How to Freshen Up Winter Meals

The weather outside may be dreadful, but that doesn't mean your meals have to be. Even though it's the middle of winter, there are still some easy ways to freshen up your meals. With just a bit of creativity, you can turn a boring, winter meal into a burst of flavorful delight. Best of all, none of these suggestions are expensive. Not to mention, that they don't require that much work either.

Fresh Herbs

Nothing freshens up the flavor of a winter meal more than fresh herbs. If you have the space in your kitchen window, it pays to keep a small herb garden. If not, you can always purchase fresh herbs at almost any grocery store. Fresh herbs are more expensive than dry, but the flavor can't be beat. If you're not into overly spiced foods, try adding basic herbs to your winter meals, such as parsley. Parsley has a mild flavor, but will fresh up any dish you add it to.

In Season Vegetables

Many people turned to canned vegetables during the winter because they're cheaper and some of their favorite vegetables aren't available. Take the time to get to know winter vegetables that are in season in your area. Hunt out suggestions for preparing them along with new recipes. You may be surprised just how much you love these options. Best of all though, you'll be eating vegetables that taste fresh and add a pop of flavor to your winter meals. If you absolutely have to have your old standbys, don't shop in the canned foods aisle. Instead, purchase vegetables from the freezer section. Not only will they taste fresher, but they're more nutritious as well.

Citrus

Citrus is not only low in calories, but it adds a nice pop of flavor to many dishes. A filet of salmon sauteed in olive oil with rosemary and a squirt of lemon juice will freshen up any winter meal. Even a boring winter salad can be freshened up with a few segments of blood orange or grapefruit. You could also use fresh orange juice to create an orange reduction to pour over a roasted pork chop or chicken breast. You could even get really creative and prepare a barbecue sauce with oranges to brush on baked chicken breasts or as a substitute to the boring ketchup on top of meatloaf. Get creative and you'll freshen up your winter meals, while waking up your taste buds as well.