When it’s raining, it’s normal for people to find the weather long and tedious. Don’t you know what to eat on a rainy day? So instead of sitting around all day, you could roll up your sleeves and cook some tasty treats that will cheer up the whole family! Here are some recipes for rainy days that are colorful, tasty and would boost you up!
What should I eat on a rainy cold day?
For some (not Pluviophiles), winter is not the easiest season to live through. We must give special attention to our diet and be able to answer the question, “what to eat in winter?”
Contrary to a widely held belief, there is no need to eat more during the winter. Winter, like other seasons, necessitates a balanced diet tailored to seasonal ailments.
Soup
Consider soup as an example. In addition to warming our bodies, soups are also beneficial to our health. They hydrate us, give us necessary nutrients, vary according to the veggies used, and prevent vasoconstriction.
To warm yourself without ingesting hot beverages or food, you may always rely on some plants. So, what foods may you consume to warm up? However, some herbs and spices will suffice. Included in this category are cloves, cinnamon, cumin, ginger, pepper, thyme, rosemary, and bay leaves.
According to traditional Chinese medicine, these spices and fragrant herbs kindle the dragon’s fire, the inner fire. The release of digestive enzymes explains the heat of the body, according to Western medicine.
Whether Eastern or Western, traditional or contemporary, everyone agrees that these plants have a warming effect.
Cereals
Finally, to help you fight against the cold, carbohydrates are a precious help. Their slow assimilation by the body and, therefore their high availability will help to warm up when the temperature drops. So, think of consuming slow sugars, and treat yourself to pasta, legumes or wholegrain cereals.
Getting more Vitamin C
If the winter cold disturbs us, so do the numerous viruses that are willing to infect us and even thrive within us.
To answer the question of what to eat to protect against viruses, the correct response is to boost your immune system. Several factors will assist us in combating these potential attacks and bolstering our immune systems.
The most important vitamin is the all-too-familiar vitamin C.
Winter is paradoxically the season in which we absorb the least vitamin C due to a diet that is less rich in raw foods. And because vitamin C is not resistant to heat, it disappears from cooked soups, unlike raw vegetables.
Here is a non-exhaustive list of the fruits and vegetables richest in vitamin C. (in mg per 100g)
In the first place, fruits:
- Acerola with 1300 mg
- Guava with 300 mg
- Kiwi with 200 mg
- Blackcurrant with 180 mg
- Strawberry with 90 mg
- Cherry with 77 mg
- Lemon and orange with 50 mg
- Grapefruit with 40 mg
We can see that citrus fruits, contrary to belief, are not the champions of vitamin C content. On the other hand, I think that they are the easiest to find and the least expensive fruits, so they will find their place in our winter diet.
Next, let’s move on to the vitamin C-rich vegetables:
- Kale with 180 mg
- Parsley with 170 mg
- Broccoli and Brussels sprouts with 150 mg
- Turnip with 139 mg
- Spinach with 90 mg
- Cauliflower 80 mg
- Watercress with 75 mg
- Pepper with 33 mg
What about minerals?
In winter, zinc is the first priority. Zinc shortens the duration and intensity of colds, lowers respiratory diseases, and strengthens the immune system. In the plant world, zinc is mainly found in cocoa. Did you know that 100 grams of raw, unsweetened cocoa provides 62% of the daily value?
Other sources of zinc include pumpkin and sesame seeds, lentils, and mushrooms.
So, when asked what minerals to consume, raw chocolate ranks first. Good news, right?
List of quick meals to make on a rainy day
1. Chocolate monkey bread
High humidity is essential to the production of brioche dough. Thus, a wet day is ideal for baking this monkey bread. And because children like assisting in its preparation, this bun is great for family cooking time.
2. Gnocchi made from beetroot and pan-fried
The preparation of gnocchi needs patience and meticulousness. In this instance, the addition of beetroot puree makes the dish slightly more delicate. Take your time when preparing this Italian delicacy.
3. Homemade tofu
Making tofu at home is a fascinating experience for those who are curious about how it is made. Would you want to test it? This video explains how to make homemade tofu in its entirety. You only need a few ingredients and a great deal of patience.
4. Tofu nibbles glazed with peanut butter and ginger
Once the tofu has been prepared, it may be transformed into gourmet snacks. They may be served as appetizers and will wow everyone. 100% handmade.
5. Bread with bacon and cheese
This bread’s lengthy rising period affords you the opportunity to finally start that book you’ve been promising to read. As an appetizer, it is served heated with a glass of red wine or toasted with roasted tomato soup.
6. Sesame bagels
Finally, a homemade bagel recipe! The amount of work required requires you to remain in the kitchen, despite the dish’s simplicity.
7. Homemade cream cheese
Cream cheese is synonymous with bagels. Take the opportunity of a rainy day to create your own cream cheese. It is a straightforward recipe that will provide great satisfaction.
8. Empanadas
There is something meditative and Zen-like about repeating the same processes to create empanadas, the meat-filled turnovers.
Final words
Now you need to know all about “what to eat on a rainy day.” We understand your hesitation. After all, it’s not easy enough to find the inspiration to plan healthy, balanced and varied menus throughout the week…
So it may seem even more complicated to adapt to the seasons! But now you can be prepared for rain and winter. Share your thoughts and favorite recipes in the comments!
