February Is The Best Month For Staying In, Getting Cozy, And Eating Well — Here Are 28 Versatile Recipes To Try Right Now
January felt like it lasted way longer than 31 days, but February is sure to fly by. With Valentine’s Day, the Super Bowl, Black History Month, and President’s Day all packed into the shortest month of the year, figuring out what’s for dinner can feel like just another task on a never-ending to-do list. But don’t worry! This collection of 28 recipes will keep you inspired in the kitchen all month long — even if you only have minimal time to put toward cooking.
1.Crispy Smashed Potatoes with Garlic and Za’atar
A garlicky za'atar sauce adds an herbaceous kick to these roasted smashed potatoes. One note: Don't skip the step of adding a little baking soda to the water when boiling the potatoes — it will make the potatoes crispier in the oven!
2.Miso Butter Spatchcock Chicken
Once you learn the art of spatchcocking a chicken, it’s likely to become your go-to method for roasting. Spatchcocking just means removing the backbone, and allowing the chicken to lie flat with its legs spread out. This simple technique halves the roasting time, ensuring even cooking while keeping the white meat juicy and tender.
Recipe: Miso Butter Spatchcock Chicken
3.White Chocolate Pistachio Truffles
This Valentine's day, homemade truffles will impress your boo just as much as — if not even more than — chocolate truffles from the finest chocolatier.
4.Mushroom Risotto with Frizzled Leeks
Mushroom risotto feels incredibly classy while costing relatively little to make, and the addition of fried or "frizzled" thinly sliced leeks adds a special touch to the rice dish.
This version of the take-out classic is easy to make in a home kitchen — no deep-frying or meticulous wrapping necessary! The wonton wrappers can be crisped up in advance if you plan on serving this one at, say, a Super Bowl party?
Recipe: Deconstructed Egg Rolls
6.Pork Milanese with Lemon Parmesan Arugula
When I buy red meat for myself, these days it is usually pork. It is more cost-effective than beef and full of flavor. Pork Milanese is one of my favorite foods, especially when served with a bright, fresh salad like this lemony arugula one.
7.Chili Lime Roasted Cauliflower
Inspired Taste / Via inspiredtaste.net
I guarantee that this cauliflower recipe will become a star in your vegetable recipe rotation. With its mild flavor, cauliflower is the perfect canvas for sour, spice, and salt. And whatever you do, don’t hold back on the lime juice!
Recipe: Chili Lime Roasted Cauliflower
8.Chicken and Wild Rice Casserole
The word “casserole” can get a bad rap, but this recipe will restore its reputation. Layers of flavor from fresh herbs, white wine, and earthy mushrooms create a deeply savory and satisfying one-dish dinner. A cup of aged cheese like gruyere or cheddar is optional in the recipe, but I highly encourage including it!
Recipe: Chicken and Wild Rice Casserole
9.Lablabi (Tunisian Chickpea Stew)
Harissa paste is a pantry/fridge essential for nights when cooking feels like a chore, but ordering in isn’t the answer. It can transform humble staples — like onions, stale bread, and a can of chickpeas — into a hearty, warm meal — lablabi.
Recipe: Lablabi (Tunisian Chickpea Stew)
👋 By the way, if you're looking for more recipes like these, take a quick minute to download the free Tasty app — where you can access 7,500+ recipes and save your faves for later.
10.Simple Ginger Carrot Bisque with Tahini Cream
Whether you’re soothing a sore throat or just craving a cozy soup to pair with crusty bread, this rich carrot and ginger bisque is the answer. The tahini cream adds richness without dairy, and it’s such a beautiful garnish that you’ll want to use it on all your veggie dishes!
French Onion Soup Dip is like an artichoke dip's hot, sophisticated cousin, and it is perfect for any February gathering. Serve with little crostinis, potato chips, or even fresh veggies.
Recipe: French Onion Soup Dip
Set-it-and-forget-it recipes, like this short rib dish, are perfect for a romantic dinner at home because most of the cooking happens before your date even arrives. Setting the mood is a lot easier when you’re not rushing to sear steaks or sauté at the last minute.
Recipe: Crockpot Short Ribs
13.Sticky & Crunchy Teriyaki Tofu in the Air Fryer
Air-frying (or baking) broccoli and tofu together helps you save on both dishes and energy. While the sauce in this recipe is glossy and delicious, you can always opt for store-bought teriyaki sauce for added convenience.
An Italian spin on the classic espresso martini doubles as a fun dessert when garnished with a lady finger cookie (or five) for dipping.
Recipe: Tiramisu Espresso Martini
Technically, these green beans are a side dish, but loaded with minced pork, mushrooms, and aromatics, you might be tempted to eat them solo for dinner. (Especially if you serve them over a bed of steamed white rice.)
Recipe: Chinese Green Beans
It's everyone's favorite chicken-y classic turned pescatarian-friendly. Thanks to the addition of quick-cooking shrimp, it's ready a whole lot faster, too.
Recipe: Shrimp Cacciatore
17.2-Ingredient Chocolate Souffle
If you're looking to impress a date this Valentine's Day but are short on time and budget, try this iconic two-ingredient chocolate soufflé recipe from Tasty. You can find the ingredients at most grocery and convenience stores, and it takes less than 45 minutes to prepare.
Recipe: 2-Ingredient Chocolate Soufflé
18.Glass Noodles with Pork and Cabbage
The Woks Of Life / Via thewoksoflife.com
The Lunar New Year season lasts until mid-February this year, so start the Year of The Snake off right with this Northern Chinese noodle dish that is so comforting and easy to make.
Recipe: Glass Noodles with Pork and Cabbage
19.One-Pan Shrimp and Lemon Orzo
I always keep shrimp in my freezer and orzo in my pantry for those long days when I need a quick, low-effort dinner. This recipe is especially convenient; not only is it fast, but it also requires minimal cleanup, making it a true weeknight hero.
Recipe: One-Pan Shrimp and Lemon Orzo
Dill is a severely underrated herb, but these egg bites give dill a well-deserved chance to shine paired with complimentary ingredients like feta, kale, and tomato. If you can't get your hands on fresh cherry tomatoes, strained canned tomatoes work like a charm.
Recipe: Mini Frittata Muffins
21.Baked Pancake with Pear and Cardamom
Forget standing over a hot stove while individually flipping each pancake. Toss a large format pancake into the oven and let it cook itself.
22.Citrus Salad with Fennel and Avocado
The state of fresh produce in February, at least in the Northern Hemisphere, can be disheartening. Fresh citrus is what gets me through these dark days, and boy does this salad celebrate citrus. Creamy avocado, crisp, hearty greens, and mint are a fresh change-up from the boiled and roasted dishes we rely on during winter.
23.Lentils and Rice With Caramelized Onions
This meatless and low-cost dinner option is still hearty and satisfying and will remind you of cumin's power to transform ingredients into a meal.
Move over, buffalo sauce; a new flavor profile for chicken wings is about to take Super Bowl Sunday by storm. These wings are coated in a buttery salt and vinegar sauce for a fresh twist on the classic game day appetizer.
Recipe: Salt and Vinegar Wings
25.Miso Salmon
After making a luxurious entree with five ingredients like this Miso Salmon, I guarantee you'll be inspired to start cooking more.
Recipe: Miso Salmon
26.Brussels Sprouts with Gochujang Butter
If you're looking for a side dish with main character energy, make these sprouts. With walnuts, dried cranberries, soy sauce, and gochujang, this dish gives new meaning to the phrase "jazzed up" — hitting all the right notes of sweet, nutty, spicy, and umami.
This loaf is a wintery version of pumpkin bread, using similar spices but with succulent Hachiya persimmons instead of pumpkin.
Recipe: Spiced Persimmon Bread
28.Golden Milk
Well Plated By Erin / Via wellplated.com
We are well into flu season, so it's important to take extra care of our immune systems by getting as much rest as possible. The ginger, turmeric, and honey in this Golden Milk recipe will soothe your stomach and may help ease your mind when you enjoy it before bedtime.
Recipe: Golden Milk
What dishes and recipes are getting you through this winter? Tell us all about what you've been cooking up in the comments!
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