Cozy Winter Meals

This time of year, with the weather being so frightfully cold, it just feels right to cook more and spend time at home. And even if you live in a warm-weathered climate, sometimes it's just nice to cozy up at home and cook a roast, invite a few friends over, and enjoy a bottle (or two) of wine. 

This week, we had editors pick their "dream meals" — three recipes that they'd like to make for dinner (or have someone make them). Follow their menus as planned, or feel free to mix and match, using their ideas to inspire some of your own. And please note that if you're not a dessert person, like a few of our TDM staffers, then there's nothing wrong with finishing the meal with a piece of fruit or a chocolate or skipping it all together. 

As long as you're happy, then it really doesn't matter. Enjoy and happy holidays!

Appetizer: Grilled Baby Artichokes with Garlic and White Wine Butter

Main Course: Easy Roast Lamb

Dessert: Easy Apple Cinnamon Bread Pudding

— Nicole Campoy-Leffler

Main Course: Honey Glazed "Fresh" Ham

Side Dish: Baked Sweet Potato Fries with Parmesan and Cinnamon

Dessert: Triple Chocolate Cookies

— Valaer Murray

Appetizer: Romaine Lettuce with Roasted Garlic and Parmesan Dressing

Main Course: Roasted Cornish Game Hens

Side Dish: Bacon Brussels Sprouts

— Yasmin Fahr

Appetizer: Arugula Salad with Apple Vinaigrette

Main Course: Braised Pork and Coconut Soup

Dessert: Molasses Ginger Snaps

— Claire Bullen

Appetizer: Warm Goat Cheese Salad

Main Course: Panko-Crusted Pork Schnitzel

Side Dish: Baked Sweet Potato Fries with Parmesan and Cinnamon

— Maryse Chevriere

Appetizer: Pomegranante Herb Salad

Main Course: Braised Beef with Bone Marrow and Shallots

Side Dish: Yukon Gold Mashed Potatoes with Roasted Garlic

— Will Budiaman

Appetizer: Shaved Asparagus, Arugula, and Parmesan Salad

Main Course: Bacon-Wrapped Pork Roast

Dessert: Blackberry Cobbler

— Molly Aronica

Main Course: Braised Leg of Lamb with Garlicky Root Vegetable Purée

Side Dish: Green Beans Almondine 

Dessert: Dark Varietal Chocolate Drink

— Allison Beck

Main Course: Hot Cherry Pepper-Double Stuffed Pork Chops

Side Dish: Basic Mashed Potatoes

Dessert: Tipsy Apple Pie

— Francesca Borgognone

Pre-Dinner Cocktail: Rhubarbarella Cocktail

Dinner: Gwyneth Paltrow's Hot Niçoise Salad

Dessert: Strawberry Rhubarb Cobbler

— Ali Rosen