Now that the New Year is officially underway, you've got no shortage of reasons for eating healthy vegetarian meals at least once a week. Besides the colder weather being conducive to home-cooking, slow-simmering and bite-savoring goodness, you can reduce your impact on the environment and improve your health by cooking a veg meal. Check out the latest recipe greatness from the vegan blogosphere this week, and get cooking!

Nothing says winter (or yumm) like this delectable miso soup recipe we found on VegKitchen.com. Fresh veggies, fermented soybean miso paste and a mushroom broth make an irresistible, aromatic soup base, perfect for a bounty of hearty seasonal veggies. Add your favorites, serve over noodles or rice and sip in the warming goodness.

Chickpeas are a staple in any self-respecting vegetarian pantry, and make the perfect comfort food meal along with biscuits, roasted beets or sweet potatoes and sautéed greens in this Chickpeas with Thyme Gravy recipe from QuantumVegan.com.

And from the OA archives, we've got plenty of warming seasonal eats, too: An easy Rustic Roasted Cauliflower that will liven up any meal or make a worthy centerpiece on its own; Brussels Sprouts with Shiitake Mushrooms and Crispy Shallots look gorgeous if you're cooking for guests, and it's a recipe that delivers flavor and nutrients, too; warm up over your stove as you stir your way to goodness with a creamy, vegan, wintery risotto. It's the quintessential meal when it's cold outside, and you can make it with surprisingly few ingredients that may have been lingering in your cabinets—perfect for a snow day.

Keep in touch with Jill on Twitter @jillettinger

Image: norwichnuts