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FOODY FAVES!
GREAT COMFORT FOOD TO WARM YOU
ON THOSE COLD WINTER DAYS!

Short Rib Stew
- Contributed by Ethan Stowell
- ACTIVE: 45 MIN
- TOTAL TIME: 3 HRS 30 MIN
- SERVINGS: 8
When Ethan Stowell was growing up, his father was the family cook; beef stew was one of his specialties. Unlike his dad, who favored rump roast, Stowell uses short ribs, a marbled cut that turns fabulously succulent and tender when slow-simmered.
- ACTIVE: 45 MIN
- TOTAL TIME: 3 HRS 30 MIN
- SERVINGS: 8
INGREDIENTS
- Ingredients
- 3 1/2 pounds boneless beef short ribs, cut into 1 1/2-inch pieces
- 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
- 3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
- 2 cups dry red wine
- 3 cups veal or chicken stock
- 6 carrots, cut into 1/2-inch dice
- 1 1/2 pounds Yukon Gold potatoes, peeled and cut into 1/2-inch dice
- 3 medium parsnips, peeled and cut into 1/2-inch dice
- 1 large onion, cut into 1-inch dice
- 1/2 pound cremini mushrooms, quartered
- 1 tablespoon thyme leaves, chopped
- 8 sage leaves, coarsely chopped
- Kosher salt and freshly ground pepper
DIRECTIONS
- In a large bowl, toss the short ribs with the flour. In a large enameled cast-iron casserole, heat the oil. Working in batches, cook the short ribs over moderately high heat until browned all over, about 6 minutes per batch. Discard the oil.
- Return the meat and any juices to the casserole. Add the wine and boil until reduced by half, 8 minutes. Add the stock and bring to a simmer. Cover and cook over low heat until the meat is tender, 2 hours.
- Skim any fat from the stew. Stir in the carrots, potatoes, parsnips, onion, mushrooms, thyme and sage. Cover and simmer over low heat until the vegetables are tender, about 35 minutes. Season with salt and pepper and serve.
RECIPE
Yucatán Pork Stew with Ancho Chiles and Lime Juice
- Contributed by Tia Harrison
- ACTIVE: 40 MIN
- TOTAL TIME: 3 HRS 40 MIN
- SERVINGS: 8
Butcher-chef Tia Harrison finds making stew a versatile way to use cuts like pork shoulder, shanks and belly. Here she cooks the stew with pleasantly bitter ancho chiles.
- ACTIVE: 40 MIN
- TOTAL TIME: 3 HRS 40 MIN
- SERVINGS: 8
- MAKE-AHEAD
INGREDIENTS
- Ingredients
- 1/4 cup vegetable oil
- 4 1/2 pounds trimmed boneless pork shoulder, cut into 2-inch pieces
- Salt and freshly ground pepper
- 2 large white onions, cut into 1/2-inch pieces
- 8 garlic cloves, smashed
- 1 pound carrots, cut crosswise into 2-inch lengths
- 3 ancho chiles, seeded and cut into very thin strips with scissors
- 3 bay leaves
- Pinch of ground cloves
- 1/4 cup fresh lime juice
- 6 cups chicken stock
- 6 plum tomatoes, quartered lengthwise
- 2 tablespoons chopped cilantro
- Steamed white rice and sliced jalapeños, for serving
DIRECTIONS
- In a very large enameled cast-iron casserole, heat the vegetable oil until shimmering. Season the pork with salt and black pepper and add half of it to the casserole. Cook over moderate heat, turning, until browned all over, about 10 minutes. Using a slotted spoon, transfer the pork to a plate. Brown the remaining pork.
- Return all of the pork to the casserole along with any accumulated juices. Stir in the onions, garlic, carrots, chiles, bay leaves, cloves, lime juice and chicken stock. Season with salt and pepper and bring to a boil. Add the tomatoes, nestling them into the liquid. Cover and cook over low heat until the pork is very tender and the carrots are cooked through, about 3 hours. Discard the bay leaves and stir in the cilantro. Serve with rice and sliced jalapeños.
MAKE AHEAD
The stew can be refrigerated for up to 3 days. Reheat before serving.
Pot Roast
Recipe courtesy Paula Deen
- Prep Time: 10 min
- Inactive Prep Time:
- Cook Time: 8 hr 0 min
- Level: Easy
- Serves:6 servings

Ingredients
- 1 (3-pound) boneless chuck roast
- 1 1/2 teaspoons House seasoning, recipe follows
- 1/4 cup vegetable oil
- 1 onion, thinly sliced
- 3 bay leaves
- 3 or 4 beef bouillon cubes, crushed
- 2 garlic cloves, crushed
- 1 (10 3/4-ounce) can condensed cream of mushroom soup
- 1/2 cup Chardonnay
Directions
Sprinkle roast on all sides with house seasoning. Using a skillet over high heat, sear roast until brown in oil. Place roast in a slow cooker, and layer onions, bay leaves, crushed bouillon cubes, garlic, and cream of mushroom soup. Add the Chardonnay and cover with enough water to cover all of the ingredients. Cook on the low setting for 8 hours.
House Seasoning:
- 1 cup salt
- 1/4 cup black pepper
- 1/4 cup garlic powder
Mix ingredients together and store in an airtight container for up to 6 months
Glazed Cornish Hens With Pomegranate-Rice Stuffing
Recipe courtesy Food Network Magazine
- Prep Time: 30 min
- Inactive Prep Time: —
- Cook Time: 2 hr 0 min
- Level: Easy
- Serves: 4 to 6 servings

Ingredients
- 3/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- Kosher salt and freshly ground pepper
- 4 Cornish hens (about 1 1/4 pounds each), rinsed and dried
- 15 jarred grape leaves (optional)
- 3 cups low-sodium chicken broth
- 1 1/2 cups wild rice blend
- 6 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1 large shallot, minced
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- 3/4 teaspoon ground ginger
- 3/4 teaspoon ground cumin
- 3/4 cup pomegranate seeds, plus more for serving
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley, plus sprigs for serving
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro, plus sprigs for serving
- 3 large egg yolks
- 3/4 cup fresh orange juice
- 1 tablespoon pomegranate molasses
Directions
Mix the cinnamon, 4 teaspoons salt and 1/2 teaspoon pepper in a bowl; sprinkle all over the hens and inside the cavities. Place the hens on a rack set on a rimmed baking sheet and refrigerate, uncovered, at least 2 hours or overnight. Meanwhile, soak the grape leaves in water 1 hour.
Bring the chicken broth and 2 cups water to a boil in a saucepan; add the rice blend and cook as the label directs. Drain and rinse under cold water.
Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. Melt 4 tablespoons butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the shallot, garlic, ginger and cumin and cook, stirring, until soft, about 3 minutes. Remove from the heat; add the cooked rice, pomegranate seeds, and chopped parsley and cilantro; toss to coat. Season with salt and pepper. Add the egg yolks and stir to combine.
Make the glaze: Bring the orange juice and pomegranate molasses to a boil in a small skillet over medium heat. Cook until reduced by half, about 5 minutes. Remove from the heat and swirl in the remaining 2 tablespoons butter.
Fill the cavity of each hen with about 1/2 cup of the rice mixture (reserve the rest); tie the legs together with twine. Roast 20 minutes, then brush with the pomegranate glaze. Continue roasting, glazing every 10 minutes, until a thermometer inserted into the thigh registers 165 degrees F to 170 degrees F, 1 hour to 1 hour, 10 minutes. (Rotate the hens halfway through cooking; if the skin gets too dark, cover loosely with foil.)
Meanwhile, drain the grape leaves and pat dry. Use some of the leaves to line a 9-inch pie dish. Fill with the reserved rice mixture and drizzle with 2 tablespoons water. Cover with the remaining grape leaves, shiny side up, then cover with foil. (If you aren’t using grape leaves, spoon the rice into a pie dish, sprinkle with water and cover with foil.) After the hens have roasted about 20 minutes, transfer the rice to the oven and cook until heated through, about 45 minutes.
Transfer the hens to a platter and add some parsley and cilantro sprigs and pomegranate seeds. Peel the grape leaves off the top of the rice and serve alongside the hens.
HOW ABOUT A WARM SWEET DESERT TO FINISH YOUR COMFORT MEAL…
Bananas Flambe
Recipe courtesy Food Network Magazine
- Prep Time: 15 min
- Inactive Prep Time:–
- Cook Time: 2 min
- Level: Easy
- Serves: 6 servings

Ingredients
- 1 orange
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 3 tablespoons packed light brown sugar
- 1 vanilla bean, split lengthwise
- 1/4 cup orange liqueur or brandy
- Kosher salt
- 3 ripe bananas, peeled, halved lengthwise and crosswise
- 1/2 cup dark rum
- Whipped cream, for serving
Directions
Remove 4 strips orange zest with a vegetable peeler. Squeeze the orange and strain the juice.
Melt the butter with the sugar, orange zest and vanilla bean in a large skillet over medium heat. Cook, stirring, until the sugar caramelizes, about 5 minutes. Remove from the heat and stir in the liqueur, orange juice and a pinch of salt.
Return the skillet to medium heat, add the bananas, cut-side down, and cook until glazed and golden, 1 to 2 minutes. Remove from the heat and divide among bowls.
Add the rum to the pan and return to medium heat. Warm for a few seconds without stirring, then carefully tilt the pan so the rum ignites (if using an electric stove, hold a lit match near the sauce to ignite it). Spoon the flaming sauce over the bananas. Garnish with whipped cream and the glazed orange zest.
Photograph by Marcus Nilsson
Cornish Hens with Fruit, Walnuts,
and Honey Apple Glaze
INGREDIENTS:
-
- 2 tart apples, such as Granny Smith, peeled, cored, and diced
- 2/3 cup dried apricots, cut into thin slices
- 2/3 cup raisins
- 1 cup walnuts, chopped
- 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
- 2 tablespoons melted butter
- 1/4 cup apple juice
- 2 tablespoons honey
- 1/4 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 2 Cornish hens (about 1 1/4 pounds each), halved
- 1/4 teaspoon fresh-ground black pepper
-
DIRECTIONS
- Heat the oven to 425°. In a roasting pan, combine the apples, apricots, raisins,
- walnuts, cinnamon, and butter. Spread the mixture over the bottom of the pan.
- In a small bowl, combine the apple juice, honey, thyme, and 1/4 teaspoon of the salt
- to make a glaze. Sprinkle the Cornish hens with the remaining 1/4 teaspoon salt and
- the pepper and set them breast-side down on top of the fruit-and-nut mixture. Brush
- the hens with some of the glaze and then cook for 10 minutes.
- Remove the roasting pan from the oven. Stir the fruit-and-nut mixture and turn the hens over.
- Brush them with more of the glaze, return the pan to the oven, and cook until just done,
- about 15 minutes longer. Glaze the hens one final time and serve them with the fruit-and-nut dressing
SERVE WITH
Earthy wild rice or bulgar pilaf will balance the sweet fruit dressing here.
ENJOY!
Pork Chops with Apple, Fennel and Sage
- Contributed by Melissa Rubel Jacobson
- TOTAL TIME: 25 MIN
- SERVINGS: 4
Boneless, thin-cut pork chops can be fully cooked in three minutes, a fraction of the time it takes
to cook thicker chops. Here, F&W’s Melissa Rubel Jacobson combines the meat with a
few distinctly autumnal ingredients: sage, apple and hard cider.
INGREDIENTS
-
- 8 boneless, thin-cut pork chops (1 1/2 pounds)
- Kosher salt and freshly ground pepper
- 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1 leek, white and light green parts only, thinly sliced
- 1 fennel bulb—halved lengthwise, cored and thinly sliced crosswise
- 1 Fuji apple—halved lengthwise, cored and thinly sliced
- 8 small sage leaves, coarsely chopped
- 1 cup hard cider
DIRECTIONS
- Season the pork chops with salt and pepper. In a very large skillet, heat the olive oil until almost smoking. Cook the pork chops over high heat, turning once, until browned around the edges and just cooked through, about 3 minutes total. Transfer the pork chops to a plate and keep warm.
- In the same skillet, melt the butter. Add the leek and cook over moderate heat until tender, about 3 minutes. Add the fennel and apple and cook, stirring occasionally, until softened, about 4 minutes. Add the sage and cook until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Season with salt and pepper, transfer to a platter and keep warm.
- Pour the hard cider and any accumulated pork juices into the skillet and boil over high heat until thickened, about 4 minutes. Set the pork on top of the fennel and apples, pour the sauce over the pork and serve at once
Wild rice pilaf with cranberries and APPLES
Healthy Version…
Not a true rice at all, wild rice is the unpolished kernels of a wild grass native to the Great Lakes area. Wild rice is cooked differently from true rices —
it requires boiling in a larger quantity of water.
By Mayo Clinic staff
Serves 8
Ingredients
1/4 cup slivered almonds
3 cups water
1 1/2 cups wild rice, rinsed and drained
1/2 cup dried cranberries
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 tablespoon red wine vinegar
1 tablespoon sugar
2 Granny Smith apples, cored and diced
Directions
Preheat the oven to 325 F. Lightly coat a baking sheet with cooking spray.
Spread the almonds on the baking sheet and bake, stirring occasionally, until golden and fragrant, about 10 minutes. Transfer immediately to a plate to cool.
In a medium saucepan, bring 3 cups of water to a boil. Add the rice. Reduce heat and cover. Keep adding water as necessary to prevent the rice from drying out. Simmer until the rice is tender, about 45 to 60 minutes. Pour through a fine-meshed strainer to drain. Return the rice to the saucepan and stir in the dried cranberries. Cover and set aside.
In a small bowl, whisk together the oil, vinegar and sugar.
In a large bowl, combine the rice and diced apples. Add the oil mixture and toss to coat evenly. Serve warm or cold on individual plates. Top with toasted almonds.
Nutritional Analysis
(per serving)
Calories | 193 | Cholesterol | 0 mg |
Protein | 5 g | Sodium | 5 mg |
Carbohydrate | 32 g | Fiber | 4 g |
Total fat | 5 g | Potassium | 201 mg |
Saturated fat | 1 g | Calcium | 20 mg |
Monounsaturated fat | 4 g |
Mayo Clinic Healthy Weight Pyramid ServingsDiabetes Meal Plan ExchangesDash Eating Plan Servings
Cranberry and APPLE Wild Rice Pilaf
Ingredients:
Servings:
- 9 cups vegetable broth or chicken broth
- 1 1/3 cups wild rice, rinsed
- 1/4 cup butter or olive oil
- 3 large onions, chopped
- 3/4 teaspoon ground cardamom
- 1 teaspoon ground allspice
- 2 bay leaves
- 1 cup chopped peeled and cored fuji apples
- 1 cup craisins (dried cranberries)
- 1 cup golden raisin
- 2 teaspoons grated orange zest
- salt
- black pepper
- 1 1/2 cups long grain rice
- 1/2 cup pine nuts, toasted
Directions:
-
In a large saucepan, bring 6 cups of the broth and 6 cups of water to a boil; add wild rice and return to a boil.
-
Reduce heat and simmer uncovered, stirring occasionally, until rice is tender but firm, about 35-40 minutes.
-
In another saucepan, saute the onions in the butter until tender, about 10-12 minutes. Add APPLES and saute until soft.
-
Add the spices and stir until aromatic, then add the remaining broth and 3 cups of water, the cranberries, raisins, and orange zest.
-
Season with salt and pepper, bring to a boil, then add the white rice and reduce heat to low, cover, and cook until rice is tender, about 20 minutes.
-
Drain the wild rice.
-
Remove the bay leaves from the white rice and discard.
-
Mix together both rices and stir in the pine nuts; adjust seasonings if necessary.
-
Serve hot
Read more: http://www.food.com/recipe/cranberry-wild-rice-pilaf-46476#ixzz1Ze5Sohdu
Skillet Apple Charlotte
- Contributed by Jacques Pépin
INGREDIENTS
-
- 3 Granny Smith apples (about 1 1/2 pounds)—peeled, cored and cut into sixths
- 2 tablespoons pure maple syrup
- 1 tablespoon honey
- 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 4 slices of white sandwich bread, crusts removed
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- 3 tablespoons apricot preserves
- Sour cream for serving
-
DIRECTIONS
- Preheat the oven to 400°. In a 7- or 8-inch ovenproof nonstick skillet, arrange the apples snugly, cored side up. Add the maple syrup, honey and 2 tablespoons of the butter and bring to a boil over high heat. Reduce the heat to low, cover and cook, gently shaking the pan occasionally, until the apples are tender, 5 minutes. Uncover and cook over high heat, shaking the pan a few times, until the liquid is evaporated and the apples are caramelized 7 minutes.
- Arrange the bread slices in a square on a work surface. Trim the corners of the slices to form around the size of the skillet. Spread the bread with the remaining 1 tablespoon of butter and sprinkle with the sugar. Arrange the bread over the apples, sugared side up. Bake for 20 minutes, until the bread is toasted. Invert the charlotte onto a plate.
- 3. In a heatproof bowl, melt the apricot preserves in a microwave oven for 30 seconds. Spread the preserves over the apples. Cut into wedges and serve warm with a dollop of sour cream.
ENJOY!
Spelt Focaccia with Kale, Squash and Pecorino
How to Make It
In a large bowl, combine the spelt flour with the yeast, water, honey, 1 tablespoon of the olive oil and 3/4 teaspoon of kosher salt and stir until a dough forms. Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface and knead just until smooth, no more than 1 minute. Oil the bowl and return the dough to it. Let the dough rise, covered, in a warm, draft-free place until doubled in bulk, about 1 hour.
Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Punch down the dough, then transfer it to the baking sheet and press it into a 12-by-8-inch oval. Brush with 1 teaspoon of the olive oil. Press small indentations all over the dough and sprinkle with the rosemary and sea salt. Let the dough stand uncovered for 45 minutes, until slightly risen. Preheat the oven to 375°. Bake the focaccia for about 30 minutes, until lightly browned all over.
Meanwhile, in a bowl, toss the kale with the lemon juice, crushed red pepper and 1 teaspoon of oil. Squeeze the kale gently to soften it, then let it stand for 20 minutes.
In a large nonstick skillet, heat the remaining 1 teaspoon of oil. Add the squash, season with kosher salt and cook over moderately high heat until golden, 2 minutes. Turn the squash, add the garlic and cook over moderately low heat until the squash is tender, 5 minutes.
Top the focaccia with the kale and squash and bake for 1 minute longer, to heat the vegetables. Scatter the pecorino on top, cut into wedges and serve.
Chef’s Notes
Spelt is a type of wheat with a nutty, sweet flavor. Look for spelt flour in health-food stores.
One Serving 380 cal, 57 gm carb, 11 gm fat, 2.5 gm sat fat, 11 gm protein, 10 gm fiber, 610 mg sodium.
Maple-Roasted Brussels Sprouts
How to Make It
Heat the canola oil in a very large skillet until shimmering. Add the brussels sprouts and season with salt and pepper, then cook over high heat without stirring until they are browned, about 2 minutes. Add the unsalted butter and brown sugar and cook over moderately high heat, stirring occasionally, until the brown sugar is melted. Add the maple syrup and cook, stirring occasionally, until the brussels sprouts are just crisp-tender, about 7 minutes. Stir in the cider vinegar. Add the chestnuts and walnut oil and cook until hot.
Using a slotted spoon, transfer the brussels sprouts and chestnuts to a bowl. Boil the cooking liquid over high heat until thickened slightly, about 2 minutes. Pour the sauce over the brussels sprouts and serve.
Swiss Chard and Leek Gratin
How to Make It
In a large pot of boiling water, blanch the chard in batches until wilted, about 1 minute. Drain the chard, squeeze dry and chop it.
Heat the oil in the pot. Add the leeks and a pinch of salt. Cover and cook over moderately low heat, stirring, until tender, 7 minutes. Uncover, add the garlic and cook, stirring, until fragrant, 2 minutes. Add the chard, season with salt and remove from the heat.
Preheat the oven to 425°. Butter a 10-by-15-inch baking dish. In a large saucepan, melt the butter. Stir in the flour over moderate heat to form a paste. Gradually whisk in one-third of the milk and cook, whisking, until the mixture starts to thicken. Repeat two more times with the remaining milk. Bring the sauce to a boil, whisking constantly. Reduce the heat to low and cook, whisking often, until thickened and no floury taste remains, 15 minutes. Whisk in the cheeses and the nutmeg; season with salt and pepper. Mix the sauce into the leeks and chard. Season with salt and pepper.
Transfer the mixture to the prepared baking dish. Bake in the upper third of the oven for about 25 minutes, until bubbling and golden brown on top. Let rest for at least 10 minutes before serving.
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