What's your go-to cold weather dish? Here's what you told us.

Chicagoans Warm Up to Hearty Cold-Weather Dishes

As winter sets in, many of us turn to comfort food to warm our bellies and soothe our spirits. Our readers shared their go-to cold-weather dishes, from classic French onion soup to homemade chili and nostalgic family recipes.

For some, it's a trip back to childhood memories. Melissa Jones swears by her dad's goulash, while Helen Rogers fondly remembers her father's hearty stew. For others, a warm bowl of chicken soup is the perfect remedy for a chilly day.

Foodies also love trying out new dishes when it gets cold outside. At La Scarola, pasta fagioli is a favorite among P. Teodo and fans alike. On the other hand, Franklin Eric Dickerson's 50-cent instant ramen might be an unlikely comfort food choice, but it's undeniably satisfying.

A few readers opted for more exotic options to cozy up on a cold winter day. Dave Kraft recommends lohikeitto, a traditional Finnish salmon soup that's equal parts warm and flavorful. Meanwhile, Janet Crawford's homemade chili is a nutritious and comforting meal in a bowl.

Whatever the dish, it's clear that Chicagoans are all about comfort food when winter hits. Whether you're in the mood for something classic or adventurous, these dishes are sure to hit the spot on a chilly day.
 
aww man i feel u πŸ€— ... winter is like the ultimate mood killer, but food can totally turn that around πŸ˜‹... i'm so with melissa jones on her dad's goulash tho, there's just something about a warm, comforting bowl of goodness that hits the spot every time ❀️... and who needs fancy when you can have good ol' fashioned instant ramen like franklin eric dickerson? 🍜 it's all about finding what works for u & cozying up on those chilly days 😌
 
I don't know why I even bother posting here... the formatting is always so wonky and the font is like 5pt tiny. Can't they just stick to a decent theme?! 😩 And what's up with the random layout? One minute it's all blocky, next minute it's all wavy lines. My eyes can't take it.

Anyway, I'm here for the food recs though... I've gotta try that Finnish salmon soup, sounds legit. And yeah, chicken noodle soup is always a winner. But can we please get a proper search bar?! It's like they think you just magically know what dish someone is talking about from 500 words of ramble.

Also, why do the foodies have to be so extra? I mean, P. Teodo and Franklin Eric Dickerson are both awesome, but come on... can't we keep it chill for once? πŸ˜’
 
I'm loving this time of year where we can just curl up with a big ol' bowl of goodness πŸ²πŸ‘Œ. I mean, who needs a fancy restaurant when you've got a warm, homemade goulash or chili just waiting for you? 😊 I gotta try that P. Teodo's pasta fagioli ASAP - Italian food in the winter sounds like my new favorite thing! πŸ‘ And don't even get me started on that lohikeitto... Finnish salmon soup is calling my name 🐟πŸ”₯
 
I'm not buying into this whole cold-weather cooking thing... just because we're all bundled up doesn't mean we need hearty meals to warm us up πŸ€”. I've had instant ramen in summer too and it was still pretty good πŸ˜‚. And what's with the fuss about pasta fagioli? It's just a variation of spaghetti sauce, right? 🍝 Give me something new and exciting, not just rehashed old recipes πŸ€·β€β™€οΈ.
 
I'm so over how everyone's suddenly obsessed with hot soup and stew this time of year its like we're forgetting that sometimes the best meal is actually a plain old sandwich or salad idk what's wrong with me but I'm totally craving some good ol' fashioned pizza right now πŸ•πŸ’‘ meanwhile, all these fancy-schmancy Finnish salmon soups are cool and all, but have any of you tried just throwing some frozen veggies in a pot and calling it a day? that's my comfort food jam πŸ’―
 
I think what's really interesting here is how people use food as a way to cope with the cold weather 🍲. It's not just about warming up physically, but also emotionally - a big ol' bowl of goulash or chili can be super comforting and nostalgic. And I love that people are trying out new dishes too, like pasta fagioli or Finnish salmon soup - it's all about experimenting with flavors to find what works best for you. But at the same time, there's something cozy about sticking to old favorites... maybe it's the familiarity or the memories attached to them? Whatever the reason, I think that's just the power of food in a nutshell 🌰.
 
I don’t usually comment but... I think there’s something so comforting about food that reminds us of our childhoods. Like, just reading through this list of recipes is making me crave my grandma's homemade spaghetti sauce 🍝. It’s amazing how certain smells and tastes can transport you back to a different time and place. And yeah, who wouldn’t want a warm bowl of chicken soup or pasta fagioli on a cold winter day? πŸ’‘ I don’t have any Finnish salmon soup in my diet (lol), but it does sound like an interesting option 🐟. Overall, it’s great to see people sharing their favorite comfort foods – makes me wanna cozy up with a good book and a bowl of homemade chili too 😊.
 
I'm so down for goulash season! 🍴 My grandpa used to make this epic Dutch oven of it every winter and it's still one of my favorite comfort foods. I mean, who needs fancy when you can just eat something that tastes like home, right? 😊 Also, 50-cent instant ramen is a genius move, Franklin. Don't @ me, it's comfort food at its finest! And have you guys tried making lohikeitto? It's literally the best thing since sliced bread... or in this case, fish! 🐟
 
I'm loving all the warm vibes around Chicago's cold-weather faves 🍲❀️. I mean, who doesn't love a good bowl of chicken soup to soothe those winter blues? 😊 And it's awesome that people are sharing their family recipes and nostalgic favorites - there's something so special about food that can transport us back to happy memories. But at the same time, I'm also down for trying new dishes when it gets chilly outside... like, have you guys tried lohikeitto yet? πŸ€” It sounds crazy-delicious! πŸ‘
 
OMG πŸ€—, I'm loving this article!!! Winter is the perfect excuse to cozy up with some hearty and delicious grub πŸ’ͺ! I personally can't get enough of homemade chili 🍲 - there's just something about that warm, comforting feeling when you take your first bite πŸ˜‹. And don't even get me started on French onion soup πŸ§€... it's like the ultimate winter warmer β˜•οΈ! But what's really cool is seeing all these different recipes and how they're connected to people's childhood memories or cultural traditions 🌎. That lohikeitto from Finland sounds amazing btw 🍲 - I need to try that ASAP! πŸ‘
 
I mean, I love how everyone is all about that comfort food life this time of year πŸ€ͺ. But like, can we talk about why it's so weird that we only turn to 'comfort food' when it's cold outside? Like, what's wrong with having a warm bowl of chicken noodle soup in the summer or something? It seems like our taste buds are super seasonal and I'm low-key intrigued by P. Teodo's pasta fagioli at La Scarola πŸ€”
 
I'm intrigued by how our collective psyche shifts with the changing seasons... like our taste buds do too 🍴 Winter's arrival sparks this primal urge for warmth and comfort food - it's almost as if our bodies remember the chill of the season and crave sustenance to counterbalance it. But is this desire for comfort just about physical warmth, or is there something more profound at play? Perhaps it's a longing for human connection, a sense of community that comes with sharing a warm meal with loved ones... Whatever the reason, I think it's beautiful that Chicagoans are embracing their inner foodies and indulging in hearty dishes to brave the winter blues πŸ’›
 
I'm not mad at people who eat instant ramen as a comfort food lol 🀣 I mean, who needs fancy French onion soup when a cheap and satisfying bowl of noodles will do? Franklin's 50-cent instant ramen might be an unlikely choice, but it shows that sometimes the simplest things in life are the best. And hey, if it hits the spot and warms you up, who cares about the ingredients or price tag? πŸ€·β€β™‚οΈ I'm all for trying out new dishes, but let's not forget that comfort food is all about feeling cozy and safe. And instant ramen can definitely provide that vibe 😊
 
πŸ€” I'm telling ya, this article is like, totally hiding something from us! Think about it, all these people sharing their favorite cold-weather dishes... but what if they're not just talking about food? What if it's a government experiment to get us all warm and cozy so we don't question their agenda? πŸ²πŸ‘€ And have you noticed how many of these "traditional" Finnish and Italian recipes are getting featured? It's like, they're trying to brainwash us into thinking only certain cuisines are worthy of comfort food! 😏 And let's not forget about Franklin Eric Dickerson's instant ramen... is that some kind of secret ingredient to control our minds? πŸœπŸ‘€
 
omg u guys i'm still obsessed with instant ramen lol Franklin is so extra but like who wouldn't love 50 cents of steaming hot noodles on a cold chicago day tho? and yeah la scarola's pasta fagioli is a winner too i mean who needs fancy restaurants when u can have a warm bowl of goodness at home? anyway gotta try lohikeitto tho it sounds so cozy and finnish 🍲😊
 
omg i love how chicagoans get so creative with cold-weather food! 🀩 it's like they take the chill out of winter and turn it into a warm hug πŸ²πŸ‘« pasta fagioli sounds SO good right now, but i'm also kinda intrigued by franklin's instant ramen lol who knew 50 cents could bring you that much comfort? πŸ˜‚ anyway, i'm totally getting some inspiration for my next cooking adventure πŸ³πŸ’‘
 
I'm not surprised people are whipping up goulash and chili like there's no tomorrow... I mean, have you seen the prices of avocados lately? It's basically free-range guac out there πŸ€‘. Anyway, I'm loving the idea of pasta fagioli - it sounds like a rich, savory hug in a bowl. And who can resist a good old-fashioned instant ramen fix when all they want is something that won't break the bank or require too much effort? 50 cents for a cup of noodles isn't bad, Franklin, you're my hero! πŸ’Έ
 
Back
Top