Surviving the season of cold rain while quarantined at home can be tough, but with some simple, warm and quick recipes, survival can be easier. With some honey, a cup of tea and a bowl of soup, you can bolster your immune system and stay cozy at home.

Here are some simple recipes for you to keep warm on a winter’s night or to help soothe sore throats.

Old Fashioned Apple Dumplings:

If you’re looking for a sweet treat to keep your belly warm and a new winter recipe to love, a bowl of steaming apple dumplings is the recipe for you. Like a bowl of your favorite soup, apple dumplings will be like a nostalgic memory for the winter season. This recipe is from thesouthernladycooks.com and serves six. Instead of blackberries, I substituted apples.

Ingredients for apple mixture:

• 3 cups of diced apples (Gala or Granny Smith)
• ¼ cup white granulated sugar
• 2 cups water
• ¼ teaspoon nutmeg
• For the dumplings, you can use a can of Pillsbury biscuit dough

Or

• You can use this basic dough recipe from scratch
• Ingredients for homemade dumplings-
• 1 ¼ cups all-purpose flour
• ¼ cup white granulated sugar
• 1 ½ teaspoons baking powder
• ½ teaspoon salt
• ¾ cup milk

Instructions:

1. Combine apples, sugar, water, and nutmeg in a Dutch oven or a large pot on stove. Bring to a boil and then turn down to medium heat and let boil, then cover the pot.

If you’re making the dumplings from scratch:

2. In a bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt. Add milk into flour mixture and mix with a spoon.
3. Pinch off pieces of the dough and roll into a ball.
4. Remove the lid from the pot and drop in the dumplings.
5. Replace the lid and cook mixture for about 5 to 7 minutes until the dumplings are cooked.
6. Once cooked, serve in a bowl.

Five ingredient chili:

Chili is a classic dish to keep you warm during the winter. With only five  simple ingredients, a 25-minute cook and prep time and only a handful of instructions, this chili is college student friendly. This recipe is from gimmesomeoven.com and serves about 4-6 people.

Ingredients:

• 1 lb. ground beef
• 1 small white onion diced
• 3 (15 oz.) diced tomatoes with green chilies
• 2 (15 oz.) cans beans, drained
• 2 Tbsp. chili powder

Instructions:

In a large stockpot, cook ground beef over medium-high heat until browned, stirring frequently. Using a slotted spoon, transfer the cooked beef to a separate plate and set aside. Reserve 1 tablespoon of grease in the stockpot and discard the rest. Add the onion to the stockpot and sauté for 4-5 minutes, or until soft. Add remaining ingredients and the cooked beef to the stockpot and stir to combine. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to medium-low, cover and simmer for 10 minutes. Serve in a bowl.

Five ingredient broccoli cheese soup:

A fan favorite of Panera Bread is their classic broccoli cheddar soup. This recipe uses only five ingredients and takes about 25 minutes to prepare. With a warm bowl of soup, conquering the cold weather and the flu becomes much easier. This recipe is also from gimmesomeoven.com and serves about 2-4 people.

Ingredients:

• 3 cups chicken or vegetable stock
• 2 cups chopped broccoli florets, fresh or frozen
• 1 small white onion, diced (about 1 cup)
• 1 (15 oz.) can evaporated milk
• 2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese
• Pinches of salt and pepper

Instructions:

Stir together stock, diced onion and broccoli in a medium saucepan. Heat over medium heat until it comes to a low boil. Reduce heat to medium and continue boiling for about 5 minutes, or until the onions are tender. Stir in the evaporated milk and continue cooking for 3 minutes or until the mixture returns to a simmer. Remove from heat and stir in the cheese until melted. Season soup with salt and pepper to taste. Serve in a bowl.

Honey cinnamon star anise tea:

Tea can be used as a healing method for sore throats, broken hearts, or colds. Accompanied with honey, the tea can help coat and provide relief for sore or strep throat. A cup of tea not only helps one to recover from a cold, but it also can be yet another warm liquid that helps keep you warm in the colder weather. This recipe is from muchbutter.com and serves 4.

Ingredients:

• 1 stick cinnamon
• 6 star anise
• 1 L water
• 2 packets black tea
• Honey to taste

Instructions:

In a saucepan, add 1 L water, cinnamon and star anise. Boil for about 10 minutes. Turn off the heat. Add black tea and steep for 3 minutes. In a mug, add the cinnamon star anise tea. Add honey to your taste. Serve while hot.

Homemade apple tea:

Similar to apple cider, this tea is fragrant with smells of fall spices and apples. This tea is great for casual sipping or for brewing in the morning to drink with your breakfast. This recipe is from inspirededibles.ca and serves 4.

Ingredients:

• The peels and cores of 4 apples
• 1 stick of cinnamon
• 1 star anise
• 4 cups of water
• 1 Tbsp grated ginger root, or to taste
• Honey or lemon to taste

Instructions:

Place apple peels, cores and spices in a pot with 4 cups of water. Bring to a gentle boil and then reduce heat to simmer for about 10 minutes. Turn off heat and allow the mixture to steep for another 20 minutes or so. Pour the tea through a fine mesh strainer into a tea pot or directly into individual cups. Add a touch of honey and a squeeze of lemon (if desired).

Cinnamon sore throat tea:

This tea is a remedy specifically meant to help heal sore or strep throats, though it can also be enjoyed as a simple cup of tea to enjoy in the cold weather. This recipe is from keyingredient.com and serves 1.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup milk
• ½ teaspoon cinnamon
• ½ teaspoon powdered ginger
• 1 Tbsp honey

Instructions:

Heat milk on low until hot but not boiling. Stir in the cinnamon and ginger. Add honey to sweeten it. Serve in a cup.

Homemade hot chocolate:

This recipe acts as both a chocolate delight to warm you up, but also bring back nostalgic memories of childhood. This recipe is from tasteofhome.com and makes five cups.

Ingredients:

• ½ cup sugar
• ¼ cup
• A dash of salt
• 1/3 cup hot water
• 4 cups milk
• ¾ teaspoon vanilla extract

Miniature marshmallows, sweetened whipped cream, or cinnamon sticks (optional)

Instructions:

In a saucepan, combine sugar, cocoa and salt. Add water and bring to a boil. Cook and stir for 2 minutes. Stir in milk and heat to a serving temperature (do not boil). Remove from the heat and stir in vanilla. Whisk until frothy. If desired, garnish with marshmallows, cream, or cinnamon sticks.