
Fend off the temperature drops (and wildlings) with a cheesecake apple tart. Don’t worry, it’s so simple to prepare that you don’t even have to take off your Snuggie and risk getting your body numb. Even the Tyrells would approve of the floral cut apples on top.
#SpoonTip: Dust a couple teaspoons of cinnamon over the entire tart when finished for a hint of warmth. Now your dessert is just like Margarey: sweet and spicy.
5. Beet and Quinoa Salad
Photo by Kendra Vaculin
Cold weather can often be stressful, and time seems to slip away faster than usual. Thankfully, there’s a beet and quinoa salad that is perfect for the on-the-go lifestyle. It’s full of protein and carbs for sustainable energy as you and your fellow Dothraki scout your next campsite.
#SpoonTip: Be sure to handle the beets carefully. They bleed. A lot. You don’t want to look like you came out of the red wedding.
6. Chicken Pot Pies
Photo by Christopher Song
No matter what you say, no winter will be as harsh as the ones in the North. Rumor has it that the Stark kids are getting by with these chicken pot pies, which are both portable and filling. Must be convenient for them since they’re always on the run.
7. Lemon-Scented Olive Oil Cake
Photo by Jeanne Kessira
It’s widely known that Sansa loves her lemon cakes more than Cersei loves incest. This lemon cake infuses olive oil for a mature flavor that will surely pair well with those sick days spent in knit sweaters and wooly socks. It’s probably been a while since Sansa had dessert, but you can enjoy the cake in her honor.
#SpoonTip: Adding a little rosemary to the batter or a simple lemon glaze on top works wonders.
8. Duck Breast Salad with White Wine Pear Sauce
Photo by Chris Roman
Looks like the snow blocked your driveway again. Perhaps it’s finally time to attempt cooking with duck breast. This simple salad uses a dressing that combines alcohol with fruit, so it’s technically good for you, right? It will surely please Tyrion since it has two of his favorite things: wine and… well, you know the rest.
9. Spicy Spanish Hot Chocolate
Photo by Rachel Hsu
There’s nothing better than sitting on the Iron Throne. Well, except for sitting on the throne with spicy hot chocolate in your hand. This glorious recipe uses a mix of cayenne pepper, chili flakes, and cinnamon for a resulting degree of heat straight from the shores of Dorne. Just be sure to check your hot cocoa for poison.
10. Stuffed Bell Peppers
Photo by Megan Prendergast
What’s scarlet, round, and filled to the brim? Well, there’s two answers to that question, and you’d probably prefer stuffed red peppers over a pregnant Melisandre. These veggies are slightly charred from the oven, making you feel warm and toasty inside when it’s the exact opposite outside.
11. Eggnog Pumpkin Pie
Photo by Eva Reynolds
It may not have doves flying out of it, but this pumpkin pie is spiked with a bit of eggnog that will bring back fond childhood memories of wintertime. They probably should’ve served this at the Purple Wedding — if Joffrey’s wedding pie was as moist as this, he wouldn’t have needed that goblet of wine.
12. Baked Apples
Photo by Sandy Huang
A King’s Landing staple and an easy dessert that looks more sophisticated than it really is. These baked apples are perfect for nights spent by the fireplace with only a glass of wine to keep you company. For Cersei, that’s pretty much every day. Even the queen has difficulty making friends… I wonder why.
13. Roasted Red Pepper and Goat Cheese Pasta
Photo by Maggie Gorman
With the fiery heat of Drogon’s breath, and cheese from the goat that he burned to a crisp, this pasta recipe comes straight from Meereen. Thankfully, it isn’t as complicated as the plot lines within it. Rest comfortably in your toe socks knowing that the Sons of the Harpy are nowhere near.