Totally Boise Blog

When Idaho winters hit full swing, the best kind of warmth comes from the kitchen. Between cozy soups simmering on the stove, skillet dinners shared with family, and cookies that taste like home, these are the dishes our Totally Boise team keeps coming back to every season.

Whether you’re looking for comfort food or something sweet to share with friends, here are three recipes that make cold days a little cozier, straight from our team’s kitchens to yours.

Spencer’s Favorite: Butternut Squash Soup

When the temperatures drop, Spencer reaches for his go-to comfort food: a creamy, velvety butternut squash soup that’s as good for the soul as it is for leftovers. Made with just ten simple ingredients, it’s wholesome, cozy, and full of fall flavor.

Ingredients

• 3 pounds butternut squash, peeled and cubed

• 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil

• 1 medium onion, chopped

• 2 cloves garlic, minced

• 1 tablespoon fresh sage, chopped

• 1 teaspoon fresh rosemary, chopped

• 1 tablespoon freshly grated ginger

• 4 cups vegetable broth

• Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste

• Chopped parsley and pepitas, for garnish

Instructions

1. Prep the veggies: Peel and cube the butternut squash, then chop the onion, garlic, and herbs.

2. Sauté: In a large pot, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add the onion, salt, and pepper, cooking until softened.

3. Add the flavor: Stir in the garlic, ginger, sage, rosemary, and butternut squash. Cook for 5–6 minutes until the squash begins to soften.

4. Simmer: Pour in the vegetable broth and bring to a gentle boil. Reduce the heat and simmer for 20 minutes, or until the squash is tender.

5. Blend: Transfer the soup to a blender and puree until smooth and creamy (work in batches if needed).

6. Serve: Pour into bowls and garnish with chopped parsley and pepitas for the perfect finish.

Totally Boise Tip: Spencer loves pairing this soup with crusty bread from Gaston’s Bakery and a glass of Idaho white wine for the perfect cozy night in.

Noelle’s Pick: Creamy Tomato Chicken Skillet Dinner

For Noelle, comfort food means one thing: a hearty, saucy skillet dinner that fills the whole house with a fantastic aroma. This one-pan wonder is as easy as it is delicious.

Rich tomato sauce, tender chicken, and creamy Parmesan goodness come together for the kind of dinner that’s simple enough for a weeknight but cozy enough for a weekend in.

Ingredients

• 1 ½ pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts (pounded to even thickness)

• 1 teaspoon salt

• ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

• 1 tablespoon olive oil

• 3 garlic cloves, minced

• 1 (15-ounce) can tomato sauce

• ½ cup heavy cream

• 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning

• ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)

• ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese

• 2 tablespoons fresh basil, chopped (plus more for garnish)

Instructions

1. Season the chicken: Sprinkle both sides with salt and pepper.

2. Cook the chicken: In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium-high heat. Add chicken and cook until golden brown, about 5–6 minutes per side. Remove and set aside.

3. Make the sauce: In the same skillet, add the garlic and sauté until fragrant. Stir in tomato sauce, heavy cream, Italian seasoning, and red pepper flakes. Simmer for 3–4 minutes.

4. Combine and finish: Stir in Parmesan until melted, then return the chicken to the pan. Spoon the sauce over the top and simmer for an additional 5 minutes, until fully cooked.

5. Serve and enjoy: Garnish with fresh basil and serve with pasta, roasted veggies, or garlic bread.

Totally Boise Tip: Pair this with a glass of local red from Laissez Faire Wine Co. and a cozy movie night for the ultimate Idaho winter combo.

Lauren’s Go-To: Old-Fashioned Molasses Cookies

Lauren’s kitchen starts smelling like cinnamon and cloves the minute the holidays roll around, and it’s because of these cookies. Passed down through her family, this recipe has been perfected with handwritten tweaks over the years (and yes, doubling the spices is the secret).

Soft in the center and just the right amount of chewy, these molasses cookies are pure comfort with every bite.

Ingredients

• 1 ½ cups Crisco or margarine

• 2 cups sugar

• 4 cups flour

• ½ cup molasses

• 2 eggs

• 4 teaspoons baking soda

• 1 teaspoon ground cloves

• 1 teaspoon ground ginger

• 1 teaspoon salt

• 3 teaspoons cinnamon

Instructions

1. Cream together margarine, sugar, molasses, and eggs until smooth.

2. In a separate bowl, combine flour, baking soda, cloves, ginger, salt, and cinnamon.

3. Slowly mix the dry ingredients into the wet mixture until they are well combined.

4. Chill dough in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours (or overnight for best flavor).

5. Roll into walnut-sized balls, coat in sugar, and place 2 inches apart on a greased cookie sheet.

6. Bake at 350°F for 8 minutes, or until the edges are slightly crisp and the centers are soft.

Totally Boise Tip: Lauren swears these taste best warm with a cup of Caffeina Coffee while wrapping gifts or watching the first snow of the season.

Cozy Up and Cook Local

When it’s snowing outside and you’re bundled up indoors, these recipes bring a little extra warmth to the table. From Spencer’s seasonal soup to Noelle’s creamy chicken skillet and Lauren’s nostalgic cookies, the Totally Boise team is here to help you make this winter delicious, one cozy meal at a time.