Spinach and Caramelized Onion Baked Potato

I have to admit, baked potatoes are a rarity for me. While I love potatoes, I tend to default to roasting them more than anything else with the occasional mashed or grilled variety. However, on a rainy day I ended up going this route after rummaging through my fridge and couldn't have been happier. This mainstay was classed up with caramelized onions, spinach, and fresh mozzarella to produce a hearty vegetarian meal.

You can always make smaller portions of this meal as a side, however. In my case I let it be the main feature with some leftover butternut squash soup on the side. It was a perfect, hot meal to enjoy as I was cozy in my house, listening to the rain outside!

Difficulty: medium
Time: 45 min

Grilled Tofu with Ginger and Sesame

I had never grilled tofu before this experiment, but I'll most definitely be grilling it again in the future. This recipe has you grill it as a "steak" meaning one flat slab of tofu. It will help draw in tofu skeptics since it is recognizable as a typical shape and form for a protein, but will then quickly convert them to regular tofu eaters with its delicious flavor and texture. The ginger and sesame glaze pairs perfectly with the smoky grill flavor.

I served my tofu steaks over basmati rice and alongside some fresh, grilled asparagus simply coated with a touch of olive oil and a generous helping of black pepper. It made for a quick, delicious dinner. You could easily swap out the sides, however, to best suit your mood. Let us know in the comments if you come up with the perfect combination.

Difficulty: easy
Time: 1 hr 15 min

Mushroom and Fontina Bread Pudding with Squash and Pear Bisque

I really need to get better about posting, even if a graduate school schedule has hijacked normality. However, hopefully the amazing recipes below make up for my delinquency. As the cold weather persists, make these dishes for some delicious, home baked warmth that will fill your house with tantalizing smells and warm you inside and out.

I prepared some healthy twists on classic comfort food below. First, there is a savory bread pudding complete with rich cheese and filling bread. However, with mushrooms for some umami flavor, whole wheat bread for fiber, and a lightened load of calories with skim milk and no-sodium-added vegetable broth, you'll be going back for seconds without feeling guilty. Along with the bread pudding comes a creamy pear bisque that you can enjoy without any worries that it's filled with heavy cream and salt. Scoop it up eagerly and your arteries will thank you.

Difficulty: medium
Time: 2 hrs 15 min