As chilly weather settles in, we yearn to cozy up with a comforting meal. Comfort food and healthy don’t often go hand-in-hand, but for The Heirloom Chef’s Jackie Djordjevic, the focus is on creating a balance so all foods can fit with mindful swaps in her recipes.
“For instance, if I’m making a chicken pot pie, I may use coconut milk or low-fat milk rather than whole milk. For Heirloom Chef meals, we only use healthy cooking oils like olive oil. It’s an easy way to make sure we are providing healthy fats,” she explains.
Winter may not seem like the season for plentiful produce, but Jackie reminds us it can still be an exciting time for wholesome ingredients.
“We love using hearty squash like acorn squash. We also offer winter greens like kale and collard greens, and then we will brighten up dishes with a citrus marinade,” Jackie enthuses.
Comfort for the Crowd
Meat pies with potatoes are a familiar tradition in many different cultures, and Jackie loves making this crowd-pleasing shepherd’s pie for that reason. The side of nutty, herbaceous roasted cabbage is a nod to her grandpa’s cooking.
“He made simple Serbian dishes like cabbage all the time, so this is my elevated take on a simple vegetable, while also drawing inspiration from his recipes,” she shares.
Whether you’re serving up a family-style meal for visitors or meal prepping for a neighbor or friend, these nourishing recipes are sure to keep the season cozy.
Shepherd's Pie
Serves 6-8
Ingredients
Meat filling:
1 medium onion, diced
2 whole carrots, diced
1/2 cup frozen peas
2 tablespoons minced garlic
2 lbs ground beef
2 cans of tomato puree
1/4 cup chopped fresh basil
1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
Salt and pepper, to taste
Fresh herbs (basil, parsley), to garnish (optional)
Mashed potatoes topping:
6-8 small to medium potatoes, peeled
2 tablespoons butter
1 can of coconut milk (any milk or milk alternative)
Salt, pepper and smoked paprika, to taste
Instructions
- Prepare the filling by browning the meat in a skillet until about halfway cooked. Add all vegetables, garlic and seasonings. Continue to cook until the beef is done. Add tomato puree and season with salt and pepper.
- Meanwhile, bring a medium pot of water to a boil. Add potatoes and cook until soft. Drain and add coconut milk, salt and pepper and mash until you get a whipped potato consistency.
- To assemble, add the meat filling to a casserole dish and smooth it out evenly. Add mashed potatoes to the top and spread evenly or pipe on for additional texture. Sprinkle with a little smoked paprika and bake in the oven at 350°F for 15-20 minutes or until the mashed potatoes start to brown slightly.
Roasted Cabbage Wedges
Serves 6-8
Ingredients
1 head of cabbage
1/4 cup shredded Parmesan cheese
1/4 cup olive oil
1/2 cup parsley
1 tablespoon garlic, minced
1/4 cup almonds, chopped
Salt and pepper, to taste
Instructions
- To prepare, cut the cabbage into wedges. You should get about 8 wedges.
- Mix the other ingredients in a bowl and brush the cabbage with the mixture, making sure to saturate the cabbage leaves. Season with salt and pepper.
- Roast in the oven at 425°F for 15-20 minutes.
Balanced Meals for Healthy Living
The Heirloom Chef is a meal prep service dedicated to feeding families in the greater Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky areas. They focus on real food, cooked simply, using the best ingredients they can find.
“People choose us because we offer family-style meals and single meals. It’s easy for them to get dinner on the table and feel good about what they are feeding their family. It’s a win-win,” Jackie explains.
Gifting Heirloom Chef meals is another thoughtful way to care for family, friends and neighbors any time of year.
“What’s better than the gift of food? Food is comfort in a time of healing, it’s a peace offering, a way to say thank you or congratulations on a new chapter,” Jackie adds.
Learn more and find gift certificates, perfect for anyone on your list, at HeirloomChefCincy.com.