Hearty Comfort Foods for Cold Weather
Wednesday, January 12, 2011 at 1:31PM in Main Dish, Meatless Monday, Pork, Potatoes, Poultry, Sauce, Soup, Stew, baking, beef, chili, lunch, pasta, pizza, recipes, vegetarian Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow! So excited--we’re getting another winter storm today. This is only the second one so far this winter! We’re way behind. The more, the better, I say!
It got me thinking about comfort food, though. What’s better on a cold, snowy day, than something simmering away on the stovetop, or bubbling away in the oven? Not only does it warm the house, but it warms the soul. Sound corny? Maybe. Do me a favor--go outside in the cold for a few minutes. Then walk back in the house. Smell anything good cooking? No? The scents of comfort food welcoming you back in from the cold would be pretty awesome, right now, wouldn’t it?
It’s been a while, hasn’t it? Sorry! We’ve all been sick in the Elle’s Kitchen house. It started with a terrible stomach flu that hit us on Christmas Eve. Thank God we didn’t all get it at once! That would have been awful, wouldn’t it? Though, maybe getting it all over with at once would have been better… That weakened us all and we’ve all been hit with colds, fevers, ear infections, coughing, sneezing--you name it. We’re slowly getting back to normal, though! (As I sit here with a pile of tissues that’s starting to resemble Kilimanjaro.) Ugh.
We haven’t been eating anything terribly exciting, either, which translates to nothing to blog about. There are only so many chicken soup recipes you can look at, right? So! In an attempt to get something useful posted, I’ve decided on a round up of past posts that will fall into the “Comfort Food” category.
A Baker's Dozen Hearty Cold Weather Recipes
1) Minestrone
2) Chili with Pork and Chickpeas
4) Quinoa Polenta with Sautéed Lentils and Portobellos
9) Butternut Squash Soup with Roasted Cauliflower
I hope you find something you like in this list! All of these will cure the winter weather blues, for sure. Whether you’re snowed in or not. All warm and hearty, and they sure make the house smell great! So welcome someone you love in from the cold with one of these dishes, and they’ll be feeling the love!
Reader Comments (16)
OMG, I am so hungry now and in much need of comfort. I would have an order of each except anything w/pork and shellfish. Please?! Seriously, very hungry haven't had lunch!
Elle, you're happy to have another storm, can anyone say,"blizzard"! Have had enough now, making soup myself, the ubiquitous Rhode Island/southeatern Mass. favorite, Venus de Milo soup. It's hearty tomato based with veggies and macaroni,yum! Stay warm.
all i want is warm food right now, and that chili with pork and chickpeas has my name written ALL over it!
I've made your Quinoa Polenta Lentil Portabello Mushrooms recipe - twice! It's a keeper, and definitely in the comfort food category. Now, I'm sorry I didn't pick up mushrooms when I was at the store, just now. Waaaah!
Mmmmmm-mmmmmmm GOOD! All of these are comfort foods in my book and while we've had a few snows already this season, we've managed to dodge the 'big' ones - one blizzard per winter is good, anymore than that . . .
You hope I find something...SOMETHING I like on the list? Geez...just box it all up and email it to me please.
I found one with out even having to scroll down. The minestrone soup caught my eye immediately!
We are on a serious comfort food kick right now too. Gave you a stumble on this.
After lots of shoveling and snow blowing I am SO thankful I had soup and cornbread in the fridge ready to heat up for dinner! This is the most snow in a 24 hour period CT has had since 1888 and we have at least 19 inches in our yard. We're headed to CA in a few months so what a way to do up our last winter in CT!! I'm going to miss the snow, that's for sure.
All of these look so good, what to pick?! Thanks for posting such a good variety to look back over!!
Thank you so much for your take on snowed in comfort food. I live in North Georgia about 35 miles just North of Atlanta and we have been snowed in since Saturday night. We actually had a white Christmas it stayed on the ground about 3 days and gone. But this time we had snow then ice, more snow and ice. And the temps have been way below freezing the entire time. I will put this in my index for future snowed in and anytime recipes. I was able to get to the store before it all came in. But was not expecting to be unbable to travel for this long. I have made alot of really appetizing creations using ramen noodles, from Pho' to Thai coconut ginger with shrimp to ramen and eggs and tofu and chorizo. It's amazing what cheap instant ramen can do with some pantry and freezer staples. Love your Blog!!! Keep up the great work.
I would definitely find comfort in ALL of those meals!
Oh I love the Buttersquash Cauliflower soup but must admit to being very intrigued by your other offerings, especially the pork chili. Must start new list. :)
Feel better you guys! Guess you read my last post a little too late, or more likely I posted it too late! I guess I owe you one! :)
What a fabulous round-up of comforting recipes. Your Quinoa Polenta with Sautéed Lentils and Portobellos looks delicious. And I love how you added cauliflower to your butternut squash soup. Stay warm.
These all look fantastic! Now I'm hungry!
Glad you feel better... your minestrone look way better than the one i made today, we needed a good dose of vitamins and comfort with all this SNOW we are getting, it's crazy!!!!
Love everything, all looks fantastic!