Welcome back, Villanova! Getting back into the swing of things is hard, especially when it feels like negative 3 million degrees outside with a wind speed of 1,000 miles per hour. Like most things, the cure to this dilemma is obviously food. These winter recipes will warm you up and have you feeling cozy and content in no time. Whether you are cheffing for the super bowl, Sunday dinner with the roomies, Valentine’s Day, or just because, we hope these recipes will bring you as much warmth and joy as your Campus Cozy this winter. 

Chocolate Chip Pancakes: A snow day classic and every kid’s best way to wake up. Perfect for a snowy, chilly morning to make you feel 10 years old again. (12 pancakes)

Ingredients:

1 ½  cups flour

1 tbsp baking powder

1 tsp salt

¼ tsp cinnamon

1 tbsp sugar

1 tsp vanilla extract

2 eggs

4 tbsp butter (melted)

1 cup milk of choice

½ cup chocolate chips

 

-Heat greased griddle or skillet over medium heat.

-In a large bowl whisk together flour, baking powder, salt and cinnamon.

-In a separate bowl, whisk together sugar, vanilla, eggs, butter and milk.

-Pour wet ingredients into dry ingredients bowl and whisk together.

-Pour ⅓ cup of batter onto skillet, and cook for approx 4 minutes on each side of pancakes. 

-Enjoy!

 **Festive tip: Add pink food coloring for Valentine’s Day pancakes** 

 

Mashed Potatoes: You can’t do winter without mashed potatoes, and they are honestly pretty fun to make. Serve with anything or eat as a delicious snack when you just walked from Bartley to West and desperately need to warm up. (serves 4)

Ingredients:

6 russet potatoes (peeled and quartered)

2 tbsp butter

1 c milk

Salt and pepper to taste

 

-Bring pot of salted water to boil

-Add potatoes and cook for 15 minutes or until tender but still firm and drain

-In saucepan, heat butter and milk over low heat until butter is melted

-Pour mixture into potatoes and blend w/ electric mixer until smooth and creamy

-Season with salt and pepper to taste

-Enjoy!

 

Homemade Mac and Cheese: Because it’s winter, and you need mac and cheese, and you know it. From scratch is just better. (serves 5)

Ingredients:

½ pound pasta of choice (highly recommend elbows or shells)

3 tbsp butter

2 tbsp flour

½ tsp salt

Pinch of pepper

1 ½ cup milk of choice

¾ cup half and half

2 ½ cups shredded cheese (could be cheddar or any other cheese you like, or a blend)

 

-Preheat oven to 325 degrees

-Cook and drain macaroni (following package directions)

-In medium saucepan over medium heat, melt butter.

-Mix in salt, pepper, and flour and cook for about two minutes.

-While stirring, slowly add in half and half and milk and cook for a few minutes until slightly thickened

-Remove from heat and stir in shredded cheese until melted

-Add in the cooked macaroni and stir until blended in mixture. 

-Optional: Put in baking dish, sprinkle on some extra parmesan cheese, breadcrumbs, and/or bacon bits on top and bake for 15-20 minutes for some extra gooeyness and sophistication. 

 

Valentine’s day cookies

Chocolate covered strawberries

7 layer dip

Seven Layer Dip: Perfect for anything from Super Bowl Sunday to Bachelor Monday and absolutely addicting. 

 

Ingredients: 

This recipe is great because you can eyeball however much of each ingredient, and add anything else you think might be good. Here are some basic essentials that taste divine:

Pack of cream cheese

Salsa (1-2 containers depending on how much you like salsa)

Beans (usually black) (could also do a layer of chile if you happen to make some)

Sour cream

Shredded Mexican cheese

Sliced olives or jalapenos 

 

-Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

-In an oven-safe baking dish, layer cream cheese on the bottom

-Add layer of salsa

-Add layer of beans

-Add layer of sour cream

-Add another layer of salsa

-Add layer of shredded cheese

-Add sliced olives and/or jalapenos on top

**Could add in extra cheese layers wherever if you are a big cheese fan (who isn’t?)

-Bake for 10 minutes until the cheese is melted/bubbling.

-Serve with chips, celery, and more

 

Chocolate Covered Strawberries: A Valentine’s Day or Galentine’s Day essential, and also an incredibly easy snack or dessert option for any random day of the week.

 

Ingredients: 

Package of strawberries

Package of chocolate chips or meltable chocolate (milk, dark, and/or white)

Optional: Pink and red sprinkles/food coloring

 

-Wash and dry strawberries

-Microwave chocolate for 30 second intervals until fully melted

-If using white chocolate and food coloring, add a few drops of coloring to melted white chocolate and stir to color

-Dip strawberries in melted chocolate, making sure all sides are covered 

-Add sprinkles or white chocolate drizzle

-Set on plate or tray to dry

 

We hope you try out some of these treats and love them as much as we do!! Stay warm, Wildcats. Xoxo The Villanovan