Winter Comfort Foods:

Winter is the best excuse to load up on your favorite comfort foods. Nothing beats a nice hot meal to warm you up on those cold nights, or unwind after a long day at work. Soups, sweets, barbecueswhatever you're into, there's sure to be a winter recipe that suits your tastes. To get your imagination going, here are five of the best winter comfort foods for the whole family.



Winter soups.<EM> </EM>Soups and stews go down easily, so they're perfect for those really cold days when you need to warm up fast. And thanks to crock pot cooking, there's no need to wait all day for the soup to cookjust pop them in the slow cooker in the morning and you'll come home to a nice full pot in the afternoon.



Macaroni and cheese.<EM> </EM>Comfort foods are all about bringing back the past, and what better way to do that than with a classic children's favorite? It's fairly simple and you can whip one up in half an hour. Serve your mac and cheese piping hot with your favorite topping: bacon, cream, mozzarella, you name it.



Sweets and desserts<EM>. </EM>Got a sweet tooth? Head to the fridge and toss up a quick dessert snack. "Warm" desserts such as hot fudge and brownies make excellent winter comfort foods. If you're watching your weight, go for fruit-based foods like baked apples and peach cobblers, and use low-fat alternatives for butter, sugar, and other basic ingredients.



Wines.<EM> </EM>Alcohol has an instant warming effect on the body and makes a good finish for winter meals. After dinner, enjoy a glass of your favorite wine while relaxing in front of the fireplace. Red wine is a classic, but if you're feeling adventurous, try some warm spiced wine or ale.



Fondues.<EM> </EM>Having a winter party? Serve up a cheese or chocolate fondue and you've got a cheap but elegant-looking main course. Pair it with wine or offer a variety of hot drinks so your guests can help themselves. Spicy finger foods add warmth to the party and will keep everyone in a festive mood.