Bay Area Bites' Guide to Healthy Winter Soups and Salads

It's the time of year when we want healthy comfort foods. We want to curl up inside with a warm soup or restart our diets with a fresh salad. But just because the weather's turned a little cold, doesn't mean you can't still find delicious vegetables to make fresh winter soups and salads from scratch.

We've collected some of our favorite healthy winter recipes from over the years for you to try. Here are three tasty salads and three soups, including a homemade chicken stock that could serve as the base for other soups. Fill up on these healthy and fresh meals.

Kale Salad with Pomegranate, Tangerine and Avocado

Yes, I know, who needs another kale salad? But wait, this one combines earthy kale, creamy avocado, crunchy-juicy pomegranate seeds, and sweet tangerine all highlighted by tangy Meyer lemon and salty Parmesan.

Shaved Winter Vegetable Salad

With a citrusy dressing and a sprinkle of toasted nuts and salty cheese, this salad is a lovely addition to any winter table, either as a first course or even as a last course after the main meal and prior to dessert. It also makes a great lunch, especially when served alongside some chicken or topped with cheese or a poached egg.

Sauteed Winter Greens

There are a zillion different ways to sauté winter greens. Throw in your favorite add-ins and you'll have a completely different and tasty dish.

Creamy Roasted Butternut Squash Soup with Apples and Ginger

To make this a little more special than your everyday butternut squash soup, add a few tart apples, plenty of fresh ginger root, and a dash of cream. For a big gathering, serve this as passed appetizers in shot glasses, topped with a little dollop of crème fraiche and chopped fresh herbs for garnish.

Homemade Chicken Noodle Soup

Serve up big steaming bowls of this soup just like it is, or accompany it with crusty sourdough, levain or multigrain bread or even some great multigrain or whole wheat crackers.

Make Your Own Homemade Chicken Stock

The key to any good soup is a great homemade chicken stock. And it really is simple to make.