Dinner parties have had a renaissance, and it’s easy to see why. Sharing a delicious meal with family, friends or neighbours in a cozy setting encourages relaxed chatter and the opportunity to connect on a deeper level.
Yet while your guests might appreciate the pampering, hosting duties can feel daunting. That’s why we’ve curated these winter dinner recipes that combine simplicity with sophistication, delivering impressive results without the stress.
WINTER SOUPS
MINESTRONE SOUP
The perfect dinner party starter, this Italian soup bursts with colourful winter vegetables, along with the heft of pasta and kidney beans, setting the tone for an evening replete with comfort food.
ROTISSERIE CHICKEN NOODLE SOUP
All hail the king of winter soups! Grandma’s favourite recipe lives on in this savoury bowl that provides wholesome warmth with all the soothing ingredients you expect: nutritious veggies and hearty egg noodles, simplified with a shortcut of chopped rotisserie chicken.
CAULIFLOWER CHEESE SOUP
This creamy cauliflower soup is an understated showstopper. Easy to prepare, yet impressively flavourful, it pairs well with roasted meats and other winter-time delicacies.
CREAMY CORN AND POTATO SOUP
This inviting winter soup is easy to assemble, given its use of frozen diced hash brown potatoes. Your guests will revel in the smooth, indulgent texture that comes from two kinds of cheese, while Himalayan Pink Salt With Black Pepper and Garlic and optional bacon crumbles boost the umami factor.
WINTER DINNER RECIPES
HEARTY BEEF AND MUSHROOM STEW
This winter dinner recipe celebrates seasonal bounty, brimming with winter veggies including mushrooms and carrots. The fortifying dish is perfect for informal soirees as it can be prepared ahead and served as guests drop in and out. Pair it with crusty bread and one of the decadent desserts below for a truly satisfying meal.
ELECTRIC PRESSURE COOKER POT ROAST
The aroma of pot roast cooking all day is a winter favourite, but sometimes you just don’t have the time. To the rescue: your electric pressure cooker and Slow Cookers Pot Roast spices which allow you to create this winter classic in just over an hour, with a mere five minutes of prep time.
SKILLET CHICKEN POT PIE
The ultimate in winter comfort meals, pot pie is a crowd pleaser, evoking childhood memories with its captivating aroma. You can bring this homemade tradition to life without time-consuming prep, thanks to the combination of rotisserie chicken and frozen mixed vegetables that create the bubbling filling, crowned with a flaky golden topping made easy with refrigerated pie crust.
SHEPHERD'S PIE
This iconic winter staple has a rich gravy that tastes like you’ve spent all day stirring…when in reality it just takes a quick whisk of French's® Worcestershire Sauce and CLUB HOUSE BROWN GRAVY MIX in cold water. This is a fantastic way to use up leftover mashed potatoes—just revive them with a quick interlude under the broiler.
TRADITIONAL PATE CHINOIS
Can you tell we love shepherd’s pie? This Canadian version of the winter dinner recipe celebrates the province of Quebec’s cultural diversity through its French flourishes. Ground beef, sweet cream-style corn and aromatic onions meld together, while crispy mashed potatoes—enlivened with white Cheddar cheese curds—add texture.
WINTER DESSERTS
NANAIMO BARS
This three-layered no-bake dessert derives its name from its birthplace in the city of Nanaimo, B.C. The base is a sturdy graham cracker crust enhanced with sweetened flaked coconut, chopped walnuts and cocoa powder, topped with a silky layer of custard, followed by a fudgy chocolate ganache. These bars freeze like a dream so feel free to make them in advance.
BOURBON BALLS
Velvety chocolate meets bold bourbon and crunchy pecans to create elegant, bite-sized perfection. These boozy one-bite wonders will be a hit, whether you pass them around after the meal or box them up for a take-home treat.
MAPLE WALNUT SHORTBREAD COOKIES
Aiming for a well-balanced dessert tray? Pair the chocolatey treats above with the snap of something different. The buttery shortbread is subtly sweet, thanks to the hint of Imitation Maple Extract, while crushed walnuts contribute a pleasant texture.
WINTER BEVERAGES
SLOW COOKER PEPPERMINT HOT CHOCOLATE
This decadent drink combines two wintry taste sensations—chocolate and mint. For extra fun, set out a variety of toppings, like whipped cream, marshmallows, chocolate curls and crushed candy canes, so each guest can make this creamy indulgence their own.
SLOW COOKER RED WINE HOT CHOCOLATE
For another slow cooker option, try this spiked hot chocolate that reimagines the classic duo of red wine and chocolate. This beverage combines the depth of red wine with silky melted chocolate, punctuated by ground nutmeg and cinnamon, to create a sumptuous winter warmer.
SPICED CARAMEL APPLE CIDER
Elevate apple cider with caramel topping, Apple Pie Spice and Pure Vanilla Extract to warm up guests as they arrive and whet their appetite for the winter comfort foods that are to come.
